Writing instructors David Grae and Jeff Fligelman founded Gotham Writers’ Workshop in 1993 when they rented classroom space from a local church. Beginning in 2004, they further expanded into publishing books called Writing Movies and Writing Fiction, where each chapter covers a different aspect of the writing process and is written by a different Gotham instructor. The main belief at Gotham is that everyone has a story to tell, and anyone can be taught to write. Gotham classes are structured through a combination of lectures, writing exercises, and workshopping sessions. These variations ensure the writing process doesn’t become stale and also help aspiring writers get used to meeting regular deadlines.
Writers of all types are sure to find a course at Gotham that meets their needs. The school offers workshops on writing for film (including some courses that specifically target writing dialogue), fiction writing, memoir writing, and writing for children’s books. There is also a Teen Creative Writing Workshop, which is designed for students ages 13-17 and takes six weeks to complete. In this class, participants will work on helping young writers hone their techniques and gain comfort in sharing their work with others. This course is also an excellent addition to any resume or college application.
Many courses at Gotham are self-paced, meaning students can review the material and complete their writing exercises at a time that is convenient for them. For example, the self-paced Memoir Writing program contains nearly 48 hours of instruction that students can view as often as they wish. This program discusses how to make anyone’s life interesting for others to read and also covers tips on marketing your finished book.
Courses at Gotham Writers’ Workshop are highly recommended by previous students. One aspect of the teaching style that students particularly appreciate is the regular opportunities to critique each other’s work and receive valuable feedback from peers. These critiquing exercises happen regularly, allowing students to get comfortable having their work evaluated by others. The Gotham instructors are often described as being attentive and thoughtful, eagerly taking time to provide support to their students and answering all questions as precisely as possible.
Recommended: Best writing classes in NYC
Recommended: Best classes in NYC
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