Writer's Quote of the Day
"If you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write."
~Stephen King
Phoenix Writers Network
Writing Classes
Winter/Spring 2023
Steps to register for class:
1. Email me at susan@susanpohlman.com to sign up.
2. Submit payment in full. Venmo (Susan Pohlman - 3), Zelle (susan@susanpohlman.com), Personal Check
3. Classes will be held via Zoom.
Crafting the Personal Essay
Six Classes: 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (PST)
via ZOOM
$325.00
Human beings are natural storytellers, but how do we take experiences from our own lives and turn them into personal essays that sell? This class will explore the common approaches to crafting essays. With weekly lectures and examples, recommended readings, and suggested creative exercises you will learn how to take the stuff of your own life and transform it into prose that elevates the personal to the universal.
This class is open to writers of all levels of experience.
The cost of the class includes the critique of one personal essay of 1000 words or less.
Week One: The Narrative Essay
Week Two: The Braided Essay
Week Three: The Flash Essay
Week Four: The Segmented Essay
Week Five: The Hermit Crab Essay
Week Six: Sharing Work (If you choose to!)
(Class size minimum = 10 / max = 15 to ensure personal attention!)
Fiction Workshop
Five Thursdays
Dates TBD
4:30 - 6:00 (PST)
via ZOOM
$325.00
Are you looking to try creative writing or itching to deepen your understanding of craft? This is a great class for the serious beginner or intermediate writer. Each week we will look at these genres and the literary elements that will bring your story to life on the page. With weekly lectures, writing exercises, and recommended reading, you will attain a basic understanding of craft that will equip you for future writing endeavors.
(Note- This class is also helpful for those writing memoir. Both fiction and memoir use the same literary elements to bring the story to life. If you are a memoirist, please consider joining us!)
Week one: General Introduction and Voice
Week two: Character
Week three: Setting
Week four: Dialogue
Week five: Description and Imagery
Private Coaching and Editing
I am happy to work with you in a private coaching environment. Please contact me for details!
susan@susanpohlman.com
Testimonials for Susan:
"Susan's classes taught me to identify and analyze story elements and scenes. I now understand how to write an effective scene and how to improve the scenes I've previously written. I am in control of my storytelling in a new and wonderful way and have the tools and confidence to write the next draft of my novel." ~Windy Lynn Harris
Susan Pohlman's classes have advanced my writing skills (and understanding of the writing marketplace) significantly. The combination of her assigned readings, in-class presentations and meaningful class discussions provides a solid learning program. Susan herself is warm, approachable and clearly invested in her students. If you want to graduate from "Writing for Dummies" workshops to learning the craft of expressing your ideas and experiences, then there is no better teacher. ~Leslie F.
"It's been delightful taking your class these past several weeks! I have learned so much about various aspects of writing, especially dialogue, characterization, and overall technique, and how to clean up and tighten up my writing, just to mention a few things. Your knowledge and wisdom are priceless. I appreciate how you are able to take a group of strangers, with a myriad of writing backgrounds, ranging from little to no experience, to seasoned writers, and create an environment that is inviting and non-threatening. I know you made it very easy for me to let my guard down from the very beginning."
~Frank L.
I appreciated the opportunity to study several different forms of personal essays and to hone in on craft. The class discussions and feedback on my own writing gave me a clear path to tighter, more evocative writing. I am looking forward to using your feedback to revise my essay, and also to applying it to other projects. Your comments about interweaving material and drawing the reader in immediately by touching on the universal as well as personal is something that I know will help my novel revision project as well. ~Dawn T.
"This was my first writing class. As a novice, I was concerned about others in the class being more knowledgeable and I might feel out of place. Those concerns quickly disappeared as I felt embraced by the warmth of Susan's smile and the camaraderie she created. Her teaching style is just as warm. She has the ability to deliver a large amount of information in a clear, concise and fun way. The exercises dump you into the deep end of the pool without fear of drowning and you soon realize you are not just swimming but making progress. Give yourself a gift and take this class. I am so glad I did."
~Barbara Desman
"I learned so much from this class. There were so many concepts that I was struggling with in my memoir and this class not only made sense of them, but made them seem so simple. I’m so glad I took this class, it gave me so much confidence to move forward with my book." ~Julia Halls
"I really feel like this is the hardest course I’ve ever taken in writing, you have very high standards and that is exactly what I need as a novice. I look forward to sending you my second draft with all the recommendations from you and the class."
~Becky S.
“Susan masterfully presents writing technique. I loved her class.” ~Meg Smeck
"I loved taking Susan's class -- it's great for all types of writers, whether you're starting out or you just need to refresh your writing soul! It was wonderful to meet like-minded writing women and to feel the energy of people who love to share their stories. I wish she held this class weekly because I would definitely be there all the time -- Thank you for re-energizing me Susan, I got my writing mojo back!" ~Stephanie Elliot
"Susan Pohlman's "Scene Study Class" was informative and instructional. She walked the class through the elements of scene writing as she exposed us to excellent pieces of short story fiction. Her teaching style is direct and positive. I look forward to taking many more classes with her." ~Marie Derminio
“Susan teaches with passion and humor. Great for writers at any level.” ~Mary McDermott Slawsby
“For anyone interested in opening the door to that writer that lives in us all, I highly recommend Susan Pohlman's writing classes. The weekly topics and organizational breakdown of memoir writing techniques, from getting started to getting published, were easy to understand. Sue's encouraging words and positive outlook on life motivated everyone in the class.” ~Pricilla Bertling
"As a person who has worked in the administration of training for over 20 years, I want to say that Susan is a great trainer. She knows her audience, has great pacing, effective balance of formal to informal with ease, respectful and delightfully human. Susan is very relatable and authentic as well as knowledgeable." ~ Mary O., IL
"Susan has a way of blending inspiration and spirituality with the technical aspects of writing to help evoke the emotion our readers crave. The curriculum and coaching has pushed me to take honing my craft much more seriously." Suzy D., NJ
"Susan presents both craft knowledge and creative skills training in her curriculum. I left understanding my own voice and appreciating the work of others." WH., AZ
"Susan is a wealth of information and really cares about her students." Julie O., IA
Susan Pohlman's classes have advanced my writing skills (and understanding of the writing marketplace) significantly. The combination of her assigned readings, in-class presentations and meaningful class discussions provides a solid learning program.
Susan herself is warm, approachable and clearly invested in her students/
If you want to graduate from "Writing for Dummies" workshops to learning the craft of expressing your ideas and experiences, then there is no better teacher.
