Everything you need to know about WITD's new 9-month slow-writing program for people serious about advancing their craft and joyful about "doing language better" in a cohort of others seeking the same
I just asked to be added to the wait list. What a fabulous group of writing to learn with. If not this year, then next. While my preferred form is poetry, I've learned so much from doing what I've not done previously: essays, non-fiction. After reading a brief essay on Flash you wrote, Jeannine, I got quite excited that Flash will be another genre to explore. When I was close to dying, I regretted that I didn't put myself in a position to put writing in the center of my life. Jeannine, you have given me a way to write freely about what I didn't know I needed to write about. Thank you again for this generative approach to writing and for creating, as I said above, such a soulful community of writers.
It's really wonderful to hear this from you, Ray. Really wonderful. And we're finalizing our plans for the WITD synchronous live programming for next year, and will be in touch soon!
I'd like to know how it works to be in such a large group. Everyone on zoom, mostly listening to Jeannie and others? This happens once a month. Then we get posts from Jeannie that are like exercises/prompts to work on. Then with the two hours a week minimum, suggested for how much time we'll spend in school, does this include commenting and cohort time? Not time writing? Where will the sharing of what we read closelyl together happen? And the separate link for school means it will be the place where everyone in school comments and chats with each other? I tend to get lost fast!
I'm overwhelmed as it is by doing this substack. I really like it but spend a lot of time being lost. It's the first time I joined anything like this. I want support and a push to write.
Is this the first school? So no one has done this before?
Yay, Suzanne!! Note the sessions are THIRD Thursdays of each month -- the dated we have listed should be correct but let me know if you have any questions!!
I’ve always loved the idea of going back to school and although my life is insanely busy right now, I feel I can’t afford to miss it because I got so much out of the one intensive I completed. I’m especially looking forward to the small working groups. Do you have an idea about how you’ll structure them?
Hi, Deb--I am so so so excited to think of writing with you in SCHOOL! The groups will be structured during the first month of SCHOOL, based on some simple questions and rankings we'll ask from writers who want to be in small groups to determine primary needs & interests (ie book manuscript, completing shorter work, additional close reading of published, fiction vs CNF, reading partners, etc.). We don't want to get too firm with the categories until we hear from all of you!
I am interested in The School but wonder if the emphasis will be on studying fiction writers or are essays/nonfiction included. I am more interested in developing my skills in the latter.
We have not finalized the readings yet, but my genres are, in the following order: CNF/essays, fiction, poetry. So, in SCHOOL, we will likely read a little more CNF and less of the other two, though we'll probably dip into all three wells. I won't teach a ton of poetry in School but I often find poems helpful for illuminating certain elements of craft, and inevitably they will come up in our discussions (ie Oh, this is like what Marie Howe does in The Boy, etc etc). But, most of the visiting writers are nonfiction, if that helps! The idea in School is to have time to read some full-length essays and possibly a full story or two, as well, not solely flash-length work or brief excerpts, which is what we do in the main WITD exercises. We would love to write with you!
Thank you for your swift reply!! I am a photographer and really want to improve my writing skills in reference to my images. I want to tell more story, give more depth to my work.
Tbh (and I absolutely do NOT say this to everyone!), your aims sound pretty perfect for School. When writers tell me their main goal is to finish their book, I try to be very transparent that School is not a "book in a year" program (plenty of those exist). It's a slow-writing program for immersing ourselves fully and deeply in specific elements of writing craft through the art of slow reading, discussion, and "playing" with writing exercises. That's great for people to use to write scenes for their books, so it can work really well as long as those writers are realistic about what it will and won't be. In your case, it sounds like you already are realistic because your aims are directly aligned with what we will be doing. Let me know if you have any other questions!
V excited by the idea of this but is it ok for us UK based folk to watch the recordings instead of attending live zooms? I don't want to miss discussion but it will be way past the time this ageing body can manage!
I was worried that I couldn't afford SCHOOL, and then I realized that I can't afford to NOT be in SCHOOL. I'm looking forward to working with and learning from all of you gorgeous writers. Especially you, Jeannine. You just have a special magic about you, and I'm ready to immerse myself in it. Do I get to buy a new backpack now? XO
I'm so happy for everyone who joins this course! What a phenomenal opportunity to learn together with Jeannine. I love this community of writers. We lift each other up - when one of us advances, we all benefit.
I commented on your re-stack of this post, but I want you to know we have a sliding fee scale and will grant as many requests as possible with notification in August. We have to get those requests via email to writing@writinginthedark.org, if you want to send one! xo
I just asked to be added to the wait list. What a fabulous group of writing to learn with. If not this year, then next. While my preferred form is poetry, I've learned so much from doing what I've not done previously: essays, non-fiction. After reading a brief essay on Flash you wrote, Jeannine, I got quite excited that Flash will be another genre to explore. When I was close to dying, I regretted that I didn't put myself in a position to put writing in the center of my life. Jeannine, you have given me a way to write freely about what I didn't know I needed to write about. Thank you again for this generative approach to writing and for creating, as I said above, such a soulful community of writers.
It's really wonderful to hear this from you, Ray. Really wonderful. And we're finalizing our plans for the WITD synchronous live programming for next year, and will be in touch soon!
Just registered!! I am feeling fear and excitement. Great timing to dive into my creative side. Can’t wait for SCHOOL!!! 🩵
Yay, Amy!
Registered just before the early bird. Excited to be part of this an make some time for writer-me.
