Read Like a Writer (online)

What does it mean to read closely?

How can deep reading change you as a reader—and as a writer?

At this workshop, Dr. Harry Segal will join us in exploring how literature works. Together, we’ll read a carefully curated selection of texts, both fiction and poetry. For each, we’ll explore:

How to use published works as models for your own work-in-progress
How literature succeeds in evoking emotion in the reader
How writers innovate—and why innovation matters
What close reading teaches us about technique
How to define meaning—and theme—in a text
What it means for literature to be relevant
How genre affects readers’ expectations

Overnight, you’ll write a short piece to turn in on Sunday. You’ll hear your work read aloud anonymously. Then, the group will discuss the emotions your piece evokes in each of us.

Readers, writers, and non-native speakers of English are welcome.

Contact us for dates
Taught by Lisa Friedman and Harry Segal
Venue: Online
Register for this workshop (Fee: €150)
Have questions about this workshop? Call us +31 (0) 62 502 0817 or send us an email.

For now, all our workshops are taking place online.

What people are saying about this workshop

“While I always read a lot to inspire my own writing, I learned even more about how to read closely, for specific purposes. This is definitely a skill I can use.”

Solveig, May 31, 2020

“The material was explained well, and I loved how every opinion was valued, even that of the youngest, least experienced participant. I found it valuable to read the works of established authors, but even more inspiring to read the works of the other people in the workshop. I learned how to prime myself and get inspired from literature, how to better interpret texts, the meaning behind them, and how to look for specific elements that I can use in my own writing. I will definitely keep using the things we talked about this weekend.”

Sharon, May 31, 2020

“I felt safe and supported. As a beginning writer—whose story was read in front of others for the first time—I felt immensely encouraged and motivated. The ‘Read Like a Writer’ workshop taught me to experience my own writing through the eyes of the reader.”

Laura B, May 31, 2020

“I am stunned by how easily I was persuaded to unleash myself in writing; it freed me. The second day is where the magic happens: people share—and really give something of themselves when they do.”

Lamprini, May 31, 2020

“If we want to write, it makes sense to read—and to read like a writer. If we wanted to grow roses, we would want to visit rose gardens and try to see them the way that a rose gardener would.” – Francine Prose