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7 Lessons You’ll Learn from a Writer’s Workshop
by Writing Workshops Staff
4 years ago
You’re embarking on a long and thrilling journey, dear writer.
Without support, putting words on the page can feel like punishment, pitting us against the forces of fear, isolation, and despair. With support, your path to publication is accompanied by clarity, joy, and community.
If you’ve never considered a writer’s workshop before, now is the time to see what it’s all about! It can’t hurt, right? Here are 7 ways that a writer’s workshop can help shape your words on the page into something you are truly proud of (and make the process of doing so just a little bit easier):
Find Like-Minded Support
Mastering your craft doesn’t have to be an isolating process. It might sound trivial, but this is by far one of the most important takeaways that so many writers gain from a writing workshop. Often, setting out to write something can feel like a lonely endeavor. With a group of like-minded individuals sharing your journey, you’ll glean support that helps push you over the hurdles writers so often encounter while shaping their stories.
Clarify Your Ideas
Do you have an idea that’s just waiting for the right moment to jump on the page, straddling the wobbly border between your conscious and unconscious mind? We’ve all been there. Sometimes, sheer will simply isn’t enough to push a potential idea over the ethereal wall and onto grounded land. Through a writer’s workshop, you’ll clarify your exact message so you can write with conviction and confidence.
Integrate Feedback
Sensitivity is a double-edged sword. It’s a driving force behind the depth of our characters and the weight of our themes, and allows us to weave irresistible narratives based on our acute observations. However, it can also prevent us from accepting feedback that could be the make-or-break insight we need. When you join a writer’s workshop, a small and safe group of open-minded writers will explore your work with you, illuminating blind spots that you can rework for clarity and impact.
Sharpen Your Skill Set
A writer’s workshop provides you with the tools you need to hone your craft beyond what you imagined possible. Whether it’s a fiction mentorship, a poetry course, or a dynamic dialogue workshop, these communities are led by esteemed writers who are experienced in forging the path to success.
Spark Your Creativity
You’re halfway through a screenplay, when suddenly your mind descends into a puddle of sludge. The next scene feels like a static television screen, unable to produce a clear and compelling image. Whether it’s a book of poems, a collection of personal essays, or a magical realism novel, lack of inspiration plagues the best of us at times. Through group exercises, writing prompts, and stimulating conversations, a writer’s workshop will teach you to overcome the blockages that so often interfere with our ability to continue writing.
Establish Discipline
Inspiration will only take you so far. However, the spark can be fleeting, and there’s a lesson to be had in learning to feed the fire for long-lasting fuel. That’s where writing workshops come into play. There’s nothing quite like the accountability of a group and a mentor to keep us committed to our craft. When you’re working within a pod of other writers who are also deliberate about cultivating discipline, a routine will become a powerful part of your process. Learn from mentors who have established practices that have led to prolific writing careers.
Chart Your Path to Publication
“So how am I ever going to get this darn thing published?” So many writers ask themselves this question throughout their writing journeys. What happens when the very last word is committed to the page, and you’re ready to share your work with the world? A writer’s workshop will teach you the way forward, offering the opportunity to discover how world class writers have gotten their works published.
Simply put, a writer’s workshop can revolutionize the relationship you have with your craft. Discover more about our workshops and mentorships on our classes page!
