Writing With Hope:
A workshop group that responds to your work with curiosity, attention, and intention
You know your story.
You’ve brushed up on the fundamentals.
You’ve put things down on paper.
And now you want feedback.
Here we are.
Join facilitator Melissa Vincel and a cohort of writers to share your writing each week in pursuit of creating evocative works of memoir.
Your group will follow the time-tested Workshop Guidelines and Storytelling Rights developed by Hope Edelman over her 25+ years as a writing instructor.
SPRING SESSION: FULL!
12 Consecutive Sundays: March 17 - June 2, 2024
Always @ 3 pm PT / 6 pm ET
WWH Dates and Schedule
Writing Meetings (open Zoom room to write together for 60 minutes; sharing for 30 minutes):
March 17, 24, 31
First Round of Workshopping Meetings (4 writers per meeting for 30 minutes each):
April 7, 14, 21
Craft Talks and Exercises (video and exercises from Hope delivered to your inbox):
April 28, May 5, May 12
Second Round of Workshopping Meetings (4 writers each meeting for 30 minutes each):
May 19, 26, June 2
“Melissa couldn’t be a more compassionate and skilled guide. If you are looking for a writing group, and you are dealing with trauma or grief (and who isn’t) check this out. You will find a kind, compassionate witnessing of the process unfolding and deep insight about which doors of our story to open.”
— Katie V., WWH alumnae
We know what sharing stories from real life can feel like.
WHAT MAKES THIS A SAFE GROUP FOR WRITERS?
Any time you share your work there is a new opportunity to see your story differently and to discover — in real time — how it lands with readers.
But there’s also a chance of becoming overwhelmed by feedback that isn’t helpful.
In WWH, YOU ARE ALWAYS CONSIDERED THE EXPERT ON YOUR OWN WORK.
We have guidelines to create a safe and nurturing workshop session dedicated to exploring your piece. Once these boundaries are established, we create space for asking clarifying questions and offering feedback about what’s currently working in the text for readers. We also make room for questions and suggestions for strengthening a text. Feedback stays focused on what’s on the page — not on an author’s life choices.
THIS IS A SAFE SPACE TO RESHAPE AND REWORK YOUR NARRATIVE.
No matter where you are on your writing journey, we’ll meet you there with curiosity, attention, and intention.
YOU’LL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO WRITE…AND TO SHARE.
We have created this workshop based on what past students said is most helpful: meeting to write silently as a group, breakout rooms for sharing, craft talks you can watch (and re-watch) delivered to your inbox from Hope, and workshop sessions for feedback.
TWO WORKSHOP SLOTS DEDICATED TO EACH WRITER.
The accountability to meet each week, to share your words during breakout rooms, and to come prepared with a piece for your specific workshop session will keep you searching for the truth in your story.
But here is what’s also true:
WORKSHOPPING OTHERS HELPS YOU HONE A KEEN EYE AND EAR, WHICH IS A TOOL YOU CAN APPLY TO EDITING YOUR OWN WORK
We love our ALUMNAE WWH-ers and support their continued writing! Click to read their latest publications, many that began in this course!
Linh Preston in The Sun: The American Dream (Nov 2023)
Amanda Kernahan, The Plates (October 26, 2023)
Danielle Martinetti in Medium's Slackjaw: A Wicked Stepmother with Empty Nest Syndrome is Left Wondering, Now What? (May 24, 2023)
Amada Kernahan in Slate: How a Text From the FBI Helped Me Understand My Brother's Mental Illness (April 20, 2023)
Danielle Martinetti in HuffPo: I Went Through Menopause at 44 and I Was Shocked by What It Did to My Body (March 28, 2023)
WHEN DOES WWH BEGIN?
We start on Sunday, 3/17 @ 3 pm PT / 6 pm ET.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
12 Meetings, broken up in to Group Writing Sessions, Workshop Sessions, Craft Talk Videos, and Exercises.
Writing Meetings (open Zoom room, writing and sharing for 90 minutes): March 17, 24, 31 (6 - 7:30 pm ET)
First Round of Workshopping Meetings (4 writers per meeting for 30 minutes each): April 7, 14, 21 (6 - 8 pm ET)
Craft Talks and Exercises (video and exercises from Hope delivered to your inbox): April 28, May 5, May 12 (self-directed)
Second Round of Workshopping Meetings (4 writers each meeting for 30 minutes each): May 19, 26, June 2 (6 - 8 pm ET)
HOW DOES A WORKSHOP SESSION RUN?
We start promptly at 3 pm PT / 6 pm ET with Melissa Vincel for a quick check-in and grounding breaths. After grounding ourselves in the intention of being good readers, a timer is set for 28 minutes per workshop. Four different writers are workshopped each week, reading their pages out loud. If a writer wants to read for 10 minutes, she will receive 18 minutes of feedback, If she chooses to read for 22 minutes, there will be 6 minutes left for feedback. We have 1 - 2 minutes of a break between each slot.
We adhere to workshop guidelines that position each author as the expert of her own work. Every writer is encouraged to let readers know what she is struggling with and how they can best help move the story forward. This may be different from other writing workshops you’ve participated in, where authors are asked to remain silent when their work is discussed. In WWH, we do not believe in silencing writers, but encourage authors to participate in the discussion of their own work.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE IN THE COURSE?
A maximum of 12 spots are available to ensure each person can receive two workshop sessions to share and receive feedback.
WHO IS THE FACILITATOR?
Melissa Vincel will lead this course. Melissa runs her own creative consulting company and has facilitated Writing With Hope twice before. She assists both emerging and established writers with crafting their stories and finding their voice, as well as providing nitty-gritty, behind-the-scenes support for their publishing goals.
HOW DO I CHOOSE MY WORKSHOP SLOTS?
When you register, you’ll receive a link to a scheduling app that allows you to choose two different workshop slots. You may choose two spots. We suggest at least a few weeks between your slots to allow for revising, if you wish, but some writers prefer to choose back-to-back weeks. This is your workshop time, and you know your process best. We just ask that you think about how you work best and choose your slots accordingly.
DO I HAVE TO TRAVEL?
No! You can join our group from anywhere with internet and a computer, phone, or tablet.
We encourage you to find a private space with comfortable seating to participate each week.
You are also encouraged to connect virtually with your fellow writers during the week to continue sharing feedback on the Slack Channel.
WHAT ELSE WILL I NEED?
An open and generous heart, focused attention during workshop sessions, and the willingness to revisit your story over our time together.
PRICE?
The cost for the 12 weeks of Sunday sessions is $575.