I HAVE to write about my husband’s death.i don’t know if i can — it’s hard. But it’s been a year and his death picture is inscribed
In my mind. Geez — why did I take a picture?
I believe I have signed up but can’t find the confirmation of it. Help!!
Lisa Vice
I'd like to know how it works to be in such a large group. Everyone on zoom, mostly listening to Jeannie and others? This happens once a month. Then we get posts from Jeannie that are like exercises/prompts to work on. Then with the two hours a week minimum, suggested for how much time we'll spend in school, does this include commenting and cohort time? Not time writing? Where will the sharing of what we read closelyl together happen? And the separate link for school means it will be the place where everyone in school comments and chats with each other? I tend to get lost fast!
I'm overwhelmed as it is by doing this substack. I really like it but spend a lot of time being lost. It's the first time I joined anything like this. I want support and a push to write.
Is this the first school? So no one has done this before?
Hi, Lisa — I’ll try to answer some of your questions tomorrow. ❤️
It feels incredible to commit to this effort (and reward) with you all, and to add our sessions to my calendar through May 2025!
It’s the commitment, community, accountability and sustenance I have needed!
❤️🎏🤹🏻♀️
Yay, Suzanne!! Note the sessions are THIRD Thursdays of each month -- the dated we have listed should be correct but let me know if you have any questions!!
I've emailed about this but not yet had a reply- I'm super keen but had a couple of questions. Would love to hear back from you before prices go up.
Hi, Ruth--I am so sorry if we missed your email. I will go look for it now!
Ruth, I searched both jeannine@writinginthedark.org and writing@writinginthedark.org and didn't find any email from Ruth Abrams. Could you go ahead and send your questions to the writing@writinginthedark.org account and I'll try to answer what I can today? Thank you, and thank you for your interest in SCHOOL.
How strange, thank you for looking, resending it right now.
Great, thank you, I am watching for it.
Ruth, I just found it in spam. Will get right back to you!!
Hooray, thanks so much!
I’ve always loved the idea of going back to school and although my life is insanely busy right now, I feel I can’t afford to miss it because I got so much out of the one intensive I completed. I’m especially looking forward to the small working groups. Do you have an idea about how you’ll structure them?
Hi, Deb--I am so so so excited to think of writing with you in SCHOOL! The groups will be structured during the first month of SCHOOL, based on some simple questions and rankings we'll ask from writers who want to be in small groups to determine primary needs & interests (ie book manuscript, completing shorter work, additional close reading of published, fiction vs CNF, reading partners, etc.). We don't want to get too firm with the categories until we hear from all of you!
I can’t wait!!
I am interested in The School but wonder if the emphasis will be on studying fiction writers or are essays/nonfiction included. I am more interested in developing my skills in the latter.
We have not finalized the readings yet, but my genres are, in the following order: CNF/essays, fiction, poetry. So, in SCHOOL, we will likely read a little more CNF and less of the other two, though we'll probably dip into all three wells. I won't teach a ton of poetry in School but I often find poems helpful for illuminating certain elements of craft, and inevitably they will come up in our discussions (ie Oh, this is like what Marie Howe does in The Boy, etc etc). But, most of the visiting writers are nonfiction, if that helps! The idea in School is to have time to read some full-length essays and possibly a full story or two, as well, not solely flash-length work or brief excerpts, which is what we do in the main WITD exercises. We would love to write with you!
Thank you for your swift reply!! I am a photographer and really want to improve my writing skills in reference to my images. I want to tell more story, give more depth to my work.
Tbh (and I absolutely do NOT say this to everyone!), your aims sound pretty perfect for School. When writers tell me their main goal is to finish their book, I try to be very transparent that School is not a "book in a year" program (plenty of those exist). It's a slow-writing program for immersing ourselves fully and deeply in specific elements of writing craft through the art of slow reading, discussion, and "playing" with writing exercises. That's great for people to use to write scenes for their books, so it can work really well as long as those writers are realistic about what it will and won't be. In your case, it sounds like you already are realistic because your aims are directly aligned with what we will be doing. Let me know if you have any other questions!
V excited by the idea of this but is it ok for us UK based folk to watch the recordings instead of attending live zooms? I don't want to miss discussion but it will be way past the time this ageing body can manage!
I hear you! But maybe us UK/ Europeans could form a working group and go through recordings together.
There are several Europeans enrolled, so I am hoping that this can be a strategy, yes!
I've never bought something so expensive so fast. I can't wait for this!
Wow, Alli!! I am so happy to write with you in SCHOOL!
I was worried that I couldn't afford SCHOOL, and then I realized that I can't afford to NOT be in SCHOOL. I'm looking forward to working with and learning from all of you gorgeous writers. Especially you, Jeannine. You just have a special magic about you, and I'm ready to immerse myself in it. Do I get to buy a new backpack now? XO
Hahaha Katrina, for real though, this really touched me, thank you. I do think we should have backpacks. And crayons.
I want in. So I’m in. I’m in a season of following my wants.
I can’t want to be SCHOOLED ✨✨
I'm so happy for everyone who joins this course! What a phenomenal opportunity to learn together with Jeannine. I love this community of writers. We lift each other up - when one of us advances, we all benefit.
Ahhhh. If i had but money and time. Good luck with this enriching endevour.
I commented on your re-stack of this post, but I want you to know we have a sliding fee scale and will grant as many requests as possible with notification in August. We have to get those requests via email to writing@writinginthedark.org, if you want to send one! xo