The Writing Salon

I recently came across the pleasure to sit with Kate Montgomery in her ‘Mapping the Story’ one day workshop. It was my first class with The Writing Salon and a wonderful experience. Check in was a breeze. The class was conveniently located with ample free parking, in an intimate space yet with plenty of room to move about. Some light snacks and fruit were offered, as well as coffee and water. Upon arrival, I felt comfortable to focus and allow myself to be inspired.
Kate was a highly enjoyable leader for the day — and she navigated the lessons with confidence and sass. She sent us home with many handouts that I will absolutely be referencing as I am just getting started on my memoire. Kate was easy going yet supportive as she led us through the framework of a story outline. As a group, we collaborated using this framework on a live creation example. It was very illustrative of how concepts and elements can be applied. Kate was funny and engaging. She did a good job making sure all students were engaged participants. It was a really fun day and money well spent to learn how to craft the bones of a story line.
Thank you for offering this workshop; sometimes people just want to know more guidance about one element of writing, without taking a whole series. In the future I would try to market the class a bit more, if only just a basic flyer in nearby coffee shops and yoga studios. Our class was somewhat small, but this allowed for more intimate instruction which was fabulous. I highly recommend Kate, and look forward to other classes with The Writing Salon.

The Writing Salon has been an incredible resource for me. I took Kathleen Mcclung’s memoir class three times and then co-​founded an on-​going writers group with classmates. I can also recommend Junse Kim’s great teaching from a Kearny Street Workshop he taught years ago. and Jane underwoods’s Round Robin was a kick! Several pieces of my pieces, including some published one, arose from WRiting Salon prompts. Thank you, Jane Underwood for creating this amazing resource. Long may it wave!!!

I just finished two classes in Berkeley, Intro to Fiction and Beginning Your Novel. Both teachers, Junse Kim and Elaine Beale were really top notch and I would highly recommend them or the Writing Salon for classes.

I was wary of taking a class at The Writing Salon for a long time because I was worried it would be too much of a congratulatory lovefest. I wanted a workshop where we would get down and dirty in trying to improve our work. I’m glad I got over my fears and just took a class because I was totally proven wrong. That’s not to say that the environment isn’t warm and intimate and big-​hearted, because it is. But it’s also rigorous in examining what is and isn’t working and not quick to praise work as complete when there is more work to be done.
I’ve taken many (maybe too many) workshops in my life, including at high school, college, and graduate levels, along with at retreats and conferences. Julie Bruck’s poetry workshops rank among the best. I feel extremely lucky to have the opportunity to participate in them and not even have to commute out of my neighborhood. In addition, Julie is just a wonderful and kind soul (and incredibly accomplished poet). Whether you’re new to writing or are a published author, you’ll find the Writing Salon a great place to go to continue and improve your writing practice.

The Daily Write class is the first writing class I’ve ever taken and I had high expectations before starting the class. The experience is beyond what I hoped for and I’m learning from the other students as well as Jane’s guidance through the first day workshop and daily writing prompts. The practice of writing daily helps get through my blocks and opens up my creativity to a new level. I highly recommend the Daily Write to writers of all abilities.

This place is amazing.
A warm nest that inspires the writer in all of us.
I have been taking classes here since August and have loved and learned from each one of them. I have been inspired and brought to tears by the other writers that take class here as well.
I could’t ask for a better place to keep me motivated and on task.
Jane is awesome, funny and very insightful and got me off my butt!
Kathleen is nurturing, warm and a great support.
If you are thinking of writing, need some help or a kick in the pants — take a class here, you will not regret it.

I’ve been here many times over the years. Classes can be good or mediocre, but I’ve never had a bad experience. Their refund policy is a bit draconian, so book wisely! Having said that, the instructors are caring and talented (for the most part!), the location is near many eating spots, parking has never been a problem, and the amount of knowledge you get from a one-​day workshop is akin to a mini-​MFA bootcamp. I love coming here to recharge my writing juices and I thank Jane for making the Writing Salon the place that it is. Clean bathroom, snacks, and coffee make this a comfy experience for all.

