Upcoming & Past Classes
Writing Gym, One Month
Thursdays 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm ET
Writing Gym is a monthly, virtual writing class that meets once a week. In each session, we focus on a brief excerpt from a novel or memoir, followed by a targeted writing prompt, a free-write, and a mini-workshop. We believe writing is a muscle and the more you exercise it, the better.
A note on enrollment: Writing Gym starts on the first Thursday of each month. Sign up until noon EST the day before (first Wednesday) to attend. If you sign up after that, you are registering for next month’s Writing Gym.
Writing Gym, Three Months
Thursdays 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm ET
Writing Gym is a monthly, virtual writing class that meets once a week. In each session, we focus on a brief excerpt from a novel or memoir, followed by a targeted writing prompt, a free-write, and a mini-workshop. We believe writing is a muscle and the more you exercise it, the better.
A note on enrollment: Writing Gym starts on the first Thursday of each month. Sign up until noon EST the day before (first Wednesday) to attend. If you sign up after that, you are registering for next month’s Writing Gym.
Scene Study: Scene & Sequel
Runs October 9th - 30th
What makes a propulsive, engaging scene? Why do some succeed and others fizzle out? What are the guts of a gripping scene? In this virtual four-week class you will learn how to ground your narrative, create vibrant, dynamic characters, write tension-filled dialogue, and establish what your narrator wants.
Free Class with Emily and Katie
This hour-long online writing class will give you a taste of what Writing Gym is like by mimicking the class format and introducing you to Emily and Katie live! Once you sign up, you’ll receive a Zoom link in your inbox.
Note: To register, you’ll be prompted to enter billing address info at checkout. Don’t worry, you won’t have to provide any payment information! The class is absolutely free!
Free Class with Emily and Katie
This hour-long online writing class will give you a taste of what Writing Gym is like by mimicking the class format and introducing you to Emily and Katie live! Once you sign up, you’ll receive a Zoom link in your inbox.
Note: To register, you’ll be prompted to enter billing address info at checkout. Don’t worry, you won’t have to provide any payment information! The class is absolutely free!
Scene Study: Scene + Sequel
Runs May 1 - May 22 on Wednesdays from 6:30 - 8:30 pm ET.
What is the core of conflict? What, exactly, makes a scene propulsive and suspenseful? Why is this scene different from all other scenes?
In this virtual four-week class, you will learn how to structure your scenes around two essential patterns (Dwight Swain’s Scene & Sequel) that help eliminate sag.
Happily Ever Crafter with Julia Whelen
Love is in the air! Romance novels have entered the mainstream and those illustrated covers seem to be everywhere, from Target to TikTok, Bookstagram to airport Hudson News racks. But what is the key to writing a storyline as sizzling as its love scenes? Story surgeon/book coach Emily Stone and award-winning, best-selling romcom author and audiobook narrator, Julia Whelan, will equip you with the tools you need to build a house of love readers want to live in.
This two-hour class will cover the meet-cute, Scene & Sequel, the midpoint, and the third act breakup. Whether you've already got a polished draft or merely an idea for a meet-cute that you just can’t quit, if your story’s got a central couple and an HEA, you need to know these essential plot points.
We welcome writers of commercial, upmarket, or big-R Romance (and will discuss the difference!) at all levels of proficiency.
In the span of two hours you will get…
Four virtual mini-lectures (2 taught by Emily, 2 by Julia) on key story beats and components, followed by targeted writing prompts and Q&A
Link to recorded lecture, if you can't watch live
Syllabus with writing prompts and suggested reading list
[Returning Soon] Writing Gym, Option B
Note: We’ve paused our evening sessions for now but hope to bring them back soon. If you’d like to hear when we start evening Writing Gym again, click “View Event,” and sign up for our waitlist. - Emily & Katie
Thursdays 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm ET
Writing Gym is a monthly, virtual writing class that meets once a week. In each session, we focus on a brief excerpt from a novel or memoir, followed by a targeted writing prompt, a free-write, and a mini-workshop. We believe writing is a muscle and the more you exercise it, the better.
A note on enrollment: Writing Gym starts on the first Thursday of each month. Sign up until noon EST the day before (first Wednesday) to attend. If you sign up after that, you are registering for next month’s Writing Gym.