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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

The essay I wrote with your help is in this week’s issue of Newsweek. It is quite exciting – thanks for your help and encouragement in your online writing class. There is very little change from the original, so we must have done good!

John Hare whose personal essay “Tough Enough to Give up Snuff” appeared in Newsweek. He lives in Yuba City, California.

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.

Nick is one of the most approachable and helpful writing teachers I’ve ever met. He’s not just a good teacher, but a veteran writer himself, who knows all of the ins and outs of the business. I’d recommend his Seattle writing classes not only to the beginner, but also to established writers who are looking to improve and broaden their skill set.

Cory Graff whose book Strike and Return: American Airpower and the Fight for Iwo Jima was published by Specialty Press.

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.

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.

I really appreciate all of your great feedback in the online writing class, particularly the fact that you went through my writing very carefully. Although I learned a lot in the Writers Digest Fiction course it was mostly through my efforts – instructor feedback was usually limited to two or three sentences of general comments that were not particularly helpful.  I will stick with you, Jessica Murphy and Scott Driscoll in the future.

Bob Sproule is a freelance writer from Klamath Falls, Oregon.

I can’t thank you enough for all that I learned from you about crafting a narrative, scene, and character portraits in your Seattle writing classes. Also, your tips for using strong verbs, rich descriptors, and setting up the framework for the book have proven invaluable. I could never have completed the book without the tools and skills you helped me acquire.

Angela Day is the author of Red Light to Starboard: Recalling the Exxon Valdez Disaster

I have taken Professor O’Connell’s Creative Nonfiction online travel writing class via email from France. The study of writing techniques, related readings and feedback from the assignments is very effective. In fact, I have already been hired to write articles regularly for The Riviera Times!

Mary C. Mascarella is a freelance writer based in Nice, France.

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.