WEEKLY WORKSHOPS
Who We Are
Have you always wondered what it’s like to be part of a writing group? If so, our weekly workshops are a great opportunity to see what it’s all about. The consistency of these meetings, and the supportive community that develops during our time together, is a perfect antidote for writing in isolation.
Many writers thank their writing groups in the acknowledgement pages of their books, and there’s good reason for that. Writing communities speak to the old adage that “art cannot exist in a vacuum”—we need test audiences. And getting group feedback offers each participant invaluable insight during the drafting process.
The weekly meetings are based on the Amherst Writers and Artists method (AWA). They differ from traditional writing groups, because they are not manuscript driven, they are open to all genres, and they focus on spontaneous free writing and surprising prompts. Writers read out loud (voluntarily: you can always pass), and we only focus on positive feedback. Our philosophy is that your writings are fresh, first drafts, and do not yet benefit from criticism.
These sessions will help you:
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process thoughts and feelings, and turn them into narratives
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utilize the five senses and make your writing come alive
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bring characters to life and write dialogue
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describe internal and external settings
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utilize sensory detail
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loosen up, be experimental, and have some fun
The Details
Dates: Tuesdays, July 14th—August 25th
Thursdays, July 16th—August 27th
Time: 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Location: Tuesdays are online
Thursdays are in person, in the Outer Sunset District, San Francisco
Investment: $395 online/$450 in-person for our seven week workshop
What’s included: A guided writing session with carefully facilitated positive feedback, and a takeaway poem and prompt. Thursdays also include snacks, tea, and a homemade dessert.
The Setting and the Vibe
Back in 2000, Laguna Writers began in a studio apartment on Laguna Street in San Francisco. The in-person workshops are now held in a top-floor apartment near the beach. This is a quiet space to process, explore, and experiment with writing.
We call them workshops, not classes, because there is no homework and no additional supplies are necessary: you only need access to a pen and a pad of paper, or whatever device you like to write on. Think ocean views, cozy corners, warm coffee or tea, and a room full of supportive writers.
you’ll leave with
new ways to unlock ideas through prompts + free writing
a deeper sense of your voice (and the confidence to trust it)
tools to bring scenes, characters, and dialogue to life
sensory techniques that make your writing feel vivid and lived-in
the experience of sharing your work out loud on your own terms
thoughtful, positive feedback that helps you see what’s working
a supportive writing community you’ll want to keep showing up with
a renewed relationship to writing that feels open and playful
A bit about me
My very first workshop began with a small group of five men (in 1992), and the experience was as profound then as it is now. I’m continually struck by the brave, funny, and deeply moving writing that emerges in these spaces, and by the care and respect participants show one another. It’s an honor to witness a group listening this closely, and to share a room with so many thoughtful, generous writers.
Come as you are.
And keep your creativity flowing with an inspiring group of writers.
A deposit is required to ensure that you are committed to attending the first session of our writing group. The remaining balance is due after your first session.
Dates: Thursdays
Time: 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Location: in person, in the Outer Sunset District, San Francisco
Investment: $450 in-person for our seven week workshop
What’s included: A guided writing session with carefully facilitated positive feedback, and a takeaway poem and prompt. Thursdays also include snacks, tea, and a homemade dessert.
Dates: Tuesdays
Time: 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Location: Tuesdays are online
Investment: $395 online for our seven week workshop
What’s included: A guided writing session with carefully facilitated positive feedback, and a takeaway poem and prompt. Thursdays also include snacks, tea, and a homemade dessert.