Life Writers is organized into four-month sessions, three times per year:

• • • • February, March, April, May
      • June, July, August, September
      • 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: visit the Writers CAFE (Conversation, Answers, Friends & Fun, Engagement) where you receive answers to your questions and discuss a topic of interest – all VIP members, participate in a live feedback session
      • Week three: participate in a live master class drawn from the selected memoir
      • Week four: participate in a live feedback session via Zoom

Use the final month of the session to catch up on your reading, videos, or use the time to write, and on the third Thursday, we have our final book discussion.

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.