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Writing Classes with The Writer’s Workshop

Seattle writing classes discuss best story openings.

Narrative Writing Classes

Have a compelling story? Want to learn the craft of narrative writing? Dr. Nick O’Connell teaches time-honored principles with a relaxed style in a sequence of four enjoyable Seattle writing courses, from nut graph to structure, from lead to climax.

Preview our Narrative Writing Classes

Travel writing classes in Provence.

Travel Writing in Europe

This course uses all of an author’s skills—ranging from dramatic scenes, character sketches, concrete detail, point of view, and scene by scene construction—to compose compelling, engaging travel narratives.

Preview our Travel Writing Classes

Online travel writing classes are ideal for the fast-paced contemporary world.

Online Writing Classes

Have you always wanted to write but needing a refresher course on the nuts and bolts of creative writing? Would you like to extend and enhance your writing techniques? If so, these online writing classes will help you communicate clearly and effectively in email, reports, letters, essays as wells as learning the art and craft of fiction and nonfiction narrative.

Preview our Online Writing Classes

Reviews from Past Students

Do you have a compelling story? Want to learn the craft of narrative writing? Dr. Nick O’Connell teaches time-honored principles with a relaxed style in four enjoyable Seattle writing classes. From nut graph to structure, from lead to climax, Nick has transformed my writing career from scientific researcher to riveting narrative non-fiction author.

Dr. David G. Embrey is a freelance writer from Puyallup, Washington.

The online travel writing class was my first experience with a course geared specifically towards writing, and Nick gave me a great experience to set me on my way in pursuing a career in writing. All of the basics of the writing and editing process are covered expertly and the focus on strategies for marketing the finished product was a huge help. I fully recommend this course if you’re looking into an online class!

A.J. Rodriguez writes from Seattle, Washington.

Thanks to what I learned from you and Scott Driscoll, I was lucky enough to become an intern at Seattle Magazine, then a freelance writer, and now I’m the Research Editor for Seattle Magazine, Seattle Business Monthly, and Northwest Home & Garden. I really appreciated your feedback and suggestions. This is a long overdue thank you.

Sheila Mickool is the Research Editor for Tiger Oak Publications.

I took your non-fiction Seattle writing class in the winter of ’95/’96. You must have done a good job because of the 11 folks in the class, six of us have published books. The University of Oklahoma Press published my manuscript in 2005: A Room for the Summer; Adventure, Misadventure and Seduction in the Mines of the Coeur d’Alenes. The class had a great effect and I read and re-read my notes continually as I proceeded through my book.

Fritz Wolff is a writer from Olympia, Washington.

Sometimes the most influential people have no idea of the impact they have on others. I just wanted you to know what a tremendous difference you have made to my writing life and to share the great news that an essay of mine will be published in a Seal Press anthology, Ask Me About My Divorce: Women Open Up About Moving On, that is scheduled for release in May 2009. Your kindness, your style, your generous sharing of your craft, your respect for everyone… it all had a deep impact on me and gave me the courage to write from my heart.

Susan Carol Stein is a freelance writer from Seattle.

This is just to let you know that I have been published in Northwest Lawyer magazine!  I was inspired to publish by the class. I would not have thought to submit an article without your encouragement. I have more confidence now, thanks to your classes.

Ellen Barton writes from Seattle.

Before taking Nick O’Connell’s Creative Nonfiction Seattle writing class, I sent stories off to editors with a sinking feeling in my stomach. I was nervous that I would be found out. The truth was I was winging it. I didn’t know how to write a nut graph or a compelling lead. From scenic leads to nut graphs and character development, I learned techniques that made my stories stand out. That’s how I landed my job as Associate Editor at San Francisco Downtown Magazine, only six months after taking Nick’s course. I was up against Brown and Oxford graduates–one of whom was on staff at Time Out magazine–but I was offered the job because my stories had strong themes, clear structures and, most importantly, kept the reader reading. Nick’s course gave me the confidence and, most importantly, the techniques I needed to bring my stories to life.

Vanessa Sharp is Associate Editor of San Francisco Downtown Magazine.

It was 20 years ago you urged me to submit a story I’d written in your Seattle writing class to the Seattle Weekly. They published it in February 1993. Best money I ever made. I’ve been a journalist/ reporter ever since then all over the country, including the Hartford Courant. Thank you.

Janice Posada is a writer for the Hartford Courant.

Read more reviews

The Storms of Denali: Book Trailer with Nicholas O’Connell

Email or Call Today: (206) 284-7121

Have you always wanted to write but haven’t known where to start?

Have you written in the past but need a refresher? Are you an experienced author who wants to perfect and extend your technique?

We offer a wide variety of writing classes, including Seattle writing classes, travel writing classes and online writing classes to meet the needs of a wide range of writers. All of our instructors have extensive teaching and professional writing experience, allowing them to guide you through the sometimes bewildering world of newspaper, magazine and book publication. We provide expert, constructive criticism to help you master the art and craft of writing.

Find the writing class that’s perfect for you >

Meet your writing instructor Nicholas O’Connell

Hello & welcome!

Learn the secrets of narrative writing in my writing classes and:

I look forward to working with you!

Yours,

Nicholas O’Connell, M.F.A., Ph.D.
Send me an email
(206) 284-7121

Nicholas O'Connell, founder of The Writer's Workshop.

Writing classes help writers tell compelling stories.

Reach a wide audience and satisfy some of your deepest yearnings for pattern, mystery, and coherence in your life.

Narrative writing allows for great scope and ambition, but it requires commitment to the habit of art to succeed. Our writing classes will help you develop your own habit of art, mastering the art and craft of narrative writing essential to creating fiction and nonfiction stories.

We teach Seattle writing classestravel writing classes and a wide range of online writing classes.

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