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From Film Editing Room to Memoir Stardom: Lisa Cheek's Comedic Writing Journey
by Writing Workshops Staff
4 days ago
When Lisa Cheek describes what she enjoyed most about her writing workshop experience, she doesn't talk about craft techniques or revision strategies. Instead, she lights up about something more fundamental: "How Elissa made everyone feel they could write comedy."
That confidence-building moment proved transformative for Lisa, a Los Angeles-based writer who came to WritingWorkshops.com after spending twenty-five years editing feature films and TV commercials. Her transition from behind the editing bay to behind the keyboard has been nothing short of remarkable, and she's not slowing down.
Lisa enrolled in Writing Funny Personal Essays, a Zoom Seminar with Elissa Bassist, looking for ideas for essays and fresh approaches to her memoir work. What she found was an instructor whose teaching philosophy unlocked an essential element of her creative process. Elissa's gift for making every student feel capable of writing humor—a notoriously difficult skill—was a real confidence boost.
And we're proud to be a small part of Lisa's writing journey. She found us as an already accomplished writer: her debut memoir, Sit, Cinderella, Sit, became a People Magazine Pick, an Amazon Bestseller, landed on Zibby's Most Anticipated Books for 2025, and was named a Next Generation Indy Award finalist in Women's Literature. Now, she's preparing to release her third memoir, The Big Day, on September 22, 2026—a testament to her prolific output and the creative momentum she's built.
When asked about the breakthrough moment from her workshop, Lisa points directly to that sense of permission and possibility that Elissa cultivated in the classroom. For writers who struggle with imposter syndrome around humor—wondering if they're "funny enough" to attempt comedic essays—Lisa's experience offers powerful reassurance: the right instructor can help you find your comedic voice.
Her advice for writers who might be on the fence about taking a workshop? Just one word: "Take it!"
Lisa's secret weapon for pushing through tough writing days is refreshingly practical: "Set a deadline and rewards for when I'm finished." It's the kind of grounded, no-nonsense approach you might expect from someone who spent decades in the deadline-driven world of film and television editing.
Today, Lisa continues to write from her Los Angeles home, where she lives with two dogs, two cats, and her husband, Big Johnson. Beyond her memoir work, she has several scripts in various stages of development and shares her reflections through her Substack, One Minute Thoughts From A Pink Head.
With The Big Day on the horizon and more projects in the pipeline, Lisa Cheek exemplifies what's possible when a writer commits to honing their craft and embraces the joy of writing with humor and heart.
Ready to write your own success story? Explore our online creative writing workshops and discover how expert instruction, a supportive community, and proven teaching methods can help you achieve your writing goals.
