Life Writers is organized into four-month sessions, three times per year:
1. February, March, April, May
2. June, July, August, September
3. October, November, December, January
Each session is guided by an overarching theme or topic, around which the lessons, assignments, and readings are focused. Writers have the opportunity to cultivate stronger writing techniques in this particular area during each four-month session. For example, one session might focus on setting, and in another session, we zero in on characterization.
Life Writers members read a memoir that complements the session’s theme or topic. Through teachings, writing exercises, and group discussions, members learn how to read like a writer by identifying and employing techniques popular memoirists use.
Members are placed into buddy groups of three or four members for the duration of each four-month session. This group functions as an important source of support, encouragement, and insight on shared writings. Buddy groups are a core part of Life Writers’ mission to cultivate a thriving writing community.
Life Writers members gather at the end of each month for live feedback sessions. In private breakout rooms, Life Writers join other members to give and receive feedback on text prepared in prior weeks.
Months one through three of the session follow this format:
Week one: an instructional video is released with a note-taking outline, handout (as needed), and writing assignment
Week two: an instructional video is released with a note-taking outline, handout (as needed), and writing assignment – drop in for open office hours with Patricia – all VIP members, participate in a live feedback session
Week three: participate in a live master class drawn from the selected memoir
Week four: an instructional video is released with a note-taking outline, handout (as needed), and writing assignment – drop in for open office hours with Patricia – participate in a live feedback session via Zoom.
In the final month, we will continue to meet live on Tuesdays as listed above, but no new content or instructional videos will be released to allow members a chance to finish the session well, explore some of the other content on the Life Writers site, and participate in the Free Five-Day Writing Challenge if desired.
The level of participation in Life Writers is decided by the member. All that is offered is done so with an open hand for each member to pick and choose what works best for him/her.
Time to shine, Life Writers. Let’s show your stuff at Read and Celebrate, our end-of-session extravaganza where we invite family and friends and read stories written during the last four months. Then, we hoop and holler and let you know what a rock star you are!
All live events, with the exception of group-wide feedback sessions, are recorded and can be viewed at any time.