“I learned concrete steps for improving my personal essay-writing skills and for completing work. Also, we learned several literary techniques for engaging the reader…. The atmosphere created during the workshop was friendly and stimulating. The quality of the essays brought to the class was very good, and the commentary was constructive for all.”
Gökhan, April 30, 2010
“I learned more about my own style and writing needs: where my strengths lie, what to improve.”
Cintia, April 30, 2010
“The atmosphere of trust and freedom in the group was very skillfully facilitated. It gave me the best possible circumstance to make a first try with a very challenging subject.”
Lisa, April 30, 2010
“As for being able to finish a piece, the idea of scalability was essential. Start with something manageable, which can be expanded later if desired. This approach helped me to let go of the idea of writing a complete story at once. The technique of freewriting really helped in writing more freely…I thought it was absolutely amazing how good all the pieces turned out to be after just one day of work!”
Daniel, April 30, 2010
“My goal for the weekend was to learn ways to write a complete essay…I do believe that I am closer to achieving my goal since following the workshop. I really enjoyed the class.”
Damali, April 30, 2010
“The length of the workshop is perfect. I think you can’t get done what we did in less than eight hours/two sessions. The second evening was more intense: there was so much material to take in. Maybe a longer break in the middle would solve ‘absorption-fatigue.’
I love the workshops because they always offer me a chance to be among other writers and create a reprieve from the “lonely” and concentrated hours spent at my writing desk. It’s always lovely to be among people who share the same passion.”
Erica, April 30, 2010
“What did I gain from the class? Useful ways to structure a personal essay; an excellent packet of reading materials that I can always dip into for inspiration; and the knowledge that I should read more Joan Didion.”
Shelley, April 30, 2010