Write with me this summer

Photo by Max Saeling on Unsplash

Dear friends,

I like to use this space to share quiet stories from my life—not because my life is all that interesting but because I believe in the power of sharing perspectives through storytelling. Everything you and I write is part of a larger conversation with ourselves and the world. We need each other’s words.

This week I’m shifting it up a bit to share about some upcoming opportunities to write with me.

1. On May 4 (Monday!) you can join me virtually at 27 Powers for a two-hour workshop entitled “Rediscovering Your Story.” We’ll do some writing activities and work in break-out groups and hopefully walk away feeling inspired by the reminder of just how much we actually have to write about.

   

   Sometimes we know ourselves too well. We become so familiar with our lives that our stories of them feel stale and ordinary; we take for granted the memorable things we have seen and done; we forget that to a reader who doesn’t know us we have lived fascinating lives worthy of examination.

   This class with essayist, Steve Edwards, is about rediscovering – and reimagining – the stories we have to tell. Through a series of writing prompts designed to stoke our memories and remind us of who we are, we’ll tap back into the basics of storytelling while also getting reacquainted with why telling our particular stories matter.

2. In June, I’ll be leading an online class with Larksong Writers Place called “Getting Real: Taking Your Writing to the Next Level.” We’ll meet virtually on three Saturdays for a two-hour session of writing, sharing, and camaraderie, with the ultimate goal of discovering what we need to do (both practically and in terms of how we’re thinking about our practice) to do our best work. This is an intimate course, capped at 12. Sign up is currently ongoing.

3. Lastly, I have a few spots open this summer for one-on-one developmental editorial/coaching work. My rate is $75/hr, which translates to roughly 4-6 double-spaced pages. If you feel like you could use some support on short stories or essays, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I occasionally take on longer, book-length projects when it’s a good match.

If you’ve made it this far—thanks so much for reading! It’s true that I do these teaching and editing gigs to help make ends meet. The larger truth, however, is that working with writers fills me up. I remember how desperately I needed support as a young writer, and how grateful I felt whenever I was lucky enough to get it. I also know that every writer, no matter the level—myself included!—benefits from having someone to talk to about their work. That I get to do this humbles me and thrills me. It’s my way of repaying the teachers who saved me.

So I hope to see you somewhere down the line this summer! Don't be shy. Reach out, sign up, send me a note. Until then, keep after it. The world needs your stories—and the world needs the version of you your stories set free.

Happy writing!

—Steve