Writing Circle Workshop: Finding Community and Creativity in a Challenging Time

In this challenging and potentially isolating time, we need each other more than ever. One way to join together with some supportive, friendly faces is to gather in virtual community writing circles on Zoom, our easy-to-use tech platform.

We are going to join together twice a week to write out the storm. Each writing circle will be an intimate, brave space where we will free-write from prompts in timed bursts for 1 ½ hours. In these writing sessions, we write quickly and messily, saying yes to whatever shows up, followed by group read-arounds. Every emotion is welcome at a writing circle: fear, anger, and joy are equally valid and should be given voice. We won’t edit, judge, or critique during the writing circles. We let go of expectations. We witness.

Susan brought together a group of strangers from all walks of life and all points on the continent, and under her calm and insightful leadership encouraged us to find our own writing styles, speak our own truths, and support each other as a community. —Jennifer Burton

In addition to meeting on Zoom, we’ll stay connected through weekly check-ins on our classroom page and share news of what’s happening in our parts of the world. I will also post weekly articles/quotes/poems, additional writing ideas, and a discussion link for you to share a piece of writing for feedback. These pieces can be polished or something raw that came up in a circle. Writing, sharing, and witnessing in the face of adversity can provide solace and strength. Join us.

Writing Circle Times

Mondays at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time

and

Fridays at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time

Student Feedback for Instructor Susan Vespoli

Susan's class was a joy. It was well organized and interesting. Susan is a caring and very invested teacher. She was very present all during the class and her feedback was well thought and helpful. Ariela Zucker

Susan was lovely and responded in a timely manner. She gave detailed feedback... The content of this class was PERFECT. Lessette F. Altamiranda.

Susan brought together a group of strangers from all walks of life and all points on the continent, and under her calm and insightful leadership encouraged us to find our own writing styles, speak our own truths, and support each other as a community. Jennifer Burton

This was a terrific class. The lessons were well-organized and stimulating. They had excellent "lectures" and plenty of additional resources and ideas. I will be able to refer back to them for inspiration for months. Susan was a thoughtful and resourceful teacher. She was able to nurture an especially lively and collegial relationship among the class, as we discussed the lessons and responded to each other's writing. Please encourage Susan to offer this class again! Marge Osborn

I have taken a number of courses at Writers.com and I have always found the teachers did a good job. My all- time favorite teacher is Susan Vespoli. She did an excellent job of providing readings that set a creative tone and she chose excellent prompts. She assured us that it was not necessary to use what she provided. I appreciated the manner in which she responded to our shares. At no time did I feel that I was taking a risk in reading what I wrote because Susan had created such a safe place. Jane Knox

Taking Susan’s workshop helps me generate tons of ideas for my fiction writing. It also helps me write regularly. I cannot wait to join her next session. Sharon Mirza

The writing circles on Zoom have been my favorite part of this class. Being able to write at scheduled times rather than around the clock really helps me to set writing dates and to write with others. Also, I like the spontaneous nature of the writing on Zoom meetings, and being able to see and hear the other students and the teacher. Noa Granot

This class was amazing! Susan did a fantastic job with the curriculum and with keeping the group moving with discussion and encouragement. Susan created a very safe experience for all of us. She's a fantastic facilitator - providing poems and lines from those poems that somehow really tap into things for me. Andi Reed