Meet Our Students

Which class did you take?

I have taken three fiction classes: A fiction workshop and yoga and writing with Hilary Steinitz, and Special Problems in Narrative Writing with Andrew Ewell. For this interview, I’ll focus on my experience in the Special Problems class.

Why did you decide to take a class at WriterHouse?

I had been writing in a bubble for a number of years and knew it was time to connect with a community of writers, to interact, inspire and share. WriterHouse offered classes on important aspects of writing at convenient times. The informal yet focused setting was much more appealing than a university or college class.

What did you get out of the class that surprised you?

Since I entered the creative writing arena only recently, when I signed up for this class I expected technical training, critical feedback, and exposure to writing examples to aspire to. I expected sitting in the back of the room diligently taking notes and experiencing pencil biting moments as others commented on my writing. What surprised me, though, was the immediate sense of belonging. Everyone in the class had hurdles and successes to share. Whether accomplished or just starting out, we were all sailing the boat together.

What did you like best about the class?

The discussion was fantastic! I think having eight-week classes is important because with each week we became more comfortable opening up, leading to a rich diversity of views and opinions. I’ve always marveled at the different ways people can construe a story. It’s just fascinating how someone’s writing can be interpreted totally differently. I really enjoyed hearing about what others saw or didn’t see in what I wrote. We might put the words together on the page, but it is the reader who sees the ultimate story.

How has your experience in your class helped your writing?

Each week we focused on a specific technical aspect of writing: voice, description, dialog, etc. I liked this a lot because it got me to look carefully at the way I wrote and I gained a better understanding of how to make the words I put on paper contribute more fully to the story.

What would you say to someone taking a writing class or workshop for the first time?

Listen, participate and enjoy the ride! I was nervous and excited when I started my first class, but I soon found the support, advice, and camaraderie that I now realize were previously huge gaps in my writing efforts. WriterHouse is a great place to start, and continue.