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 March 2, 2015. Limit 10 participants.
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 On Being a Writer 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. Four live video chats included.
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
12-Week Course Also Includes
• Submit a writing sample (up to one page) to be edited by 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
• Receive an attentive consultation for planning and taking the next steps in your writing life
For You
Private online group settings and most class materials, including free digital copies of T.S. Poetry’s On Being a Writer: 12 Simple Habits for a Writing Life That Lasts and Rumors of Water: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing, are included in the price. Please buy (or borrow) a copy of Ann Lamott’s Bird by Bird before the class begins on March 2.
Your Writing Workshop Leaders
Charity Singleton Craig graduated from Taylor University as a Mass Communications Major with an emphasis in print media. After a brief stint in newspaper journalism, Charity worked in several other industries throughout the years, all while attempting to live the writing life. Recently, she became a full-time freelance writer and editor, serving as a content and copy editor for The High Calling, a contributing writer for Tweetspeak Poetry, and a staff writer for Curator Magazine. She also serves several clients with their corporate communication needs.
Ann Kroeker graduated from Indiana University as an English Major with a creative writing emphasis. She launched her freelance writing career as a young adult and has been working for over two decades as a writer, editor, and most recently as a writing coach. Author of two books and editor for both Tweetspeak Poetry and The High Calling, Ann is a sought-after resource for editorial guidance. She continues to explore new writing opportunities, speak in a range of venues, maintain connections in the publishing world, and work with writers to help them take the next step in their writing careers.
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.
Darlene S.: I don’t think I can put into words both the overall value of the lessons learned and the encouragement I got.
Michelle Ortega: Although I will most likely not pursue publishing a non-fiction title, I gained invaluable insight into platform development. It answered questions for me that I have been wrestling with for my business for the past few years, and coincides with my general philosophy of developing relationships with consumers as opposed to impersonal marketing strategies.
Sandra Heska King: This was absolutely the single best whim I’ve followed.
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Laura Brown says
I’d think about taking it again, but my writing life is too full right now to make room for it! And some of that fullness I can attribute to the workshop. Best $420 I ever spent.
Sandra Heska King says
Yep. What Laura said!
Bethany Rohde says
I just signed up; I’m excited!
L. L. Barkat says
We’re so pleased to have you in the workshop, Bethany! Workshops are the way that quite a few of our community members have gone deeper here at Tweetspeak. Some even went on to write for us. 🙂
Bethany R. says
L.L. Barkat,
Thank you for the welcome to the workshop. I’m looking forward to finding more community in the world of words, and improving my craft.
I’m quite eager to find some practical direction on what to do next with my writing. Going on to write for TweetSpeak sounds like a dream.
Elizabeth Marshall says
This workshop brought rich relationships into my life in addition to doable applications to enrich my life as a writer and noticer.
I am grateful to many for encouraging me, cheering me on and loving me through the learning.
I would go back and take it again, knowing i would grow fuller as an artist and into the company of a rich community of caring writers.
It would be lovely to encourage another to give themselves the gift of this workshop. I hope my words provide some encouragement to those who havent yet stepped off the curb.
This will remain a highpoint of my writing life.
Richard Maxson says
I signed up today. It sounds like an excellent experience. Now I can’t wait for March.
Bethany Rohde says
Wonderful! I’m looking forward to it too.
Kim Urband says
Good Morning!
I LOVE the book On Being A Writer…I had to read it all the way through first and now am rereading it, taking the time to do the exercises.
The On Being a Writer workshop, I think, would benefit my writing aspirations. For the past fifteen years, I have been in the throes of home schooling our two sons and just graduated our last one.
Though I had a few non-fiction articles published in free Christian publications when our sons were young, I shelved my writing dreams when I began home schooling.
Now I’m feeling a bit lost and unsure as to where to start.
Are there still slots available for the course? If so, would you consider allowing me to make installment payments for the 12-week option?
