How it works

AWA workshops inspire and support you to find your authentic voice and to experiment without fear of criticism or judgment.

The Five Affirmations of AWA Workshops

1. Everyone has a strong, unique voice.
2. Everyone is born with creative genius.
3. Writing as an art form belongs to all people, regardless of economic class or education.
4. Writing as an art form belongs to all people, regardless of economic class or education.
5. The teaching of craft can be done without damage to a writer’s original voice or artistic self-esteem.
6. A writer is someone who writes.

What exactly happens in a Workshop?

Workshops are safe, encouraging, creative places that usually begin with the leader offering a writing prompt – the suggested starting point for a new piece of writing (by hand in a notebook or on your device)

• From Memory or Imagination: A prompt could be a sentence, an object, a photo or even a piece of music. But if the prompt doesn’t speak to you, you can write anything you want.
• Everyone Writes: Groups are usually no larger than a dozen people, writing together in silence for short bursts (15 minutes) or longer.
• Invited but not Mandatory: Everyone is invited to share their just written “first draft” writing. You are free to decline and just listen to other people’s writing.
• Deeply Listen: We share our thoughts by telling each other what we liked, what remained with us and what was strong about each piece of writing. There are no questions, no critiques and no challenges to what you write.