you can do this
year of writing magically workshop
There's a story inside of you waiting to be told.It's time to tell it.
it's not just you
Writing is hard
You want to write. You may even already have an idea you're excited about. You may not understand why it's so hard to do something you enjoy.Maybe it's because you're trying to fit writing in the margins of your life, instead of making room in your life for writing.
write with people who get it
People aren't meant to be alone. When you work in a supportive community while learning from an experienced guide how to whistle for your inspiration to make it come to you, writing might still be hard, but it can also be fun, inspiring, and exciting.
create the space you need
Lessons. Exercises. Brainstorming. Community. Special guest events. And, most of all, time. You have a year to discover, draft, and twice revise your long-form project.A year of writing magically.
It's not about time, it's about energy.
prioritize writing
Why is it so hard to do something you love? Overwhelm.Life asks a lot of you, your energy is a finite resource, and writing requires a great deal of energy. Making a space in your life for writing rather than shoving writing into the margins of your life can make the difference between thinking about that fiction project and actually writing it.This is your chance to prioritize what's important to you, along with a community of people doing the same.
this year could be your year
unlock your magic
Magic is what you bring to a story.Craft is how you make that magic accessible to others.In the Year of Writing Magically Workshop, you will learn how to combine these elements under the guidance of story expert Lani Diane Rich. Through her college classes, podcasts and book How Story Works, Lani has taught hundreds of writers how to translate their inspiration into finished stories and in this workshop, she will personally guide you from wanting to write to having a finished product ready to shop or independently publish.
year of writing magically workshop
details
SMALL COHORT
Your year of writing magically happens with a small cohort of 10-20 students who will work alongside you on their projects, creating a supportive, bonded community.
COMMUNITY SPACE
The cohort will have a private digital space in which to work and hang out with each other and Lani, who will be available to answer questions and provide support.
STORY-FOCUSED, FORM AGNOSTIC
Novels, screenplays, graphic novels, stage plays, TV series pilots... we're focused on story, and story is form-independent. All genres welcome.
A PACE THAT CAN FIT IN YOUR BUSY LIFE
The cohort will receive skills videos with full transcripts every other Saturday, and the following Saturday will be a live Zoom session for discussion of skills, sharing progress, setting goals, Q&A, and community connection. All live events will be recorded if you can't make it.
CALENDAR
For 10 months (March-December), we will break the workshop up into chunks walking through the long-form fiction writing process.
• March/April: Discovery
• May/June: Drafting
• July: Put The Thing Down/critique skills workshop
• August/September: Revision 1
• October: Pass the Thing On/pass-it-on critiques with cohort/skills workshops
• November/December: Revision 2 + Query and Synopsis
NO RIPPING ANYTHING APART
YOWM is not a place for brutal honesty, or brutality of any sort. You will learn how to give and take positive feedback and work from your strengths. As a matter of fact, until we get past revision 1 and into pass-it-on critiques, the only feedback anyone in this class will give or receive is "What's your favorite part?"
YOWM ETHOS
There will be no taste snobbery. We will always be kind and put each other's best interests first. There will be no tolerance for white supremacy culture, homophobia, misogyny, antisemitism, ableism, or any other form of social power harm. We will write like we're on fire. We will chase joy and inspiration. We will support and encourage each other. What happens in YOWM stays in YOWM; that means we will all work to create a safe space for sharing where everyone knows that what they share is respected and confidential.
FREE TEXT
The cohort, regardless of where they live in the world, will receive their choice of a complementary ebook version, audiobook version or signed paperback version of How Story Works.
SPECIAL EVENTS
There will be 3-5 special events throughout the workshop. These will include special guests, established writers, and/or industry professional Q&As.
CRITIQUE DISCOUNTS
Anyone who completes the workshop and wants a full or partial critique of their finished project from Lani will be able to purchase one after the workshop at a 25% discount.
2024 TUITION: TBA
WORKSHOP ASSISTANT POSITION AVAILABLE
There is one position available for a Workshop Assistant who will help with administrative tasks. This person will receive the workshop at half-price, and also receive a complementary full critique of their final project from Lani. Details in the application.
COMPARATIVE PROGRAMS
Fishtrap: $7,250 for a 13-month programLoft: 12-month program for $7500,Elizabeth Sharp McKetta: 12-months, $6000
time to unlock your magic
Year of writing magically
The Year of Writing Magically Workshop is closed for 2023.
If you are interested in joining the mailing list for the 2024 workshop, please submit your email address below, and you'll be the first to know when the workshop opens up again next year.
©2023 Lani Diane Rich. All rights reserved.