X Workshop Guidelines

The workshop focuses on generating new work and revising old work. Exercises aim to free energy and ideas, break through barriers and out of familiar patterns, inspire and challenge. Work is read aloud with attention to its possibilities and accomplishments rather than given standard critique.

Nothing is mandatory. You do not have to read if you don't want to. If you are working on a piece of writing, you do not have write in response to the suggestions - unless you feel like it.

We don't critique or correct work that is written in the workshop. It is helpful to tell the writer what you remember and what you like.

Assume all written work is fictional unless the writer volunteers that it is autobiographical. Refer to the "I" in a prose piece as the narrator; in a poem, as the speaker.

If you would like to have your work critiqued bring copies of your manuscript to hand out to workshop members. The following week, we will discuss your work and give you feedback.

Twenty pages of prose or five poems is a recommended amount.

We will not discuss the same person's work two weeks in a row.

When you respond to a manuscript, write it out for the author. Be honest in your praise and critical suggestion.

We will write a letter with our general response to the manuscript and make specific comments. We will also meet with each workshop member individually to discuss the work one time during the 6-week session.

Occasionally, we will also discuss publication possibilities and make suggestions. Those who are not ready to offer work for publication can work on their writing during this time.