fiction writing workshop...which one?
December 30, 2022 10:12 PM Subscribe
I am working on a novel and want to take a one-off fiction writing workshop that will both provide feedback/critiques and help me finish it, would love suggestions that are based on personal experience.
Like many people in the world, I am working on a novel. I have written about 60,000 words so far, and I am basically missing "the middle part." I have a general sense of what will go there, but it's moving slower than what I have already produced.
I would like to take a one-off fiction-focused writing workshop (6 weeks, 8 week, 10 weeks all ok formats) that will both create structure/accountability for me to move closer to finishing the manuscript, but also will have the workshop/critiques component (by other students and by instructor). I have looked at places like Gotham Workshop classes and Sackett Street and other NYC-based similar organizations, but I am confused by the fact that classes seem geared either towards powering through the first draft *or* getting critiques. Has anyone had experiences with classes that combine a bit of both?
Virtual is preferable for me, so location does not really matter. But I would like it to be a format where people meet over Zoom in real time -- so virtual, rather than asynchronous online.
If you have had personal experiences with classes like that, please tell me about it! Thanks is advance.
Like many people in the world, I am working on a novel. I have written about 60,000 words so far, and I am basically missing "the middle part." I have a general sense of what will go there, but it's moving slower than what I have already produced.
I would like to take a one-off fiction-focused writing workshop (6 weeks, 8 week, 10 weeks all ok formats) that will both create structure/accountability for me to move closer to finishing the manuscript, but also will have the workshop/critiques component (by other students and by instructor). I have looked at places like Gotham Workshop classes and Sackett Street and other NYC-based similar organizations, but I am confused by the fact that classes seem geared either towards powering through the first draft *or* getting critiques. Has anyone had experiences with classes that combine a bit of both?
Virtual is preferable for me, so location does not really matter. But I would like it to be a format where people meet over Zoom in real time -- so virtual, rather than asynchronous online.
If you have had personal experiences with classes like that, please tell me about it! Thanks is advance.
Best answer: Grub Street's Novel Generator is exactly this. The virtual version starts in September every year and runs through early June; you get critiqued on 10 pages at a time. I'm taking it this year and the instructor is great, as are my classmates' feedback on the chunks I've read so far. Variety of genres, but all lean literary (I don't know if that's typical). The class meets once a week, and we also have biweekly online writing sprints (optional) for extra accountability/community. Highly recommend. There is an application process.
For a less pricey alternative, check out local libraries or Meetup, or even your area's NaNoWriMo forum. Since you want virtual, you could probably cast a really wide net!
posted by basalganglia at 4:33 AM on December 31, 2022 [3 favorites]
For a less pricey alternative, check out local libraries or Meetup, or even your area's NaNoWriMo forum. Since you want virtual, you could probably cast a really wide net!
posted by basalganglia at 4:33 AM on December 31, 2022 [3 favorites]
WritingWorkshops.com does not currently have this exact class, but they add new classes all the time, and this seems like something that could eventually come up. They have one-on-one mentorships ranging from three to six months (pricy, but cheaper than an MFA). It looks like all of their classes are online now.
I have taken two classes and two short workshops from them. One class was fantastic, and the other had a not-great teacher, though I did make a very good writing friend, so it ended up being worthwhile.
posted by FencingGal at 7:21 AM on December 31, 2022
I have taken two classes and two short workshops from them. One class was fantastic, and the other had a not-great teacher, though I did make a very good writing friend, so it ended up being worthwhile.
posted by FencingGal at 7:21 AM on December 31, 2022
Hugo House (in Seattle) has in-person and online classes. This online one, Novel Immersion starts in January, but from what you wrote above, may not be what you're looking for. Maybe their The 16-Week Prose Workshop would work for you?
posted by ShooBoo at 2:50 PM on December 31, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by ShooBoo at 2:50 PM on December 31, 2022 [1 favorite]
« Older Please explain Hindu funeral rites as performed in... | Asian ingredient substitution list? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by showbiz_liz at 10:41 PM on December 30, 2022