Workshop Tips

The purpose of a workshop is to give a writer valuable feedback.

A workshop is most valuable when:

--The author is interested in getting feedback
--The participants are willing to be honest about the writer's work
--The author brings questions and concerns to the group about the work
--The participants try to help the author strengthen his/her work by suggesting craft elements: plot, character, pov, setting, alternate beginnings/endings, techniques of fiction, etc.


How to Conduct a Workshop in the 21st Century:

1. Choose a submitted text from "shortcut to Craddock" Craft of Writing, workshop folder to read and view.
2. After reading the story, the workshop members should note specific words or phrases or lines, characters, scenes, dialogue, etc. that he/she liked. Jot down what this was (underline or bold in the text, for example). Remember to let the writer know you liked these scenes, characters, plot elements, lines, etc.
3. If you have a question or are confused by what you read, italicize or bold this section so that you can let the writer know you had a question. (I didn't understand..., for example)
4. If you have a comment about the story (this reminds me of..., for example) you can write this on the forum (see below).
5. Consider the basic questions and techniques of fiction. (plot, character, POV, setting, theme, mood, voice, poetry, imagery, dialogue, characterization, conflict, suspense, etc.) Give the writer a WRITTEN critique of their story based on these questions. Write your comments on the forum.
6. When finished reading, post comments on the forum. Sign your name so you get credit. Try to answer the writer's specific questions. Writers should help this along by asking questions that they want to know about their stories. For example: Did you understand the point of my story? Are the characters clear and well defined or developed? Does the setting of my story distract you as a reader? Etc.
7. After commenting on the forum, if there is more work in your group's folder, please continue this process.
8. If you have finished your workshop, it is time for you to write. Work on your own stories. Keep writing. When you are ready to share, put your work in the shared file, craft of writing - workshop folder.
9. Repeat as often as possible.

You will get credit for each forum post you make and for each story you post.