Unit 1 - Lesson 4: Running a Workshop
An Introduction
Craft:
For this first part of the lesson, we'll be learning about how creative writing workshops work, and what benefits they can have on you and your work as a writer! This is an article written by the website, Writing Mastery.
Some guiding questions to think about as you read:
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What size of writing workshop would work best for you?
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Would you rather spend more time on critiques or on writing new things with a workshop?
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Are you comfortable sharing your writing with new people, or would you need to get to know them better before you could?
Think about these question and try to answer them as you read! The article is linked to the right of this text utilizing the button!
Connect:
Now we'll be talking about what you just read and adding on some new knowledge!
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First, form a small group of four to six people. This could mean combining several groups of critique partners.
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After that, make sure you feel comfortable with the group. This could mean doing some icebreakers or sharing little snippets of your writing.
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Then, set a five to ten minute timer and have each member of the group follow this prompt: "Write about someone's lifelong dream and a time where they achieve it, or when they don't."
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After you finish the prompt, go around and share what you wrote with each other. If you have extra time, talk about each person's piece, what they did well, and what they could improve next time. (Side note, remember these pieces will be first drafts, and not polished projects.)
Create:
This is the final step in this lesson. Now you get to put what you learned into practice!
After following the steps above, you now have a writing group. If you have a good feeling about the group you've created, keep on working together and giving each other feedback.
If you can, set up a time once or twice a week to meet up and exchange writing, give feedback, and to talk in person. This will ensure your writing workshop stays close and connected, and ensures that every member can see the progress that's being made. Writing workshops should be friends just as much as fellow writers!
More lessons here