Writing workshops: the good, the bad, and the funky.
The pros and cons of in-person vs. online, synchronous vs. asynchronous from someone who's done it all.
Writing workshops: we creative folks love them, we hate them, we need them. If you’ve ever been part of a workshop, you know the drill: Workshops, consisting of a small group of writers, meet regularly to critique one another’s works-in-progress and offer support and accountability. Some meet in person, some meet online, some are structured to a T, others are loosey-goosey discussions that span several hours. Since 2021, I have participated in four workshops, all wildly different in format, all involving benefits and disadvantages. This week, we’ll be exploring the various workshop types, and I’ll also be sharing my personal experiences. If you’re looking for a workshop, I hope my insights help you determine the best fit for you.
But before we get started, one thing to keep in mind: Finding the right workshop for you is akin to speed dating. (Or slow dating? It took me five years to find my ideal group.) You might have to shop around.
In-Person Workshops
With the solitary nature of writing, is it any wonder that the ever-elusive in-person workshop is a desire for so many of us? I have been participating in an in-person group for the last six months, and it quickly became my favorite workshop format. After spending five years in online groups, it felt refreshing to have an off-screen social appointment in my calendar. For me, it is as much about the writing as the socialization—for the first time in a while, I am making new friends who love writing as much as I do, who get my sense of humor, and work hard on their craft while not taking themselves too seriously. It is important to genuinely enjoy a good portion of your fellow workshop members and look forward to seeing them several times a month.
Structure and location are vital factors. My workshop slots perfectly into my life as someone with a spouse, no kids, and a remote job. We meet twice a month at a brewery about 20 minutes from my house. Each workshop focuses on one writer’s piece, up to 30 pages. Workshop is split into two discussion periods: the first allows each member a turn to give their feedback, and after a brief break, we gather for a loose discussion. The writer typically does not speak during this time, but has the opportunity at the end to bring up any points that may have been missed. The entire process lasts about two hours. I always stay afterward for another hour or so catch up with friends.
(The smallest but sweetest change I noticed in the transition from online to in-person was that in person, if you’re being critiqued, people can see you actively taking notes and will wait to speak until you’ve caught up with your note taking.)
If not for these three pieces—people, location, and structure—coalescing so naturally, the in-person format might not work for me. But I’m so happy it does. I’ve already had a piece accepted by a great lit magazine that I workshopped through this group, which is extra kudos to my group.
Pros: Discussion will always be more natural in person. In-person workshops allow for free-flowing critique without the weird “should-I-shouldn’t-I speak now” moments that form the foundation of Zoom calls, along with the ability to chat individually with folks during breaks. It’s much easier to build relationships this way, which is vital in trusting and respecting your peers’ feedback.
Cons: You could live far from your workshop location, making regular meetups difficult. Your job or life situation (are you a new parent?) could add stress to showing up consistently. The workshop structure could be too rigid or loose, and with in-person meetings being the biggest investment, if the structure does not work for you, you won’t be as willing to make the effort of participating.
Online Workshops
Synchronous
Online workshops are where I have the most experience. I have participated in two synchronous groups, one for five years, another for about two months. The first workshop I joined in summer 2021, after the group had transitioned wholly online during COVID, and to this day, they still meet online weekly. I owe my initial workshop experience and first publications to this group, but I will say, I found it particularly difficult to connect with people I had never met in person, though later, I would periodically meet these folks in person over the years at random get-togethers. This group met weekly to provide feedback to one to two writers, and this format allowed me to workshop once a month for the entirety of last year—a great practice in accountability. Discussion was entirely open and lasted two to three hours.
The second, shorter-term group met weekly for 90 minutes to critique one writer per time. It was highly structured, down to being timed per each predetermined discussion question. I was in both online groups at the same time, and I found it eye-opening to be in one highly structured group and one with no real framework. Ultimately, the experience guided me toward the in-person group that has enough structure to feel purposeful without overtaking natural conversation. While I made friends in both groups that outlasted my time in the workshops, it was with more effort and intention than with my in-person group.
Pros: You can join from anywhere! Online workshops might work better for busier folks who can’t make in-person meetings, and the nature of gathering on Zoom makes it easier to meet more frequently. Depending on where you live, you might also more easily find an online workshop where members are not constrained to living in the same city.
Cons: Zoom fatigue is real. Some weeks, I did not feel up to the several additional hours of screen time after my 9 to 5. Online also makes it harder to find a conversational groove where people aren’t talking over one another—my own social anxiety often kept me from speaking up until I became more comfortable with the group and its dynamics. This format does not allow for one-on-one or random conversations that you get with in-person gatherings, which are the moments when I cherish with workshop mates.
Asynchronous
In March, I joined an online workshop, a robust community of several hundred global members that functions on weekly prompts and asynchronous participation. In this format, everyone in the group can submit a story each week and expect brief written feedback from several other members. Every month, members are sorted into a new group. The workshop, run by the editors of SmokeLong Quarterly, is solely for writers of flash fiction, which keeps the fast pace format more manageable.
I joined the group on the advice of my lovely friend Marijean who has been part of SmokeLong’s workshop for several years. Already, I’ve written some really beloved pieces that would not have been possible without the aid of the workshop’s thought-provoking prompts and the insights of a diverse set of writers. The energy in this purely online space is amazing, if sometimes overwhelming.
I am quite a slow writer, so the concept of writing a new story each week, even in flash, can be a bit much some months. SmokeLong’s workshop is also fee-based, which keeps members highly engaged, but also makes me feel bad on the weeks when I am not up to the task of writing new work. That said, as a new member, I am trying not to be hard on myself and participating as much as feels natural while also wanting to get my money’s worth. It’s been a great opportunity to connect with writers on a broader scale who focus solely on flash, something I’ve not found in other groups.
Pros: While I mentioned the fast pace of my specific group, the asynchronous format still allows you to participate when and where you can without the pressure of in-person or Zoom gatherings. I imagine this format benefiting busy creatives such as teachers and young parents. Asynchronous may allow for your work to be critiqued more regularly, and you’re bound to receive insightful, thought-out feedback, already written down for you.
Cons: An integral part of my workshop experience is forming relationships with fellow members and learning whose feedback to listen to and when. I have received great feedback in the SmokeLong workshop, but with a format that moves you into a new group each month, I often find myself wishing to stick around with folks longer. (Everyone I’ve come across so far has been lovely.) The main drawback is the absence of face-to-face interaction. If your asynch group isn’t fastidiously managed, the group’s energy could fizzle out quickly depending on the personalities and accountability involved.
All said, the perfect workshop is hard to come by. But when you get close—when you find a group of writers you enjoy and respect who give you actionable feedback and meet at a time and location that fit into your life—well, that feels like pure magic.
If you have workshop experience and would like to share—good, bad, or in-between—I’d love to hear from you.
What I’m Reading
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell
A historical fiction tale following 15-year-old Lucrezia di Cosimo de’ Medici as she gets married in the year 1560 and soon after ends up dead. The cause? “Putrid fever.” O’Farrell explores the idea that Lucrezia was murdered by her husband for failing to produce an heir, which, you know…would not be at all surprising!
This is very well written and relatable even to the non writer that I am!