In our workshops, the instructor lectures on specific elements of craft (depending on the genre), such as plot, character, the use of metaphor, etc. The instructor will often bring in examples of published works and other hand outs. As the term progresses, you apply what you have learned from the lectures to your work. Writing exercises are given by the instructor based upon the needs of the class.

Your writing is “workshopped” according to the rotating schedule set up by the instructor. When your writing is being discussed in class, you listen to comments, but you are asked not to talk or defend your writing. The inclination to defend your work is natural among most writers, fledgling to experienced. But defending your work will not help to make you a better writer. Listening will.

After your teacher and fellow students give their comments, you have the opportunity to ask questions. Your questions should be about issues that did not arise during the discussion or anything that you feel needs clarification. In this way, all of your questions and concerns about your work are answered.

Writers need to be mentally tough. Don’t let negative comments get you down. Take the ones that help, and forget the rest. You can never please everyone, so don’t make that your goal.

An important aspect of a workshop is to receive objective criticism. Once the writer begins to explain or defend his or her work, it becomes difficult for the other students to remain thoroughly objective. You learn more about your writing when you listen to other people’s comments.

Since this is a workshop, we don’t expect polished, completed work. We understand that all submissions are works in progress.

Be supportive. When you comment on a fellow writer’s work, we require that you begin with one positive comment followed by one suggestion for improvement. We begin with a positive comment because it is just as important for the writer to know what is working well as it is to learn what is not working. Your suggestion for improvement should first identify the specific aspect of the writing that is not working, and then explain why.

Be specific. Vague comments such as “I didn’t like it” or “I think you really have something” are not helpful to the writer. Provide specific suggestions so the writer knows which problems to solve.