Writing Workshops Los Angeles

Absolutely fabulous. I’m just completing my first WWLA mixed levels non-​fiction course with Dawn Dorland and have just registered for a second. Dawn’s structure, guidance, knowledge, expertise, and teaching style are all top-​notch and have made our eight weeks together so productive and enriching. Her syllabus is extremely thoughtful and designed to make the most of the eight sessions, which include one devoted to submitting work for publication. The workload is healthy (I have a full-​time, non-​writing job), but extremely helpful and engaging. My fellow classmates are talented and lovely. It’s really been such a positive learning experience; there’s a reason I’m coming back for more!

I just finished Nonfiction, Mixed Levels with Dawn Dorland. It was fabulous.
Dawn was smart and organized, maximizing each moment of the class. The selected readings were a high point for me. They were thoughtful in their variety and ability to showcase the concepts of craft, leading to rich discussions. Each follow up lesson on craft was jam packed, making it clear that Dawn not only has explored the concepts with great depth and breadth, but that she also has a talent for collapsing it all into weighty, yet digestible bites for her students. The workshops, like the rest of class, were well run, supportive and constructive.
But besides smarts, Dawn also brought heart. She led the way for the class to not only be inspired, but also to connect with one another and their writing more deeply. I think each member of the class felt like they were a part of something special.
Thank you, Dawn. It was a transformative experience.

I was very skeptical when I signed up for the novel writing workshop with Kate Maruyama. I’ve been in many workshop settings throughout my writing career, and I often find that the feedback from the instructor and my peers is pretty rudimentary/​lackluster.
This workshop was inspiring, motivating and I learned quite a bit. Kate takes the time to really work with you on your piece and identifies what’s working for you and what isn’t in your piece and is able to help guide your next steps. Her feedback is genuine and it isn’t sugar coated. She also was key in orchestrating great workshop discussion.
Most of the people in the workshop were already working on a novel. I pretty much was starting from scratch and found the whole process and structure really useful. With anything, you will get what you put in. Be prepared to not only contribute your class time, but writing time outside of the workshop to truly get the most out of it.

I have taken two classes with WWLA, both of them with Chris Daley. I cannot recommend her enough! She is thorough, insightful, honest, and motivational. My writing significantly improved as a direct result of her classes. Excellent experience!

I have taken two workshops, here. Frankly, I didn’t know I had something worthwhile to say and frankly not anything worth having someone else read until Seth’s workshop. He is great!
I didn’t have the same experience with Chris Daley that others on here had. But her format is more rigid, but I see many others here and in my class loved her. I am a busy working professional so Seth’s class provided me an outlet and flexibility I believe in. I think there is a workshop here for anyone. Edan, is so helpful if you have questions, concerns, she will address them. Once I had to get a refund, because of an awkward situation and she was on it. I would highly recommend a class through this program. I am referring Seth’s workshops to my other writer friends, one already has commented on his amazing feedback. He is smart, sharp, and dead on. But also, inspiring and committed to your own voice.

I have taken so many classes here, I can’t even keep count! All of them have been not only positive but the highlight of my week. I feel challenged to work hard and to present my best work, as well as to see projects through to completion (something I am unable to accomplish on my own). Thanks to WWLA I have a finished novel and memoir, and I am still taking classes because they keep me writing every week. I have recommended all of my classes to friends. I feel very lucky to have found WWLA!

I have taken writing classes from WWLA for many years and have also attended their conference, which took place this past Summer. I took fiction for a number of years, both short fiction and novel writing with Edan and Nonfiction for the past year with Chris Daley. I have been inspired and have become a better writer as a result of both their classes. I feel that this school manages to stay right on that fine line where students feel supported as well as challenged to improve. I am always eager to get back to class and have been able to try new methods in every class. I feel I am a better writer as well as a more informed reader and have a greater love of literature as a whole because of WWLA, both in the fiction and nonfiction genres. Thank you for all the community, the technique lessons, as well as the support and encouragement to keep going!

I was entirely new to writing when I registered for Nonfiction I with Chris Daley. Eight weeks later I had a short story which is about to be published. This is a true testament to Chris as an instructor and a coach, as well as source of inspiration for anyone looking to write. Chris’s charm and sense of humor are key to the collaborative atmosphere she creates in her classes. She skillfully facilitates group discussions, so that everyone walks away with new ideas and volumes of helpful feedback on their work. Her reading assignments are always stimulating and relevant, while the writing prompts never fail to challenge you out of your comfort zone. Chris is a fantastic editor and a kind soul who genuinely wants you to succeed as a writer. I cannot wait for the next class with her.

