Plot Your Writing Journey with The Writing Institute

"If I was going to try my hand at this writing gig, I needed to learn from the best. Ergo, I looked up Sarah Lawrence College, found an adult education class that was reasonably priced, and signed on the dotted line. Just so you know, I was a dreadful student in school, plagued with dyslexia during that golden time when the word hadn’t been invented yet, so learning was a colossal drag. [At The Writing Institute], for the first time in my life, I actually enjoyed going to school. Sarah Lawrence, bless its higher-education heart, was a life-changing experience, and I am externally grateful."

“Working with [instructors] in the writing workshops changed the way I think. They were always brilliant, good natured, and delightful to work with. Their positive approach to novel writing gave me the courage to find my voice. I will always be grateful.”

"At The Writing Institute, my instructors encouraged me to experiment with forms I would not have tried, and helped me collect a group of poems to form my first chapbook."

“On a whim, I took a writing course... within minutes, I knew I had found something I needed to go forth. Suddenly, my stored experiences and hidden feelings had new meaning, and possibility, which was life-changing.”

"Writing by its very nature is solitary, but every writer reaches a point when it becomes critically important to share one’s work. [The Writing Institute] gave me exactly the structure, close reading, and support I needed to see my book through to completion."

“I owe a great deal of my growth and development as a poet to my amazing teachers [at the Writing Institute].”

“My instructors at the Writing Institute gave me the discipline, deadlines, and feedback I craved, and their thoughtful prompts and required free writes became actual scenes in my book.”

"I retired from many years of teaching high school English and thought, 'what next?' An ad in the New Yorker introduced me to the Writing Institute. I had to overcome a little hesitation, as a senior citizen, at the prospect of sharing my work with strangers, some of them many years my junior. But I took a chance, and found that the classes were safe, respectful places, where creativity could flourish. I was encouraged and nurtured. What a luxury, to become a learner again under the guidance of wonderful teachers and with the support of a terrific writing community. The launching of Ms. Murphy's Makeover at Sarah Lawrence was a highlight of my life. I encourage anyone who enjoys writing to join others who love to write at the Writing Institute."

"My new novel The Penalty for Holding—about a gay, biracial quarterback's search for identity in the NFL—was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award, and, I must say, I don't think this would've happened without The Writing Institute. It was there that I first pitched the idea and learned how to refine my pitch, which ultimately led to a contract with Less Than Three Press. The Writing Institute has also been invaluable in the pitching and development of the novel I'm working on now. It has my deepest appreciation."

"Without the Art of Memoir class, fathermothergod would still be on the back burner. The Writing Institute provided the structure, the caring and insightful talent of a remarkable teacher and fellow writers, and a safe setting to probe difficult questions and find the right words."

“I got serious about writing when I started at the Writing Institute in 2004. The instruction and example inspired and stimulated me.”

“I will always be grateful for all I gained as a Writing Institute student. The workshops provided essential input that helped me turn my story from a rough draft into an agent-ready manuscript.”

"I could not have written my novel without the guidance and support of my teacher and classmates at The Writing Institute."

"I have been working with Writing Institute instructors for more than five years. Their guidance, support, and constructive criticism have been instrumental in my success at selling five novels, and I am forever grateful to them for helping me fulfill the dream of a lifetime!"

"I had the passion and commitment to write, but needed to build a foundation of knowledge, skills, and confidence to take off and move from dreaming to creation. Discovering The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence catapulted me into becoming the writer I wanted to be. Thank you so much to the wonderful staff that makes The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence possible.”

“[My Writing Institute instructors] lit a fire under me to produce work, move my story forward, complete my first draft… All in an encouraging, inspiring environment with other wonderful writers.”

"I came to the Novel Writing class at The Writing Institute with a lumpy first draft of a novel. The writing techniques and feedback that I got from my teachers and classmates turned it into a significantly less lumpy, published novel.”

“I came to The Writing Institute in search of a writing community while improving my craft. My debut novel Worth the Weight was born at The Writing Institute and workshopped extensively in the Novel Workshop followed by the Advanced Novel Workshop…Not only did I improve my writing enough to get it to the professional level, I became part of a tight-knit community that has supported me every step of the way.”

“I always tell my friends that The Writing Institute changed my life. Before I moved to New York, I worked for many years as a journalist in Brazil, writing nonfiction in my native Portuguese, and dreaming of becoming a fiction writer. Who could imagine that my first novel would be published in English?

In the fall of 2010, I decided to click the register button and join a Novel Writing Class at The Writing Institute. I had a story in my head and many insecurities about writing in my second language. I found support, mentors, and true friends. I understood that my accent and my style should work on my side. Seven years later I published my novel, Days of Bossa Nova.

What I've learned at The Writing Institute is much more than techniques. I became part of a community of writers, I learned how to search for publication—dealing with the inevitable rejections—and how to discipline myself to keep writing.”

“After years of informally writing essays and journaling, I decided to venture into a formal writing course at Sarah Lawrence. "Get Over Yourself," a memoir writing course given by Sarah Saffian, gave me the basic tools, skills, and motivation to launch me to the next steps. I am so proud to be a published author. Thank you to my two "Sarah's."”

"Participating in memoir writing classes at The Writing Institute played a significant role in helping me germinate the idea for my book, Rescuing Julia Twice, and it gave me a forum to keep on track and stay motivated."

“The Writing Institute enriched my life… My time here has been fantastic. My time here has given me the courage to continue to write my books.”