The Art of Storytelling on the Page and on the Stage

A Transformative 6-Month Writing Journey with Nina Wise
Thursdays 10:00am–11:30am Pacific Time, on Zoom
September 2025 – Febuary 2026

Our lives are full of stories, some from long ago and some from the very recent past. And our stories long to be told, to emerge from where they lie hidden in our hearts and enter a shared space.

The craft of writing—meaning the tools and guidelines that are employed to write well—provides a methodology to focus on and improve our work. And as our work improves, we gain deeper insights into our own hearts and minds and the world at large. In this way, the art of storytelling is a spiritual practice.

Whether you're a seasoned writer or just beginning to explore your literary talents, the unique approach of this workshop will inspire and guide you in your process.

WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE

Personalized Guidance: Nina will  provide personalized feedback and mentorship tailored to your writing goals.

Elements of the Craft: We will explore the basic elements of storytelling: how to develop characters, move through time, structure a narrative arc, deepen into a scene, find the heart of your story, write dialog, enliven setting, and more.

Creative Exercises and Prompts: Carefully curated exercises and prompts are designed to ignite your imagination and help you break through creative blocks and insecurities.

Community and Collaboration: The workshop is a place to engage with a supportive community of fellow writers, sharing insights and fostering connections that extend beyond the weekly meetings.

WEELY MEETINGS

Nina will lead one 90 minute session per week for 6 months, 20 sessions in total. Each session will include:

  • A teaching about a particular element of craft

  • A guided writing practice

  • Sharing your work in breakout rooms

  • Q&A

The craft element taught each week will build on the ones from the weeks before. One session per month, in lieu of breakout groups that week, Nina will work with 3- participants and give feedback so that everyone can benefit from the feedback. Most often, the issues we encounter in our writing are commonly shared. Each participant will have the opportunity to work with Nina in a live session.

Note: Due to Nina’s somewhat unpredictable schedule, she may need to reschedule a few of the live meetings.

CLASS DATES

September 11, 18, 25
October 9, 16, 23, 30
November 6, 13
December 4, 11, 18
January 8, 15, 22, 29
February 5, 12, 19, 26

RECORDINGS

Each session will be recorded so that if you miss a live class you can receive the teaching at a time that is convenient for you. The entire series of recordings will be available online until 4 weeks after the final session.

CLASS SIZE

The workshop will be limited to 14 participants.

COHORT GROUPS

During the week, you will meet with your cohort group (of 3–4 participants) for an hour and practice what we did in the previous session: you will write and then read aloud to one another. The continuity of meeting with your cohorts on a regular basis can create bonding and trust and allow you to go deeper into your practice. Participation in a cohort is not required but highly recommended.

PRIVATE SESSIONS

During the 6 months, you will have (2) 1-hour private sessions with Nina. Together you will review a piece of your writing (limited to 3000 words) and she will give feedback and supportive critique to enable you to further hone your craft and develop the piece you have submitted.

MATERIALS PROVIDED

  • Written material about the topic we focus on each week

  • A reading list of suggested novels, memoirs and craft books on writing

  • Excerpts from novels, essays, short stories, memoirs that elucidate particular elements of craft

CLASS FEE

$2350

Can be payable in 2 installments:
$1,200 upon acceptance into the program
$1,150 due December 1, 2025

DEADLINES

1st submission due December 1, 2025
2nd submission due February 1, 2026

APPLICATION

$35 application fee. Applications due August 1, 2025
You will be notified of your acceptance by August 15, at which time the first payment is due.

To apply, please email the following to Nina:

  • 1–2 page writing sample  (double spaced, 12 point font or more, Times New Roman)

  • A paragraph about why you are interested in this workshop and what you hope to experience and gain

And pay the application fee using the link below.

REGISTRATION

If you have received notification of acceptance, please purchase to register.

About Nina

Nina Wise is an award-winning writer, theater artist and dharma teacher. Her book, A Big New Free Happy Unusual Life: Self-Expression and Spiritual Practice for Those Who Have Time for Neither was published by Broadway Books/Random House and translated into German and Portuguese. Her stories and essays have been featured in numerous journals including The Sun, Yoga Journal, Tricycle, Shambhala Sun, and collected in anthologies. She has been awarded multiple fellowships and awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, California Arts Council, Marin Arts Council, Theater Bay Area, Society for Experiments in Contemporary Art to name just a few. More here.

Refund Policy

We understand the unexpected can arise. And we want to do our best to support your utmost well being however, because we are limiting the number of participants in this workshop, we will not be able to offer refunds. In case of severe illness that prohibits you from completing the workshop, we will discuss on an individual basis applying a pro-rated amount of your fee to a future workshop.