How to Create a Personal Writing Workshop:
7 Key Steps
By Aaron Nielsenshultz
Since we intend for other people to read—and understand—what we've written, we want to make sure what we've written comes across clearly—and speaks well of us! This is difficult, though, since usually we get too close to our own writing to really judge it objectively.
But there's an easy solution. None of us writes in a vacuum, and since we expect other people to read our words, enlist a fellow writer to be your workshop partner.
Writing Workshop?
It sounds formal, but it isn't. In short, your personal writing workshop is a group of people you share your writing with to make sure it passes muster before it goes out. The workshop itself can occur any time you and another person trade documents. While you and your partners will make your own rules and guidelines for each session, the focus of a workshop is on ideas and presentation before it's on grammar and punctuation.
Here are 7 key steps you can take to get the most out of a workshop.
1. Find at least one partner
The more eyes you get on your writing before it hits your target audience, the better. But in practical terms, you need only one more person to form a writing workshop. If you can find two or three other people with whom you can trade writing, you should be covered.
2. Determine how to meet
All discussions about writing really ought to be done in person, be it on the phone or face-to-face. We suggest this approach because it's too easy to take a written comment the wrong way, and let's face it: discussing someone else's writing can lead to bruised egos and hurt feelings pretty quickly. Phone conversations are our second choice. That way, at least, you can hear each other's voice, even if you can't read the person's face.
But many of us rely heavily on email, so you need to be extra careful to follow the other workshop rules—Don't take the criticism personally, and ASK if something seems unclear. Print that out and tape it to your screen!
3. Discuss what you need
Be clear on areas you think need work or on areas you think work well. Having clear requests beforehand will help your partners focus their time better. And when you're reading a partner's writing, don't shoot everything that moves. Comment on the most important areas; don't over-critique.
4. Leave nice at the door
When you're doing the critiquing, remember that this is professional writing you're dealing with, so if something isn't working or is done badly, you shouldn't let it slide just to be nice. Call attention to areas that need work. On the other hand, if you've asked for the critique, be open to comments! If you can read a comment as being nice though critical or as being mean-spirited, always go with the nice option first.
5. Be open to criticism
Remember that comments on your writing are NOT personal. Your partners are trying to help you present the best you possible.
6. Allow for time
Give your partners enough turn-around time to give your documents a good read-through. Remember to be punctual in returning a document, too! It's far better to admit that you can't do a read-through than it is to agree to one and then drop the ball.
7. Compliment as well as critique
Start with comments on the three things that your partner has done well, and then give them three areas to improve on. We all know that meaningful affirmations go a lot farther than empty compliments.
You can establish your own rules within your writing workshop, but these pointers ought to get you started. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the good that can come out of even one extra set of eyes perusing your work!
© 2006 Red Pepper Writing
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Yara and Aaron Nielsenshultz, the Writing "Peppers" and founders of Red Pepper Writing, teach ambitious Coaches, Consultants, and other Solopreneurs how to use powerful writing to get more clients and make more money. For FREE weekly writing tips, visit http://www.redpepperwriting.com.
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