NOW SOLD OUT: Contact Us for Future Classes
A writing workshop that will help you develop a satisfying, lasting writing life.
It’s easy, after all, not to be a writer. Most people aren’t writers, and very little harm comes to them.
– Julian Barnes, Flaubert’s Parrot (In Annie Dillard’s The Writing Life)
Begins September 4th
Are you waiting for your writing life to begin? Have you wondered when you’ll discover the magic formula for getting inspired, improving your skills, getting published, and being part of a real writing community?
The Writing Life workshop is for you.
Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever it is you are doing, you can begin now.
Basic Approach
Read, think, journal and do exercises, discuss, play (maybe at a museum!), try, partner. A mix of off-line (personal) and online (classroom) opportunities.
8-Week Course Includes
• Learn how to identify yourself as a writer (includes how to take yourself seriously and forget about what the neighbors might think)
• Pinpoint your current successes and growth opportunities
• Successfully arrange your priorities for writing
• Surround yourself with inspiration—books, places, people and more
• Do the work: observe, find ideas, organize, query publications with finished pieces
• Explore the effects of writing: self-discovery, living in place, engaging with other writers, promoting your work
• Submit a writing sample (up to one page) to be edited by a professional editor
12-Week Course Also Includes
• Plan your next project, with tips from a professional editor
• Learn how to successfully create a balanced writing life—from professional editors with long-term writing careers
• Explore the costs of living the writing life
• Submit a second writing sample (up to 2 pages in length) to be edited by a professional editor—anything from a magazine query to the first two pages of a book you’d like to propose to a publisher
• Receive an attentive consultation for planning and taking the next steps in your writing life
For You
Private online group setting and most class materials, including a free digital copy of Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing, are included in the price. Please buy (or borrow) a copy of Bird by Bird before the class begins on September 4.
Your Writing Workshop Leaders
Charity Singleton Craig has been living the Writing Life for 20 years and has contributed essays to three books, including Letters to Me: Conversations with a Younger Self. She has been published at various venues, including The Curator, and is currently Content Editor at The High Calling and Contributing Writer at Tweetspeak Poetry. Charity has also served as a writer in the corporate sector.
Ann Kroeker is the author of two books, including Not So Fast: Slow-Down Solutions for Frenzied Families, and has been published at various venues, including Get Organised. She has been living the Writing Life for over 25 years. As a former features writer for The Indianapolis Star newspaper and a current Editor at The High Calling and Tweetspeak Poetry, Ann is a sought-after resource for editorial guidance.
What Our Other Workshop Participants Have Said
Darrelyn Saloom: I signed up for the fiction class at a crazy/busy time. What was I thinking? With all the chaos in my life, I am so happy I did. I would NEVER have completed a 3-thousand word short story without Anthony. It was wonderful to have his guidance and feedback. And I am so pleased with the result.
Brad Grout: I am personally getting so much out of this memoir workshop…you people are AMAZING!
Lane Arnold: I struck gold. An afternoon session of writing poetry is good for the soul. Poetry Workshop is a catalyst to creativity.
Lexanne Leonard: The most important step I’ve taken is to join Tweetspeak’s Poetry Workshop 2013 with Anne Doe Overstreet. I cannot begin to thank Tweetspeak, Anne, and my fellow students for this journey.
Sandra Heska King: This was absolutely the single best whim I’ve followed.
8 Weeks, BUY NOW • $350
12 Weeks, BUY NOW • $420
Need to announce your new writing life? Smile with selections of T.S. Eliot, Edgar Allan Poe, and Emily Dickinson giving fair warning…
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- Braving the Poem: Interview with Catherine Abbey Hodges - March 24, 2025
Monica Sharman says
Recently I found a dance routine on YouTube and decided to learn it. I play a small segment of the video over and over, memorize it, step away from the computer to practice it, and move on to the next few counts.
Another video shows a short segment of the choreographer in the studio (not the dancers in performance), going over the moves more slowly, talking through a smaller segment without the music.
This method to feed my new little hobby works pretty well. Except—they can’t see me dancing. I have no choreographer to show me that my arm angle should be higher, my head snap was on the wrong count, my movements could be a even sharper and cleaner. And no one is here to dance with me.
I’ve signed up for this writing workshop. Charity Singleton Craig and Ann Kroeker—and the others who sign up—let’s dance this thing.
Monica Sharman says
P.S. Just for fun, here’s the routine I’m teaching myself. 😉
http://youtu.be/e1UVxPnmNkU
Charity Singleton Craig says
Monica –
First, I am so excited you will be part of the workshop.
Second, which role do you take on in the dance? Janet? Or a back up dancer? (I would pick Janet if it were me.) What role we choose for ourselves definitely affects the dance moves we learn. I think that might be important in The Writing Life workshop.
See you in a couple of weeks!
Monica Sharman says
Ah, fascinating! I’d pick Janet too, but when I watch the video segments over and over for learning purposes, I purposely pick a different dancer each time. It helps me learn the moves better, even if it’s simply because the other people are wearing white sleeves and are easier to see and emulate.
When I watch the whole group, they seem to be doing exactly the same thing. And they are, except when I look at each individual more carefully, I see unique styles.
Anyway, I’ll keep those role choices in mind during the workshop!
Ann Kroeker says
Exactly–it’s so hard to learn to dance alone. We’ll all dance better together.
Myt says
Sounds fantastic! What’s the schedule like? I’d like to see time the requisite time commitments before I make my decision.
Ann Kroeker says
Thanks for asking! We estimate that the various assignments could take 4-6 hours per week.
Sandra Heska King says
Whoever signs up for this will be in for a T-R-E-A-T!
L. L. Barkat says
Treats are there now. Just sign in to the classroom space 😉 Your ticket’s already been stamped.
Rachel says
What is the format? Are their specific times to be online? Definitely considering!
L.L. Barkat says
Rachel, thanks for asking. 🙂 I’ve asked one of the teachers to come by and add anything if necessary, but as far as I understand it…
they plan to post the lesson on Sunday nights so people can begin on Mondays, then have live discussion hours Wednesday afternoons, and Friday deadline for uploading writing assignments.
I’m thinking the live discussion hours will probably be determined after consulting re: best times with the group. Students aren’t required to participate in the live discussions, but they can be really helpful times to get more info and connect.
Ann Kroeker says
Rachel, I’m glad you’re considering! The workshop will follow a weekly pattern. On Mondays we’ll upload the lesson and assignment, which includes activities to write, respond, and do (even a bonus activity for motivated members).
On Wednesdays, we’ll post discussion questions. Those will go live at the start of “office hours” (Wed afternoons ET). Charity or I will lead the “real time” interaction, but participants who are not available during office hours can post questions and responses any time and we’ll continue to interact in the classroom space.
On Fridays you upload your completed writing assignment for the class to read and respond to with encouraging input.
You do not have to be online at any of those times precisely, but we recommend you log on in the general time frame to stay on track with the group. You’ll have flexibility within the week to complete the assignments.
Does that help you decide?
Let me know if you have additional questions.
Rachel says
Yes! Very helpful! Just working out the finances!
L. L. Barkat says
Great. 🙂
Remember that there is a Pay Later option, even if you don’t want to put off paying for long. (Makes it easier to turn it into a Christmas gift… from someone else to you, of course 😉
Ann Kroeker says
Rachel, how great!
Laura Brown says
I’m in.