I’m curious: what do you think about writing workshops–specifically workshops that are a few days to a week long?
I met my husband at the Appalachian Writers’ Workshop, in Hindman, Kentucky. He was teaching fiction and I was a newbie writer. (It’s okay. You can smirk. Lots of people have over the years!) I’d never workshopped stories outside the classroom. I’d also never slept in a cabin dormitory, 4 sleepers to a cubby, or washed dishes in a camp kitchen, so the whole week was full of new experiences.
Workshops are intimate. (No, not that kind of intimate, though sometimes there’s, um, activity between consenting adults that can be awkward for everyone. Think of summer camp, or high school. But it doesn’t have to be that way.) Participants work with the same teacher, and the same group of writers, for several days in a row. You get to know each other, and group dynamics emerge quickly. If the instructor is good at their job, it becomes a space where people feel comfortable sharing their work, and receiving and giving thoughtful criticism.
It’s nice spending time with like-minded writers in real life, as opposed to hanging out online. In a well-run workshop, the writer must listen to everyone’s critique before they speak about their own work. Because a writer needs to learn that they can’t be on the shoulder of every reader to explain what they meant if something isn’t clear or understandable to that reader. The work has to speak for itself. BUT the good news is that most workshops schedule plenty of downtime. Often the real learning happens over dinner, around a campfire, or over a glass of wine or two. It’s good to share the journey. And don’t forget the networking thing. It’s important. At a workshop, you can meet professionals (often agents and editors), and form friendships with other writers that can last for a lifetime.
Am I trying to sell you on workshops, or a particular workshop? No. While I encourage you to give one a try, they’re not for everyone. I was scheduled to teach at a workshop in June, but money is tight all around, and my class didn’t fill. It’s disappointing, but I look forward to staying home and writing. Maybe next year.
There are many more glamorous spots for writers’ conferences than Eastern Kentucky–I went there because the mountains were home to my grandfather, and because it was economical. If you want to get exotic, you could go to the workshops at Positano. But you must take me with you.
Tell us your thoughts on writing workshops. Are there any you would recommend to other writers?
I went to a workshop on writing psychological thrillers with Arvon (in England) last year. It was fantastic – instructors and students – everything! Also fairly economical considering it included room and board in a 16th century Manor house out in the country.
That sounds like a great experience, Jacq. But have you heard of any thriller workshops in the US?
I hope Jacq will answer as well, but I wanted to say that I haven’t heard of any. The workshop in Virginia I was scheduled to teach was going to be on writing mysteries, but I think the advertising for the program focused more on literary fiction writers and didn’t reach the right people. ?
No, I haven’t heard of any – and I looked. But I’m not from the US (Canada), so it wasn’t much pricier to fly to London than elsewhere. It was taught by Alex Marwood (Edgar winner for The Wicked Girls) and M.J. McGrath.
I heard that some other general writing workshops can have a bit more drama/emotion than ours did. Since our average participant age was about 45 or so, everyone was very down to earth and the quality of writing of everyone was remarkable. Lots of alone time, writing time, great insights by instructors and attendees and because it was genre specific, we’d all read many of the same books so it was like being with old friends almost immediately.
I want to go to this, or teach in it, or something. Sounds like so much fun. Well done, you, Jacq!
Game developers have Train Jam. They board a train in Chicago bound for GDC, and in the time it takes for the train to get there, they make a game. I’ve always wanted to do something like that as a writer. Hang out with people, watch the scenery go by, and bang out some words. It sounds amazing.
This definitely sounds amazing, Leah. Amtrak had a Writers in Residence program, but that was just for individual writers. They’ve since stopped it.
I think a mystery/thriller train sounds absolutely perfect!
I recently went to a writer’s retreat–my first, although I’ve been to plenty of conferences. It was a long weekend, and there were a couple of workshops (recapping those on my own blog), and lots of downtime. It was held at a convent/retreat center in Colorado Springs. Plenty of downtime, plenty of writing time, and plenty of ‘being with other people who ‘get it’ time. I’d go back.
