Why I Think The Workshop Works!

Sharpening the Quill Writers Workshop

Sharpening the Quill Writers Workshop

Once a month I teach a writing workshop — SHARPENING THE QUILL — here in Princeton.  We are a group of about twenty.  Some have been coming for years, others for just a few months.  Some are published, some are emerging, some are real beginners.  All are welcome.

I love my students.  One of the things I love most about them is how supportive they are of each other.  Over the years I’ve been part of various writing groups and have found some of them actually detrimental, actually harmful.  That happens mostly when egos get involved and competition rears it’s ugly head.  The next thing you know snide comments — usually unattributed — appear scribbled on work people have submitted for critique, or nasty little asides get made about other people in the group during class.  Envy.  Jealousy.  General snarkiness.

The death of the writing group.

Where, I ask myself, does this come from?

Well, I truly believe it comes from fear.  The business of writing — publishing, prizes, reviews, etc — is a feeding frenzy of competition and envy and lots of people get their noses out of joint.  Feuds develop.  Hurt feelings.  Revenge reviews.  That sort of thing.  (There are lots of examples, including a quite a famous story about Richard Ford spitting in Colson Whitehead’s face over a bad review.)  A writer has to work hard not to fall prey to negative, corrosive emotions.  But that’s the business end of things.  When we are in writing groups or workshops, the business of publication shouldn’t intrude, in my opinion.  Here, we should be concentrating on making our work the very best it can be.

This is hard work.  And it’s courageous work.  To present your writing to other people is a brave thing to do.  Risky.  We all need a safe place, and that’s the sort of atmosphere I work hard to create.  We don’t snark at our fellow writers.  We don’t lie, of course, we don’t say a piece is ready to be sent out to editors until we feel it is, since that would only harm the writer.  But we don’t belittle.  We consider what the writer is trying to accomplish with his or her work, and if that intention hasn’t been met, we try to figure out why.  Is the dialogue off?  Does this character need more work?  Is the pacing too slow here?  Is something unclear?  It should ALWAYS be about making the work better.

I have found one thing to be universally true — if a writer is confident in her own work, she is wonderfully generous in their support of other writers.  When a writer fears his own work is a pile of poo, that’s when the nastiness begins.  It’s so sad to see, since the other universal truth is that ALL writers fear their work isn’t good enough; all writers fear rejection and harsh criticism.  To continue to write in spite of that — and remain a decent human being — takes effort, in my case in the spiritual realm. Not recognizing that fear as being the work-destroying trickster that it is not only destroys one’s fellow writers, and possibly undermines the group itself, ultimately it stops the fearful writer from doing any good work herself.

I’ve heard stories of writing workshops where the criticism is so harsh and the gossip so rampant that people end up in tears, and in some cases they stop coming, stop writing altogether.  What a crime.  I’m not saying everyone in my workshops will publish.  They won’t.  But that doesn’t mean they should stop writing, stop trying to make meaning of the world around them by telling their stories.  What better way is there to lead one’s life, if one is born with the writing gene?  We give honest feedback, pointing out weak spots, praising great writing, and always encouraging people to keep going.

So, I want to take a minute to thank my students for being not only fine and dedicated writers, but fine human beings, kind and supportive and truthful.  Together we have created the sort of group where friendship and long-lasting bonds are formed — two valuable assets in anyone’s life, but certainly in a writer’s.  We have created a group in which all members feel safe bringing their blood-and-tear-stained pages, knowing they will be greeted with open minds, open hearts and encouragement.

There’s always room at the table for one more. . . if you’re interested.

Keep writing!!

14 Comments

  1. Vicki Weisfeld on April 28, 2014 at 11:59 am

    I agree that it seems everyone in the group is pleased at the progress we’ve all made. Almost as if it’s a group success!

    • Lauren B. Davis on April 28, 2014 at 12:10 pm

      It does seem like that, doesn’t it? Well, we ALL learn so much. Me included.

  2. Linda C. Wisniewski on April 28, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    Funny, I was telling a friend on Sunday that it was so nice to see the progress of others in this workshop. Not so easy to see my own, but that’s why I need the others and our fearless leader. When the leader is strong, makes and enforces the rules, and is kind and encouraging, students appreciate that and are free to feel safe exposing our work.

    • Lauren B. Davis on April 29, 2014 at 9:50 am

      Your work IS progressing beautifully, Linda. Have no doubts. Well, that’s a silly thing to say, isn’t it, since ALL writers have doubts. It’s the fear that makes us prickly sometimes. Much has to do with the group itself. Learning to critique well and truthfully, while still being genuinely enthusiastic and pleased for others when the work is good, and encouraging when it still needs work, is a real skill. Not everyone can learn it, I’m sad to say.

  3. Donna Wolfe on April 29, 2014 at 11:13 am

    Congratulations Lauren on creating a safe space for writers, no matter what level. And yes, it is like we are creating an upward spiral in which each person’s success takes us all to a new level.
    I look forward to us all being together for a long time to come and getting better and better.

    • Lauren B. Davis on April 29, 2014 at 11:15 am

      Thanks, Donna! We can’t wait to see what happens to Chowder and Angel!

  4. Rachelle on April 29, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    Lauren: Linda and Donna encapsulated my sentiments. As a new member of STQ, my fears were abated by your leadership critiquing my first submission and leading our group during feedback. Our group reflects your approach and I am appreciative for the honesty shared each month. We all bring something unique to the table and after each workshop you make us feel compelled to go home and write! Thank you for your support.

    • Lauren B. Davis on April 29, 2014 at 12:55 pm

      I’m so pleased, Rachelle. It’s so important to make new members feel welcome, and you ARE! Keep writing. Keep coming back. We’re dying to know what happens to Anna next!

  5. David Henry on April 30, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    Lauren, I can’t think of a better place to be as an evolving writer than in your extraordinary class. Congratulations indeed.

    • Lauren B. Davis on April 30, 2014 at 7:41 pm

      Watching your work develop has been such a gift, David. I’m so glad you’re with us.

  6. Laura Shiels on May 4, 2014 at 4:42 pm

    Hi Lauren et al.,
    The class was recommended to me by a lady minister some time ago. Since then the only class I missed was because of Hurricane Irene, when I was marooned in Chicago. I learn so much every class from the handout, your accompanying lecture, in-class exercises, reading &; critiquing the works of classmates — and above all trying to arrive at 1200 words per submission by eliminating the dross.

    I had a longstanding writing block until the first few in-class exercises. That disappeared pronto. I even read one aloud. All it took was one terrific teacher, eager to impart her knowledge, critical acumen and unfailing good humor. A privilege, truly.

    • Lauren B. Davis on May 4, 2014 at 7:38 pm

      Always a pleasure having you in the class, Laura! Keep writing.

  7. Wendy on June 19, 2014 at 1:48 am

    Wish I lived in Princeton so I could enjoy what is obviously a wonderful group from the comments of those who attend.

    • Lauren B. Davis on June 19, 2014 at 8:51 am

      If ever you’re in the neighborhood, Wendy…

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