The Path of Story

A 4-month writing workshop with Nina Wise
Tuesdays 4:30–6:00pm PT
March–June 2023
on Zoom

Join a small group of dedicated writers and under the guidance of Nina Wise, hone your craft, learn new skills, and uncover the stories that want to be told. Over the course of the months, you will find your unique voice and gain trust in your own artistry.

Writing is a way to come to know ourselves and each other. By meeting regularly with a trusted group of dedicated writers, and offering one another support in the process, our own work can become more vulnerable and truthful.

The format will include 15 weekly sessions guided by Nina, regular meetings with a cohort group, and one private one-hour session with Nina.

You are welcome to develop a single manuscript over the course of the workshop or write afresh each week as a way to gain insight into your daily life. Submission of 2,500 words due April 30th.

WEEKLY MEETINGS

You will meet with Nina for one 90-minute session/week for 4 months, 15 sessions in total. Each session will include:

• A teaching about a particular element of craft

• A guided writing practice

• Reading your work aloud in breakout rooms

• Q&A

The craft element taught each week will build on the one from the week(s) before.

During one session per month, in lieu of breakout groups, Nina will work with 2 participants so that everyone can benefit from the feedback she offers. Most often, the weaknesses 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 have to reschedule a few of the live meetings.

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 our 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.

PRIVATE SESSIONS

During the 4 months, you will be invited to submit one written piece of up to 2500 words for Nina’s review. She will read the piece, provide written notes, and you will meet for her privately for one hour per submission to discuss your work. Nina’s feedback is always supportive and designed to enable you to further hone your craft as a writer and develop the pieces you have submitted.

Additional private sessions will be offered at a reduced rate for all students enrolled in the 4-month workshop.

MATERIALS PROVIDED

During the course you will receive

• 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

APPLICATION

$25 application fee. Applications due February 7th, 2023
You will be notified of your acceptance by February 20, 2023 at which time the first payment is due.

To apply, please

• Email Nina — include a paragraph about why you are interested in this workshop and what you hope to experience and gain, your writing experience (if any).

• Attach a 1–2 page writing sample.

• Pay the $25 application fee (below).

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.