I can think of no better writer's workshop than right here.

Perhaps if we want want full critique (as opposed to the "attaboys/girls" we're so free with here in these parts), maybe we could tag posts "workshop" and brace ourselves for what comes.

A "real" writer's workshop is just writers (like, er, us) exchanging work and frank, open, constructive criticism.

VR, I LOVE the idea of tagging posts "writing workshop." Bradley, I don't know of any workshops in your area, but I absolutely recommend them. Look at universities with writing programs within a 50 mile radius and search them for "professional writing workshops.

VR, I LOVE the idea of tagging posts "writing workshop." Bradley, I don't know of any workshops in your area, but I absolutely recommend them. Look at universities with writing programs within a 50 mile radius and search them for "professional writing workshops.

Bradley, I am writing workshop groupie, and I'm proud of it. The first thing I did when the kids and husband left was to take a writing workshop with the "Wild Writing Women," in San Francisco. I flew out there, and had a blast. Because of them, I started my first blog.
I'm from the Midwest, a next door neighbor to the Iowa Writers Workshop,which is an incredible experience for those who have two years to devote to a writing project. But, they also have a summer short course, and an online list of resources. It was there I learned about Sheila Bender, a dynamite lady who has written several books on writing and journaling, who also has online classes which are good. They are no substitute for joining her in person for her annual "Writing it Real Workshop" in Port Townsend, Washington. Sheila says that we, as writers, need to support each other by going to book readings, giving readings, anything to support the writing life.

The third workshop I attended was with Spirituality and Health's Transformational Travel columnist, Judith Fein. I can't say enough good about traveling to Guatemala with her, Paul Ross her photographer husband, and Pat Reed editor of the Santa Fe Chronicle. What an experience to do so much in a day that you swear a week has gone by! And writing by 20-watt light bulb is possible, if difficult, especially if you have your laptop.

I have met a wonderful supportive array of people who come into and out of my life, and have improved my writing and found inspiration, too. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for their tribe. I feel like mine is with other writers. Here and there.

Definately, come out of your box and have fun with the literary world. You can only gain from it!

that's a good idea, VR.

I've been to a few professional workshops, where you pay to play. I won't attend one again, though that isn't to say they are all bad. I just didn't learn anything I didn't already know, and the main thing to know as a writer is, if you want to be a better writer, you have to write. A lot. Steadily. You have to learn how to write good sentences (that sounds silly but it's core, actually, to being a writer). You have to develop your own vice - which you do by hearing criticism of your writing (and being open to that criticism), and reading, reading, reading.

I belonged to a writing group for about 5 years. We met every 2 weeks for 3 hours, and each session we critiqued 2 short stories. This experience was a big part of me 'finding my voice." When that ended, I took the workshop offered by Cary Tennis, which met once a week for 12 weeks, 3 hours per session - there, we write using prompts. Hearing other good writers' work was really inspiring. Writing with prompts forced me to stop wondering what to write about and wondering if what I write is any good and just freakin' write, already.

Like Verbal said, OS is a pretty good workshop. Look for good writing, and follow those writers. And make a point to write regularly. I write daily, though I am not a 'real' writer (I have never sold anything for publication). I notice that I write much more quickly/fluidly/better when I keep the muscle exercised.

my .02!

um, that's voice, not vice. ah, the wonderful world of typos. Better stick to my day job in pubic relations.

You're in it.

This is fantastic. Thanks so much, everyone. Just what I was looking for.
VR - I would like also for OS to have a corner for real critiquing. I would definitely use it.

You can find out about workshops (time, location, costs) in writing periodicals such as _Poets and Writers_ and similar. Just find a bookstore with a large selection of periodicals, locate the artsy stuff, and browse the offerings. This is a good time, too, because most workshops are in summer and take applications January-March.

Beyond that, it can be a hit-or-miss experience. I've had more hits than misses, by which I mean workshops that provoked me in the right kind of way. The best workshop won't just give you specific responses on pieces, but insight into deeper structures so that your future work will be better. The "miss" aspect involves the crap-shoot of instructor and participant personalities in any give workshop.

Bradley,

I read Proust as much as I can....also Balzac, Jane Austin, and Henry Miller. These are old farts, but the writing rings truer than anything I can imagine to exist in a sane world. It has guided me in forceful ways that I have never mistaken for the wrong path, but a path that moved me to a greater truth.......in the solitude of my desk drooling out the troubles and goodness of our so many days....

We should read 50-100 books a year (it's what i hear). You have to put in to take out. Stay here and play awhile. Make friends and read their stuff.

I'm with both Verbal and Gary. Proust and Nabokov and Garcia Marquez make me feel like squashed love bugs on the windshield. But you have to find your own "voice" as Sandra says and keep exercising and stretching it until it becomes the only voice with which you feel comfortable to speak (or in this case, write). I think a tag of "workshop" would be an EXCELLENT way to get some valuable criticism. Whose voice would matter or be considered judgmental would be another story. We are all so right and sure of ourselves, aren't we? Sounds like a great subsection for Kerry and Joan to consider. I hear a post lurking in my head right now whereby we could get enough votes to have them agree to bring in some of the "pros" to tell us ALL what we need to know. Rated.

I am like you. learning, growing, I pray may I never succeed in being learned, or grown.

VR said it perfectly. Here, right here.

And the only advise I have ever found to be flawlessly valuable, is the old saw, and it is true, true, true, "Write what you know."

Tell us about what you love and hate, allow us to know how you truly feel, feel it while you write it. The feeling will show through.

And that sir is really the only lesson any of us really needs. LOL In my opinion, of course.

Dean

As others have said, it always comes down to the basics: write every day, read what others write (and not just online) and don't take your writing overly seriously. In other words, accept feedback and even criticism -- take what you want and leave the rest. Writing on tight daily deadlines for more than 20 years was a charm for me but I found when I wasn't doing that job any more, writing became much more difficult.

I belonged to a writers' group for about 4 years and will probably go back to it at some point. Being a part of that taught me to listen carefully to others' work, and pay more careful attention to my own.

OS has been a catalyst for me to write again -- I have so many ideas I don't know where to start. One thing I do know is that when I am surrounded by many good writers as I am at OS, my own work becomes better. That's the best kind of writing workshop and outcome there is.

I read this article about late bloomers that inspired me (http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/10/20/081020fa_fact_gladwell?currentPage=all). Ben Fountain sounds a lot like you, who started writing later in life. He struggled for a couple of decades before breaking out. Made me feel a lot self conscious about my age.