{"product_id":"living-in-drafts-nonfiction-writing-workshop-online","title":"Living in Drafts 8-Week Writing Workshop: Finally Finish Your Essay Draft with Sophia Hembeck Starts Sunday, August 2nd, 2026","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003eBegins Sunday, August 2, 2026\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003eClass will meet weekly via Google Meet on Sundays, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e🌍 \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClass Times by Time Zone:\u003c\/strong\u003e Los Angeles (PDT): 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM \/ Chicago (CDT): 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM \/ New York (EDT): 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM \/ London (BST): 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM \/ Berlin (CEST): 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eNow Enrolling! Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button to talk with us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstructor Bio\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eInstructor Sophia Hembeck is a writer, visual artist \u0026amp; cultural critic. She holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Arts in Berlin. She has published three collections of essays: \u003cem\u003eThings I Have Noticed\u003c\/em\u003e (2020), \u003cem\u003eThings I Have Loved \u003c\/em\u003e(2023) \u0026amp; \u003cem\u003eThings That Are Different Now\u003c\/em\u003e (2025). Her work has appeared in \u003cem\u003eExtra Teeth, off-chance, The Localist, Koralle Magazin, Missy Magazin, Almost Magazin \u0026amp; Culture Vulture\u003c\/em\u003e. In her substack, \u003cem\u003eThe Muse Letter\u003c\/em\u003e, she wonders about the meanderings of life.\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 online writing class is for writers of all levels who want to finally start—and finish—an essay or memoir draft. Whether you're new to nonfiction, stuck in ideas without structure, or sitting on half-written pieces, this course is designed to help you move out of perfectionism and into momentum.\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]\"\u003eThis eight-week online nonfiction workshop is built for writers who want to begin—and complete—a full essay or memoir draft. Rooted in a process-based approach to creative writing, the class prioritizes momentum, discovery, and creative instinct over perfection. Rather than teaching a rigid formula, this online writing class helps you build a sustainable relationship with the drafting process itself—learning to move through creative blocks, trust accumulation and intuition, and develop your work by following the patterns, themes, and emotional threads that emerge on the page.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThrough weekly writing exercises, readings, discussions, and guided feedback sessions, you'll learn how to generate material, identify thematic threads, shape structure, and craft endings that feel earned. We'll study iconic essays by Virginia Woolf, Melissa Febos, Annie Dillard, and George Orwell as models for voice, structure, and thematic development in literary nonfiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eGroup feedback sessions create a supportive environment for sharing works-in-progress and building confidence as a nonfiction writer. You'll leave with one completed essay draft, a deeper understanding of your own creative process, and practical strategies for moving through doubt, creative blocks, and unfinished 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 develop and complete one full essay draft through weekly writing exercises, prompts, and guided structure-building. During the group feedback sessions, each writer has the opportunity to share a work-in-progress and receive peer feedback. At the end of the eight weeks, students may submit their final draft (up to 5,000 words) to receive written feedback from the instructor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReadings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eReadings may include excerpts from On Being Ill by Virginia Woolf, \"The Wild, Sublime Body: Learning How to Be Human\" by Melissa Febos, \"A Hanging\" by George Orwell, and \"This Is the Life\" by Annie Dillard.\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]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 1 — What Is a Draft? Beginning Without Knowing | GATHERING IDEAS\u003c\/strong\u003e Welcome \u0026amp; introduction. Mini-lecture: redefining the draft—process over perfection. Writing exercise: finding compelling ideas and where to start.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 2 — Group Feedback | DISCUSSION\u003c\/strong\u003e Sharing: each writer presents their ideas and thoughts on the essay(s) they want to write.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 3 — Finding the Thread | THEMES\u003c\/strong\u003e Mini-lecture: discovering what your essay is \"about\" while writing it. Reading: \"The Wild, Sublime Body: Learning How to Be Human\" by Melissa Febos. Writing exercise: identifying themes, patterns, and recurring images.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 4 — Group Feedback | DISCUSSION\u003c\/strong\u003e Discussing students' work in progress. Sharing: one piece per writer \u0026amp; group feedback.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 5 — Structure Emerges | STRUCTURE\u003c\/strong\u003e Mini-lecture: shaping a draft—order, pacing, and movement. Reading: \"This Is the Life\" by Annie Dillard. Writing: assembling your material into a working draft. Workshop: experimenting with arrangement and flow. Sharing: one piece per writer \u0026amp; group feedback.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 6 — Group Feedback | DISCUSSION\u003c\/strong\u003e Discussing students' work in progress. Sharing: one piece per writer \u0026amp; group feedback.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 7 — Ending a Draft | FINISH\u003c\/strong\u003e Mini-lecture: what makes an ending feel earned (not forced), and when a draft is \"done.\" Reading: \"A Hanging\" by George Orwell. Writing: draft an ending or multiple possible endings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeek 8 — Group Feedback | DISCUSSION\u003c\/strong\u003e Group sharing: each participant reads from their completed draft. Reflection: what you've learned about your process. Closing thoughts \u0026amp; next steps for revision.\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=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eComplete one full essay or memoir draft from initial idea to earned ending\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBuild a sustainable, process-based drafting practice grounded in momentum and discovery rather than perfectionism\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eDevelop strategies for moving through creative blocks, doubt, and unfinished work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLearn to identify themes, patterns, and emotional threads and shape them into structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eStudy how iconic essayists handle voice, structure, and thematic development in literary nonfiction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eGain confidence sharing works-in-progress and giving and receiving feedback in a supportive community\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\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 $545 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=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eInstructor: Sophia Hembeck\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBegins Sunday, August 2, 2026\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eClass will meet weekly via Google Meet on Sundays, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eTuition is $545 USD.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Writing Workshops Org","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48479400296696,"sku":null,"price":3559.0,"currency_code":"DKK","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0287\/3917\/4532\/files\/SophiaHembeckHeadshot2025.png?v=1771085933","url":"https:\/\/writingworkshops.com\/en-dk\/products\/living-in-drafts-nonfiction-writing-workshop-online","provider":"Writing Workshops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}