And all in a beautiful setting. I’m glad you had a great experience, Terry. Thanks for sharing it.
That sounds like my idea of fun!
I’ve never been to a writers’ retreat. Not sure how much work I’d get done. With people around, I’d want to socialize. It sounds like a fun experience, though!
I hear you, Sue. There is definitely that temptation. But you’re usually assigned homework to share with the workshop the next day. In my workshops, we do a few in-class exercises, but also take a look at the assignments folks worked on overnight
I’ve never been to a long writers’ workshop. I’ve been to several single-day events. Went to a convention or two that were several days, but those weren’t focused on craft. For my day job, I work for a “traditional style” family resort (lots of rustic-modern cabins — they all have toilets and kitchens but aren’t super fancy), and I’ve often thought about hosting a writers’ workshop/retreat/camp here because (frankly) most of the workshops I’d be interested in happen over the summer when I’m tethered to the resort. (Winter is my down time.)
The idea of writers’ workshops like these intrigues me but also frightens me a little bit. Something about being in such intimate quarters with other people. Laura, you make the whole process sound fun and exciting. Perhaps I’ll have to look into it further.
Hi, Ryan. I really do think it’s fun. There’s something about spending concentrated time with other writers that gets the creativity flowing. I confess that I no longer share sleeping rooms with strangers. It just feels awkward to me. Often, people will show up with friends they want to share with, and others actually enjoy it. You could offer solo cabins as a premium option. You should definitely consider it if it sounds enjoyable to you.
I have taught at several writers’ retreats, and I think it’s a very worthwhile experience for students and teachers alike. There’s something about the close proximity of like-minded creative people that spurs creativity. Even if not a lot of writing gets done there during the weekend, the energy generated by the workshop lives on. Also, I’ve forged some lasting friendships from them.
That said, one requirement for me is my own bedroom. I want to be able to scratch and snore without fear of waking others, just as I prefer not to be awakened by other people’s scratching and snoring.
“Scratching and snoring.” Exactly. Also, I occasionally wake up screaming. Last time, my husband woke me out of my screaming fit, and when he asked me what was wrong, I apparently said, “I have to get my blog and podcast done.” #truestory
I’ve been to conferences, but never a specific workshop. It’s on my list. Now, I will say we are in the planning phases of a women-writer-only party house (men by invitation of course) for BCon 2018 in Florida.
Terri
What a terrific idea, Terri. I’m sure you’ll have a great time!
As a present for graduation from college, my mother sent me to the University of Oklahoma Writer’s Conference. I learned so very much–including an image I’ve never been able to forget.
One writer told us about the experience of a friend of his accidentally getting his entire book manuscript shredded by the publishing company. The horror of it was, the writer had lost his backup documents. The writer has never been able to reproduce the book exactly as it was. The publishing company’s compensation and I’m-sorry note was nice. But . . .
I would never would have been able to share in the groans and gasps of the writers if I had not been at the conference.
Also, the conference inspired me enough to eventually–three years later–to actually move to Norman and enroll in writing class as a special student. (Awright, awright. Of COURSE I mean as a student not pursuing a degree.)
The conference was worth it all.
Wow. What a horror story, Jim. Backup. Backup. Backup.
What a lovely gift from your mother–a lifetime of writing! I, also, was a “special student.” It was a great way to learn–when I was really ready.
I went to a wonderful Writers retreat at a scenic New England beach organized by Writer’s Digest, and the entire experience was fabulous. Lots of bonding, creative energy, and great feedback! Sessions were led by a well known author and an agent, who shared a lot of valuable information from their different perspectives.
That sounds wonderful. Writer’s Digest does quality events–and excellent books. I found the Appalachian Writers’ Workshop in one of their magazines. So, really, they introduced me to my husband, lol.
I’ve been to several one day workshops and a couple of two-day writer’s conferences. While all were useful, now I prefer to have a writer’s retreat – whether it’s just me getting away for a few days or with a group with plenty of time for writing.
Retreats are, indeed, wonderful, Joan. I agree. Workshops are a great place to energize and renew. How cool would it be to do a workshop, then do a beach retreat for a week?!