If you’d like some company or guidance on your writing journey, here are a few writing workshops/classes offered in November and December. All classes are online (Zoom) unless otherwise indicated.
If you are an instructor and have a writing class you think would be of interest to the Writer-ish community, you can submit it here for consideration.
To be notified of upcoming classes and discounts, join the Writer-ish newsletter.
11/6 Memoir Bootcamp
with Allison K. Williams. November 6, 13, and 20, 2024, Wednesdays at 10:00 am PT. Zoom workshop. $199. Sign up here.
What often sells memoir now is cultural relevance—that your experience reveals deeper truths about a widely important issue or idea—and a powerful story, written well. By clearly defining your concept, your structure, and the exact readers who need your words, you’ll learn whether your book is right for Big Five, literary or independent publishing—and exactly how to write and revise your memoir.
In this three-part class, taught by Allison K Williams, you’ll identify your story’s dramatic arc and structure; learn what events belong and how to write them more deeply; and discover how to use writing craft and research to fill in alternative points of view and missing memories. You’ll also dive deeply into your goals, and discover your best writing routine to bring your words into the world.
11/9 Using Micro Memoirs to Tell Your Story
with Darien Hsu Gee (UCLA Extension). November 9, 2024, Saturday from 10:00 am to 11:30 am PT. Zoom workshop. Sign up for the free session here.
Discover the power of brevity with micro memoirs, a thriving literary form that packs a punch in 300 words or less. We'll explore how these concise narratives can illuminate your life experiences in profound and impactful ways. You'll gain practical tips on how to start crafting your own micro memoirs and learn strategies for integrating these compact stories into larger memoir or creative nonfiction projects, drawing inspiration from bestselling authors who have mastered this potent storytelling technique.
11/16 Queer Experiments in Memoir
with Stephen van Dyck (UCLA Extension). November 16, 2024, Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm PT. Zoom workshop. Sign up for the free session here.
Queer stories not only offer readers the opportunity to see the world from a different perspective, they also give queer people the chance to see themselves in ways they never have before. In this course we will look beyond simply having queer characters or representation in our memoirs, and explore alternatives to traditional literary forms and story shapes that speak more truthfully to our experiences with the ultimate goal of arriving at something intrinsically queer. We’ll look at archives as a first step in making new connections and ultimately a new kind of order. We’ll explore timelines that turn away from the narrative coherence of the traditional life arcs of adulthood, marriage, reproduction and childrearing. We will examine narrative forms that reject conflict as essential. Through a short lecture, analysis of memoir excerpts, and in-class prompts you will get a whirlwind tour of possible entry points to a different approach to capturing a life queerly.
11/17 Writing Micro Memoir Workshop
with Darien Hsu Gee (writer-ish.com). November 17, 2024, Sunday from 10:00 am to 11:30 pm PT. Zoom workshop + optional office hours. $49. Can’t make it? Full webinar recording and lifetime classroom is included. Sign up here.
Micro prose (300 words or less) provides an opportunity for more, not less. It's a chance to cut to the chase, to distill what is most essential into a few carefully considered words, to center a single experience or thought. In this workshop, you'll learn how this short but versatile form can amplify your creative nonfiction work (memoir, personal essay), and even poetry and fiction. We'll explore examples of micro in the world, discover how you can begin writing micro right away, and create three micro pieces during our time together. For writers new to the micro form.
11/19 Write Your Divorce Story
with Dr. Stephanie Han. November 19, 2024 or November 30, 2024 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm PT. Zoom workshop. $199. Sign up here.
This 2–hour class is designed for women with limited time who want the basic fundamentals of how to write a divorce story for their personal/legal file. The class will cover the narrative of marriage, divorce, family, and gender and how this affects women’s understanding and perception of self and divorce. Students learn the Divorce Story Structure and begin to write their divorce story for your personal/legal file on your own. Class is suitable for any stage of divorce.
One-on-One Literary Consults and Coaching Sessions
with Darien Hsu Gee (writer-ish.com). Helping writers get unstuck is one of my superpowers, as is amplifying your writing and strategizing a literary career. Let me help you get to where you want to go!
- Not sure if one-on-one coaching is for you? Schedule a 30-minute complimentary session to see if working together might be a fit. Sign up here.
- Know what you need and you’re all in? Buy a bundle of 4 hours for $500 and save $100.
- Already paid and need to schedule a session? Go to my calendar here.
A literary consult and/or coaching session is an opportunity for you to discuss and receive guidance on your writing, your writing process, and/or your literary career. These sessions are helpful if you need to troubleshoot a troubled manuscript, want insight into the publishing process, or are ready for someone to cheer you on as you strive to meet your goals. How you use this time is up to you, or let me guide our time based on a few thoughtful questions at the start of our session. If you’d like me to review any work with you, we would do this live during our time together; you’ll receive submission/share instructions prior to our meeting.
Looking for more resources? Recorded Micro Memoir workshops are available here. If you’re looking for some inspiration, you can find a new writing prompt every Monday here.