I recently finished Seth Fischer’s Nonfiction II class and had a completely positive experience.
Seth has an amazing eye for structure and a gift for identifying how to improve a story regardless of the writing level of the author at hand — which is no small feat. I am not exaggerating when I say that he is the editor I have been waiting to meet for years. Not only will I definitely take another of his classes, but I recommend you do as well before someone snaps him up and begins paying him what is he actually worth. That is not a jab to WWLA, but just another compliment to his skill level.
As for the workshop structure, of course there will be some variation depending on who signs up for your particular class; our group was great.

Mary Guterson is superb at navigating her students through the classic building blocks of storytelling while providing an environment that encourages creativity. She is encouraging, open, and committed to her students. This is a great class that will stay with you.

Being new to LA, and recently rejected by many MFA programs, I found myself a bit lost to say the least. However, by chance, I found out about Writing Workshops LA and I’m happy to say that I am on my fourth round of taking Chris Daley’s Creative Nonfiction class. Not only have I found an intimate community of writers, but also direction. I may not be working towards an MFA, but am working towards completing my first book. My dedication page will definitely include Chris and her class.

Three terms of Chris Daley’s Creative Nonfiction workshops took me from being a life-​long journal writer with a hunch that others might be interested in my story, to a writer with a ten chapter book plan (written in Sharpie, so it’s real!) The environment in class is welcoming and constructive, Chris’s editing and feedback from the group is always thoughtful and invariably helpful. So glad i found this class.

Edan’s manuscript consultation through WWLA was the single most helpful writing instruction I’ve ever received — including four undergraduate years at NYU and three years post-​grad at USC. The review of my 450-​page document was thorough, meaningful, and smart. Couldn’t ask for better. I’m now enrolled in the Novel class and am very excited to be a part of it.

I have been studying with Chris Daley for the past half year and have just re-​upped for another class. Her creative nonfiction class (essays/​memoirs) has been instrumental in pushing my work further. Chris creates an environment that feels both safe and challenging. One of my pet peeves is when a class is «soft» and everything turned in gets met with unconditional praise. I always feel like I’ve wasted my money and could have simply asked my mom to read the piece! That said, I’m not a glutton for punishment either :) Chris’s style is honest and supportive. You get real feedback and the inspiration to take it to the next level. This class is a hidden gem.

The class was disappointing. Chris Daley taught the class and showed a lack of professionalism on two occasions. I would not recommend taking a class from her. Edan’s solution to my very mild comment was to tell me to drop the class. A bit extreme. When I tried to ask her about speaking to her directly she told me she could not because her cell phone was broken but she might be able to get her husband’s. Who runs a business without a phone?

I’ve taken several fiction workshops in college and other settings and I don’t hesitate to say that the WWLA fiction class I took was the single most interesting and most valuable fiction class I have taken. You will be inspired to try new techniques, intrigued by discussions on the subtleties of craft, motivated to get the work done, and made welcome to share your work.
The assigned reading was very well chosen, and included theoretical material and sample stories from both established and lesser known writers. The in-​class writing assignments were unique and provocative. Class discussions were chosen based on the students’ interests, not a generic fiction curriculum. Edan’s teaching style is relaxed and personable, and yet she keeps discussions focused, stays on agenda, and respects the value of time.
I was most impressed by the structure of the in-​class critiques each writer receives for a story they submit. I don’t want to disclose Edan’s method in any detail, but suffice it to say that our critiques were amazingly well structured around the twin goals of sensitivity to writer’s ego and the need for candid feedback.
If you want to hone your craft, meet new writers, or you simply need a push to get yourself writing again, you’d be silly not to sign up with WWLA.

These workshops and teachers are absolutely stellar. Edan is a graduate of the University of Iowa Writing Program and that’s a serious credential. She’s serious about leading and teaching and always offers perceptive and practical insights. She’s warm, funny and mad for writing. I have not experienced the other teachers, but if Edan picked them they must be really good. The website will cover the details, but as a writer who needs encouragement and support as well as excellent commentary and editing, (pretty much what all writers need), I can assure you this is a exceptional program. Edan’s dog, Omar Little, who is little, is also an important attraction.

I hadn’t written in quite some time, and was needing an environment that would provide a strong amount of instruction as well as a space where I could feel confident in sharing my work. Edan’s class provides all of that and more, all held within her cozy living room. Each participant is encouraged to speak freely and share their opinions. The short form fiction class focuses on weekly writing and reading assignments, in class exercises. By the second half of the 8 week course, we had to turn in a finished short story to be read and critiqued by everyone in the class.
The experience opened me up to writing more frequently, more freely and with more confidence. Edan is engaging as a teacher, her «lectures» are more of a conversational nature. She pays close attention to everyone in the room, and spends, what seems to be, hours on detailed notes on the pages of submitted weekly assignments. Her commentary is never askew. In fact, I have even noticed that I observe things while reading that I never would have before. So not only have I been opened up as a writer, I have grown to be more discerning as a reader as well! Good going Edan! I can’t wait to return!