| e you should decide whether or not taking part in | | | | energizing to you personally as well as your |
| a writing workshop is right for you and your | | | | writing. You can also make contacts that may |
| writing you should first understand just what a | | | | lead to support and growth of your writing or |
| writing workshop is. | | | | perhaps even professional advancement. You |
| A workshop is an educational format where an | | | | never know when the friend you make today |
| expert shares information on a focused topic | | | | might be in a position to recommend you to an |
| over a short period of time. Some workshops are | | | | editor or publisher down the road. |
| intended to be simply informative while others | | | | Learn something new. No matter what level your |
| involve more hands-on activities. Today there are | | | | writing career there are always lessons to be |
| many options for enjoying a workshop: you can | | | | learned from other writers. Sometimes there are |
| attend workshops in person, view them on | | | | research strategies and shortcuts or perhaps it is |
| television or tape, or participate in an online | | | | a method for dealing with writer's block. You can |
| workshop. | | | | learn market news and contacts as well as |
| So now that you know what a workshop is you | | | | important information about reviewing contracts. |
| can see how this format can readily be adapted | | | | Workshops are generally geared toward a specific |
| for writers. Writing workshops can cover the | | | | genre or market niche and offer a wealth of |
| basics of writing, writing challenges, topics related | | | | specialized information depending on whether you |
| to publication and careers in writing, or specific | | | | write about crime or food. |
| research subjects. Some of these programs are | | | | Improve your craft. Generating new work or |
| featured as part of larger events, such as | | | | revising existing pieces is often a large part of |
| conferences, while some groups or individuals | | | | attending a workshop. Sometimes you must bring |
| offer them as one-time events. Some | | | | something with you, create a project as part of |
| organizations, institutes and educational programs | | | | the workshop or are inspired by the gathering |
| offer workshops to their students or members | | | | itself. Sometimes talking with others or listening to |
| while others open those workshops to the | | | | the presenters causes you to suddenly rethink a |
| community at large. | | | | stalled project or inspires a new one. Whatever |
| Why would a writer want to attend a workshop? | | | | the impetus there is definitely an increase in |
| What benefit could it be? | | | | production after attending a workshop and that is |
| Join the writing community. One of the strongest | | | | the surest way to improve your word craft. |
| benefits you can receive from attending such a | | | | If you have not taken part in a writing workshop |
| gathering is getting to know other writers. Writing | | | | in the past then perhaps you might consider doing |
| is a solitary profession and can be very lonely. | | | | so in the near future so you can join the writing |
| Enjoying the company of other writers and talking | | | | community, learn something new, and improve |
| about writing with people who really understand | | | | your craft. |
| your joys and worries can be wonderfully | | | | |