The Writing Salon is a great resource and the Round Robin has opened up my writing and enabled me to develop a daily writing practice. Jane has a special touch with the prompts. She’s created a class that really works, as long as you are able to work with it, which means writing daily and also offering positive feedback on your partner of the week’s writing.
I’ve also taken a food writing class through the Writing Salon, which offered practical advice and a supportive environment for getting published.

I love the writing salon! I haven’t found anything like it for turning casual writers into dedicated writers. The instructors are wonderful especially Joshua Mohr and Karen Bjornby.

The writing salon is a well-​orchestrated, low-​pressure experience, with highly-​qualified and competent instructors. Of special note are Junse Kim and Chris DeLorenzo — sort of the yin (Kim) and yang (DeLorenzo) of the structured v. free-​form class continuum. Both guys rock!
I am only giving this a 4 due to the facility — the one in Berkeley is great; the one on York Street has a bizarre «safe-​house» feel to it, and you can’t exit the tiny room at break time due to what is likely a megalomaniacal HOA.
Otherwise, kudos!

I have taken a novel writing class with Karen Bjorneby and a fiction foundation class with Junse Kim. Both were excellent, and they have inspired me to look at writing in a new way (specifically, that revision is writing).
I am starting a third class with Karen on July 16, and am looking forward to finishing up my first draft so I can get to the re-​writing: who knew I’d ever be excited about revision?!
I can definitely speak for Karen and Junse, who are both excellent teachers although their styles differ a bit. Jane Underwood has a good vetting process for her workshop instructors, and everyone I’ve spoken to has had good experiences with the classes they’ve taken. Highly recommended.

Love this whole adult education thing! School minus the pressure plus cake!
I took Alison Luterman’s memoir/​personal essay class in Berkeley and ended up writing a lot, getting great feedback and meeting some very interesting & talented people. All in all a very positive experience.
Bonus points for the yummy snacks and tea. Everything is better with treats.
Prices are steeper than I’m used to so I have to save up for the next class!

I took a class here one Saturday afternoon, and it was SO much fun. The class was «Exploring Your Writer’s Voice,» with Chris DeLorenzo. It was a very nurturing, positive environment. A couple of really strong writers were in my group, and being around them helped me come out of my shell and do some writing. Chris was a great teacher. He knew how to facilitate the conversation, and the exercises he came up with were very stimulating. My favorite was the one where he brought out a bunch of beautiful, mysterious vintage postcards. He asked us each to pick the one that draws us most, and to write a little piece about it. I wanted so much to sign up for an actual recurring class, but my work schedule prevented me from doing so at the time. However, I hope to do that in the spring.

I’ve taken many classes at TWS: poetry, essay, and many, many Round
Robin sessions. They’ve all been excellent, and have opened doors to
further writing and comraderie, a word I use so rarely I’m not even
sure how to spell it. Teachers & students all excellent; tuition
definitely also an excellent value. What’s not to like? The results you
see in your own work and that of others will surprise and delight you.

OK, I still love the classes. Specifically Luterman’s essay class. It was a humbling experience though. I am used to writing perfect 1^st drafts and getting A pluses on them. Reading to a bunch of writers is a whole other story. However, the critics make you stronger, right?
I’m too poor to take classes next season. :(But, check it out! You people can all come together and buy me gift certificates to help me pay for the $ 300 + essay continuation class that I want!
Come on, help a writer moonlighting as a poor biochemist out…

I was initially skeptical because I’m a man and I don’t go to Salons. I’ve always considered myself more of a Writing Barber man, and I’ll admit that I was tempted by the Writing Flowbee. But now that I’ve taken several classes at the Salon, I’m hooked.
Here’s why:
— Insightful, supportive, fun teachers
— Diverse, friendly, motivated students
— Snacks
AND you become a better writer
I’m going to trade in my pickup truck and get me a pen and paper.

