Writing Classes with The Writer’s Workshop

Thank you so much for the wonderful Follow The Story Seattle writing class. In eight weeks you’ve taken my writing skills farther than the four years I spent on my Bachelor’s degree in English.

Prior to taking Nick’s class, I had faced a deluge of rejections—79 alone, just for my book. He had to convince me that the essay I was writing for his class was appropriate for the “Lives” column of the Sunday Magazine section of The New York Times and encouraged me to submit it. “Too Close for Comfort” was accepted the day the editor received it and was published two weeks later. Is there a better endorsement for Nick’s teaching talents? I almost forgot–his obvious joy in craft and wonderful sense of humor.

Just last week I received call from an editor at Tate Publishing who told me that a book I’ve written about caring for my mother has been accepted for publication. What a surprise! One of the reasons I took your online writing class was to gain more skills to complete this book, so my dream has finally come true.

Nick O’Connell, founder of The Writer’s Workshop, helped me with the concept for my book, Colors of the West, published in 2017 by Mountaineers Books. We worked together for six months on one of the chapters. Nick gave me valuable assistance with four drafts, which he read with care, offering detailed suggestions for crafting a lively non-fiction narrative. My book would not have gotten off the ground without his insights and experience!

About six years ago I took your Creative Nonfiction online writing class. I enjoyed it immensely and think I even learned something. Fast forward to October, 2006. The editorial board of the University of South Carolina Press met this afternoon. My proposal for a book called Longitude by Wire: Finding North America was on the agenda. At a little after two this afternoon I received this e-mail from the editor: “Project approved for publication. Congratulations.” Who would ever have thought I would get this far? Just amazing!

I’m a 2007 Writer’s Workshop alum writing to thank you. I no longer live in the Seattle area, but recently received notification that I am a Fellowship Award Recipient to the Professional Wine Writers Symposium at Meadowood Napa Valley in February 2017. Thank you for the direction your workshop provided all those years ago, which guided me to my true North. While not easy, I found the courage to pursue what I love – writing – and in doing so, to find my voice.

Nick, I am so grateful for the opportunity to take your summer nonfiction seminar through The Writer’s Workshop.  It was the summer of 2008, and I was in the midst of making big changes in my professional life.  The writing class proved to be the kick-off to my new path as a food and wine writer on the east coast.  Now as wine columnist and a restaurant reviewer for the Boston Globe, I regularly use the techniques of narrative writing to bring readers into the action of a story and to create engaging scenes out of everyday moments.  Thank you for fostering a supportive learning environment in your writing classes that played a key role in my development as a professional writer.

Nick’s great sense of humor, his keen eye for clean, compelling prose, and his years of practical writing experience make learning productive and entertaining. Nick successfully guided me through my first job as a newspaper reporter and has provided advice and mentoring since. He’s a great teacher for the beginning writer and a superb coach for the experienced professional.