the free online writers workshop

the free online writers workshop

The Benefits and Strategies of Participating in a Free Online Writers Workshop

1. Introduction to Online Writers Workshops

Are you really ready for it? Compared to the local workshop, what morning at Bread Loaf, online forums are more than just extensions of the old “board in the back of the bookstore” – they’re completely new rooms, with new kinds of windows, walls, and shadows. This section will introduce you to a few different kinds of conversation spaces in the digital age before moving on to breaking down tactical basics of “Command & Conquering” the message board.

Ready to take a crack at launching a free online writers workshop? The digital age has opened a world of opportunities for someone who really just wants to get a group of writers together to talk about writing, but what makes a workshop useful? That’s what we’ll discuss in this chapter. Before we get into the nuts and bolts of facilitating a workshop, we’ll talk about just what a workshop does, how it helps new and old writers, the kinds of workshops available, how our relationships with technology and distance have changed what workshops look like, and we’ll even shed some light on how workshops might hurt writers. Throughout this chapter, you’ll find interviews with workshop participants and facilitators about what was important to them in their workshop experience, even if they’ve never put a castor on wheels.

2. Advantages of Participating in a Free Online Writers Workshop

Writers of all levels can draw from others’ experiences to determine which opportunities are the most beneficial for them. A free online writers workshop is a great place for aspiring writers to start getting their feet wet. Whether you’re new to the field or just testing new writing ideas in the hopes of finding something that could take you further financially, these workshops can help shed light on a variety of perspectives you may not have considered before. Most importantly, you can meet other writers – some humble beginners just like you, and some who are already full-time freelancers. If you have any questions before or after a session, be sure to contact these individuals! By the same token, if you want to connect with established authors but can’t afford conference tickets or MFA program tuition, these workshops can bring you one step closer to your personal literary heroes – for free.

There are several benefits to participating in a free online writers workshop. Broadly speaking, writers workshops provide skill-building and networking opportunities. They can also raise a writer’s profile. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a seasoned professional, Part 2 of this article has tips to try and advice to consider before signing up for a free writers workshop.

3. Key Components and Structure of Online Writers Workshops

Just as participation in a physical workshop fosters skill development through supportive small group interaction and provides detailed feedback on written pieces, online writing workshops share these key structural components. Most workshops meet 12 hours per week and last from 10-24 weeks. They are carefully structured to maintain an equalized focus on instructional work and smaller-level peer review. Participants in these workshops can expect their writing to be read and critiqued by three to 14 other participants on a rotating basis. Likewise, participants also read and critique their peers’ works. For these workshops, both peer and expert review of the authors’ writing are seen as integral parts of the learning experience. The vast majority of free online workshops are organized into lecture units and workshop units, which the instructor uses to tie the traditional scheduling to the guidelines and expectations of a workshop.

Online writers workshops are designed to help all levels of writers improve their craft in a supportive, constructive environment. These workshops include instruction on the basic elements of craft, muse reading of works in class, and roundtable critiquing of each participant’s writing. Instructors distinguish beginners from intermediates and assign readings and class material according to the skill level of the enrolled authors. Involvement with these workshops can take many forms, and the cost for participation can range from nothing to thousands of dollars. Though many writers can become discouraged by the formal barrier erected by the admission prices saw at these organizations, this section provides strategies for producing a piece of writing that can effectively earn such a waiver. For the purposes of this chapter, we will consider the components of a free online workshop.

4. Effective Techniques for Engaging with Peers and Instructors

As a study by Wakimoto (1994) states, “active learners have a strong desire to learn and to be involved in the educational process through sharing in discussions and other social interactions” (165). The students who are participating in the writers’ workshop should take active roles in speaking out and gathering feedback but are also expected to sit back and listen to the comments of others, valuing their input. This environment should embrace everyone from both ends of the spectrum: those who are shy about sharing in groups, and those who are eager. The most successful work will likely be those written by active participants who ask for the comments of their peers during the workshop and ask for lengthy feedback from the instructor at the close of the day. So, speak out. Listen. Write. Create dialogue and extend your stories. Participate and enjoy the day.

When participating in a writers’ workshop, it is important to be open and accepting of the input and perspectives of each person within the virtual classroom. Callisthenic writers are able to stay fit and healthy because each writer begins by trusting his or her own abilities, along with trust in fellow writers in the room – even if they have not met them. To sustain energy levels during the writer’s workshop, it is important to continue drinking water and having some snacks, such as fruit, to keep energy levels sustained during extended writing exercises.

5. Utilizing Feedback and Critique to Enhance Writing Skills

While the process and protocols described in this article have been presented in the context of a specific online writers workshop, the ideas are applicable to the review of all works of creative writing. Whether the online publications are generated by the writer and read by friends and family or read upon invitation by a website because they are of high quality, the writer feels good about their work being appreciated. When the writer is more serious about publishing their work, revising upon feedback becomes more important.

Feedback is also very important for writers who can belong to a range of possible communities. Online workshops can connect new writers with constructive advice as they are creating works in progress. The more detailed suggestions readers can provide, the more manageable the suggestions may be for the writer who is interested in perfecting different components of a story, essay, or poem. Writers generally want information about whether these components are working; when they are not, they crave examples of what part needs repairing. Finally, since writers generally find beginnings easier to write than endings, readers are encouraged to pay special attention to the ending of a story and help the writer perfect his or her piece and eventually send it off to a literary journal or to consider delegate or publish at a conference presentation. Putting ourselves in the reader’s chair can be very helpful to any writer.

Strategies of giving and receiving critiques on writing