Thank you,
Kim
L. L. Barkat says
Sounds like it would be a good match for you, Kim. When you pay by PayPal, you can choose to pay over time. Check out the options they offer once you click through?
Kim Urband says
Thank you for that suggestion. I’ll look into that.
Kim Urband says
So sorry for asking for an installment arrangement when, if I had scrolled down far enough, I would have seen the Paypal option of taking six months to make payments.
Have a blessed day,
Kim
L. L. Barkat says
No, no. I realized we’d forgotten to put it in the post when you asked. It’s good you inquired! 🙂
Kim says
Oh, yay! That makes me feel better! I’m looking forward to registering later today as I’m heading out the door now. So excited!
Charity Singleton Craig says
Kim – We are so excited you have joined us for the workshop! I am really looking forward to having you aboard!
Ann Kroeker says
Kim, this is a belated reply, but I wanted to chime in and say how happy I am that you’ll be joining us for the workshop!
I do think this investment in your writing life will help you discover direction and confidence as you enter a new phase post-homeschooling–and I’m delighted to be a small part of that process, along with the other participants of the workshop and Charity, of course, who is co-leading it.
Kim says
Dear Ann and Charity,
How kind your welcoming comments are…you have so encouraged my heart this afternoon.
I hit that “pay now” button on the Paypal site with some fear and trepidation, but with excitement too. I feel this is God’s way of coaxing me away from my “stuck” place and setting my feet on the writing
path He has planned for me.
I wish the class was starting NOW:>) Thank you for the investment of your time, energy and experience in putting it together.
Blessings,
Kim
Ann Kroeker says
Kim, I’m so happy to see you’ll be part of this experience! Before you know it, we’ll be inviting you into the workshop’s workspace where you’ll meet us and the rest of the participants, and days later, we’ll be off on a writing journey together, encouraging one another along the way. Looking forward to it!
Charity Singleton Craig says
Kim – I seemed to have missed this comment from earlier. I am really looking forward to getting the workshop started in just less than a week. Hopefully, you will feel those days of feeling “stuck” shake loose as we begin. You are courageous to invest in your writing life this way. See you soon!
Lakin says
This workshop looks delicious. So I signed up. (:
Ann Kroeker says
Lakin, we’re delighted to have you at the table. We’ve saved you a seat, and we’ll all dig in shortly–just a few days!
Charity Singleton Craig says
Lakin – Yes, welcome! We are so glad you are joining us! Looking forward to getting to know you!
Monica Kaye Snyder says
I will be praying about joining today. I’m leaving the window OPEN as I step away from the screen. I am entrenched in writing “Gauntlet” but also know my heart is needing community, encouragement and experience to guide me. Your book has been a wonderful personal resource and meeting you both at Laity was gift.
Charity Singleton Craig says
Monica – You are wise to pause. I know that *Gauntlet* is a big project and one that you are committing so much of yourself to. Meeting you was a gift as well, and we would be delighted to have you join us. I’ll look forward to your decision and hope for all the very best as you move ahead in your writing life either way.
Ann Kroeker says
I’m so glad you’re considering, Monica. I would be honored to walk alongside you, with Charity, as you work toward your writing goals.
Lisa Phillips says
I am trembling with joy and fear. My finger hovered over the “Pay” button, before I closed my eyes and clicked it. My friend, Laura Brown, encouraged me (do it! do it! do it! she advised.)
I look forward to learning how to better listen to my life, and shape my responibility-filled days around writing time.
Charity Singleton Craig says
Lisa – What a joy to have you join us for the workshop. Taking on something like this while life continues on around us is a big deal. I hope you will find there’s enough flexibility and entry and exit points to allow you to tailor the experience to your needs. I look forward to getting to know you.
And that Laura Brown is a wonderful friend to have!
Ann Kroeker says
So glad you are joining us, Lisa. We hope you’ll thank yourself later for investing in your writing life.