{"product_id":"leave-out-the-part-writing-seminar-online","title":"Leave Out the Part that Readers Tend to Skip: Writing and Revising to Keep Readers Turning the Page Zoom Seminar with Cara Benson on Thursday, February 11th, 2027","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eBegins Thursday, February 11th, 2027\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eLive Seminar via Zoom from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Eastern\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNow Enrolling! \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAny questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWe will provide a recording if you cannot attend live.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eInstructor Cara Benson is the author of the memoir \u003cem\u003eAn Armsfull of Birds: A Personal Field Guide to Love, Loss, and Commitment \u003c\/em\u003e(2026). Other writing has appeared in\u003cem\u003e The New York Times, Boston Review, Best American Poetry, The Brooklyn Rail, Orion, Sierra Magazine, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Electric Literature, Hobart, Vol. 1 Brooklyn\u003c\/em\u003e, and in syndication. She has received a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship and the bpNichol Award, and is the author of (made), a collection of prose poems praised by \u003cem\u003eThe Huffington Post \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e The Brooklyn Rail\u003c\/em\u003e. Cara is represented by Jennifer Thompson of Nordlyset and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College. She has been a Visiting Writer for The New York State Writers Institute, Rhode Island School of Design, Evergreen College, Kelly Writers House, and Stonecoast MFA. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeet the Teaching Artist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/blogs\/news\/cara-benson-leave-out-the-part-readers-skip\" title=\"Cara Benson on Cutting Dead Weight and Keeping Readers Turning the Page\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCara Benson on Cutting Dead Weight and Keeping Readers Turning the Page\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho is this class for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis class is for writers who want to create more tension and propulsion in their writing. It is open to all levels and genres — whether you write lyric essay, novel, memoir, short story, flash, or poetry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to expect:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIn Elmore Leonard's ten rules for writing, he saved the most important one for last: \"Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.\" Whether you're working in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, it's fairly sound advice to put words down on the page that will lead a reader to want to read what comes next. Seems obvious — but how does a writer actually achieve this?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIn this one-day online writing seminar, students will look at examples from published writing that demonstrate methods of compelling readers forward, then practice these strategies in their own writing during the session. The workshop will also cover revision exercises designed to sharpen existing work. Students can bring current projects, use the seminar to generate new material, or simply use the experience to strengthen good writing muscles. Participants will leave this Zoom writing class with practical tools and best practices for creating engaging, page-turning work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are the writing goals?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIn this course, students will generate one to two sections of new writing and practice revision techniques. Through instructor-led exercises and published examples, participants will develop strategies for creating tension, momentum, and reader engagement across genres.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE OUTLINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe seminar will open with an introduction to the topic of keeping readers engaged, followed by reading and listening to examples from published writing that demonstrate effective methods of forward propulsion. Students will then write in response to instructor-led exercises, practicing these strategies in their own work. Time permitting, participants may share this new writing with the group for discussion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE TAKEAWAYS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTools to sharpen your writing and keep a reader engaged from start to finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eRevision practices to identify and cut the parts that readers tend to skip\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eExperience writing with the reader in mind in a way that is generative and energizing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003ePractical strategies for creating tension and propulsion across genres\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eNew or revised writing generated during the session\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSTUDENTS LOVE WORKING WITH CARA\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Thank you Cara! This has been my favorite class from Writing Workshops. I feel like I have new, applicable tools to energize and free me up. Also, the talent in this group is legit and I’m crazy impressed with everyone here. Thanks!\" -Allison E.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Loved the workshop with Cara Benson! I learned so much about Flash writing in the course. I feared it might be challenging to have an online course with no live component. Yet, Cara did amazing work to keep it engaging. She is supportive and gives helpful feedback. Highly recommended workshop to get into writing!\" -Sobhi K.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Thank you so much Cara! I appreciate your feedback and the feedback of those in the class. I was very impressed with the content of the lessons and level of writing talents. It's been a pleasure!\" - Heather B. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"This class was excellent and exceeded my expectations! Cara was encouraging and supportive and made the space very safe. The class was well structured and informative.\" -Rochelle F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Thank you, Cara! I've definitely gotten a lot out of the class and it's been really wonderful reading everyone's work and getting feedback on my own.\" -PD\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"The community and feedback from the instructor were great, the readings were enjoyable, the structure was easy to follow and work within. Instructor and community feedback were definitely the most valuable. It's hard to find a good writing group, and sharing a couple months with other writers was the best part of the course.\" -Chris C.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"What a lovely, inspiring and informative class and group. And thank you, Cara, for being at the helm. I truly enjoyed it.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"So much interesting work and so many thoughtful comments. I've learned a lot. Cara, you took me to some places I wouldn't have found on my own. And your critiques are very insightful and tuned-in to the particulars of each writer. I appreciate all of your comments to me. Thank you so much Cara! And thanks everyone for good feedback, good work, and for being here!\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAYMENT OPTIONS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eTuition is $99 USD. You can pay for the course in full or use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. Both options are available at checkout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eInstructor: Cara Benson\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eThursday, February 11th, 2027\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eClass will meet once via Zoom on Thursday, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM ET\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eWe will provide a recording if you cannot attend live.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTuition is $99 USD.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48145532354808,"sku":null,"price":647.0,"currency_code":"DKK","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/CaraBensonHeadshot.png?v=1774640758","url":"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/en-dk\/products\/leave-out-the-part-writing-seminar-online","provider":"Writing Workshops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}