What Will You Learn in Writing Workshops?

The most important question to ask yourself when picking between writing workshops is: What type of material will be covered? Is a specific workshop a curriculum-based class, or is it primarily concerned with giving and receiving feedback? Do you want something that’s more focused on creative writing techniques, a seminar that’s more heavily slanted toward reading classics or modern books, or a program that’s focused on giving you feedback on your project? Are there particular topics or techniques that interest you and, if so, will they be discussed in the workshop you’re researching? Will the other writers in attendance be aligned with you in terms of target audience and genre? For example, one advantage of Story Mastermind is that it’s a small group with nimble instructors who tailor topics to the needs and interests of each participant. Knowing the topics that are going to be covered will help you narrow down your options and ensure that your time and money will be well spent.

Leadership in Writing Workshops

Writing workshops can be made or broken by the teacher, or teachers. It's essential to research the instructors and their credentials, as well as any reviews from previous participants. Does their teaching style suit your learning style? Do they have any specialized knowledge in areas that interest you, like a specific genre or category?

Having an experienced instructor with a good rapport with students can make all the difference in ensuring that you get the most out of your experience. The instructors at Story Mastermind have years of experience working with writers of all levels, and our guiding principle is helping each writer reach their greatest potential with hyper-personalized feedback on each submission.

Sometimes, writing workshops are taught by writers who are hobbyists but haven’t published or worked in the publishing industry. Is insider industry knowledge important to you? Or are you looking for more creativity-based writing workshops where you can be free to create without worrying about the final product? These important personal considerations should be taken into account when you research writing workshops.

What Is the Cost And Duration Of the Workshop?

Though most writers would love to engage in writing workshops without worrying about time or money, we live in the real world, and both are a factor. Cost and duration are important considerations. If budget is an issue for you then make sure to compare different options. But sticker price isn’t the only factor—don’t forget to note the duration of various writing workshops, and learn what the expected deliverables are by the end of the program.

Some writing workshops may last for one day, while others can span several days or weeks or even months. Make sure it’s something that fits into your schedule! One downside of traditional MFA writing programs is that they’re often out of reach financially, and demand up to two years of full-time participation. Story Mastermind was designed to deliver a cost-effective MFA-style experience in five months for the Novel and Picture Book tracks, and three months for the Outline Intensive. Writing workshops represent a significant time and financial investment, but the benefits can be profound and lay the groundwork for your entire future creative writing career.

When choosing between writing workshops, consider what topics will be covered, teacher credentials, program cost, and duration. Take time to find something that works for you, so that you can forge ahead with confidence. There’s no doubt that writing workshops—good ones—deliver results that can shape your career. With enough preparation, you’ll find a writing workshop that will help take your writing craft to new heights.