Love the intimate, un-​intimidating setting. Instructors are incredibly well-​versed and passionate about what they do. Choose your class wisely.
Pros: It’s writing! True writing! Welcomes writers of all different levels. Short, long classes. Cozy classroom.
Cons: Be choosy of the class.
Granted, I had high expectations (and anticipation) before I took this class. For the longest time, I wanted to hone my craft of writing. However, it was difficult to find a class that fit my schedule. I finally took Memoirs taught by Maureen Murdock.
Here’s my caveat: I have been writing in some form since I was 6. Any major event in my life I have thoroughly documented (I am anal like that), published in a blog/​journal that nobody reads and have come to terms with people reading my work.
Unfortunately, the class was geared toward beginning writers – writers who had difficulty finding their voice. The class became almost a therapy session with people crying over past mistakes and trauma. I did find that the different perspectives offered great insight and different ways to express ourselves, but I had been looking for different ways to write (or even perhaps receive advice).
Maureen was an excellent instructor, but the students gave the class a different color. She gave us a book list of suggested readings and also tips of how to better express ourselves. We spent the class reading writing samples and doing several writing exercises. I felt that there could have been… maybe more groupwork? Peerwork? Because when we did share our work, it was with the entire class without building the trust first.
Regardless, it was a short small class (just the entire Saturday 9 – 4). Next time, I will take a longer class because that I hope will offer more space to learn and grow.

This place changed my life.
I went in so lost, knowing I want to write, but just not knowing where to start. All the writing cliches abound, but alas, this is serious. My career!
Lisa Alpine led their Travel Writing Workshop, and was gentle, informative, a great listener. She even successfully sidestepped those 4 people in every group who never open their mouths. Takers!
Ours was the make-​up of a typical Contiki tour group. The larger, older couple with lots of questions about the Big World of the Net. The chick who arrives late and never makes eye-​contact. The over-​eager nerd who can’t stop raising his hand. And the couple who in any other locale would be plastered.
The SF location is cozy, inspiring, pretty centralish and clean. This whole hush thing in the corridor, and buzzing people in is a pain and tiresome, but don’t let that put you off. Reminded me a little of preschool, which makes you want to giggle, and get in trouble all over again.
Thanks to Lisa, and the Writing Salon, I now have a plan, a step-​by-​step directive, and a whole new friend to go. I just wish they’d let us apply their membership fee retroactively after the first course. I mean, buying membership cold is like booking a hotel room en route to a blind date.
The fifth star is for the Good Earth sweet tea and mini chelsea buns.
I already got my money’s worth, and am writing up a storm. If you’re thinking about it, go!

Taking workshops at the Writing Salon has been a great experience — it not only has encouraged me to write and improved my writing, but it has introduced me to a great group of people — something a new girl in town definitely needs.
The fiction workshop has a laid-​back atmosphere with a positive attitude. There is enough structure to ensure that students are learning, with enough relaxation to nurture humor and bonding.

I recently took a memoir class from Janis Cooke. It was my first wring class since college and I was unsure if my interest and ability would be best suited to memoir, short stories and essays, or screen play writing. I chose Janis’ memoir class because it seemed broad enough to get me started. It turned out to be a great experience! You could find yourself in a class with people of totally varied experience from a novice to a professional writer. But the best part is there would be no reason for anyone to feel intimidated by lack of experience. It would be a valuable experience for writers of any level. I will absolutely take future classes at the writing salon and would especially like to take another class from Janis!

Okay, I’m giving the place five stars even though it’s my first non-​college writing class experience and so I have nothing to compare it to. I’m in the midst of my second class at the salon right now and absolutely loving it. The teachers are so completely down-​to-​earth (it’s SF, what did you expect?) and the little house in Bernal Heights is a cozy affair adorned on all walls with female artifacts: lots of high-​heeled shoes, paintings, photos, etc. Sitting on the couches in a circle with the resident nameless cat makes this place the perfect setting for writing. I also love the views from the kitchen and bathroom. It sometimes feels like a fog-​blown sea shanty on a great hill overlooking the ocean, even though it’s socked away in the middle of the city.
So far, the classes have been 96% female, which in my mind (heart?) creates a warmer, more welcoming and more creative vibe. And it’s probably got something to do with all the female imagery and brick-​a-​brack. But it can be a burden having to represent the male perspective all the time.
Bonus points for luring me to Bernal for the first time after living here three years. Cute place.

I’ve taken two fiction writing classes at The Writing Salon, and plan to take more. The instructors are great, and the classes are really small and intimate, making for a very encouraging environment. I feel like most of us don’t «create» enough, so I’d even recommend taking a class just to stretch your mind a bit. Relax, CSI Miami will be on again next week.