Welcome into Flight School:
There's a moment in every writer's journey when the fantasy of being an author collides with the reality of becoming one. It's like stepping into a cathedral of creativity where the stained glass windows are made of your own vulnerabilities, each pane illuminating a different shade of your creative truth.
The Evolution of Artistic Growth
The path from aspiring writer to published author isn't a sprint—it's a carefully orchestrated marathon. As Ernest Hemingway once noted, "The first draft of anything is garbage." But what happens after that first draft is where the real transformation begins.
Our writer's journey begins in Flight School, where raw talent meets structured guidance. This foundation leads to the Blackbird Studio, where writers undertake two pivotal programs: Bones of Storytelling and Scene and Exposition. These aren't just courses; they're initiations into the sacred art of storytelling.
The Workshop Experience: Where Vulnerability Meets Growth
"Writing is a solitary act, but becoming a writer is a communal journey."
- Annie Dillard
In our curated workshops, twelve writers gather in a creative crucible that spans 15 to 30 weeks. Every three weeks, they present up to 1,500 words of their work—raw, honest, vulnerable work—to be examined under the careful eye of experienced mentors and peers.
The feedback process? It's not for the faint of heart. Picture yourself as a writer standing nose-to-bark in your forest of words. The workshop is the hand that gently pulls you back, allowing you to see your creation through twelve different pairs of eyes. This perspective shift can be jarring, even painful, but it's where true growth begins.
The Emotional Laboratory: Processing Creative Feedback
What makes receiving feedback so challenging isn't just the critique itself—it's how it resonates with our deepest insecurities. When feedback touches these tender spots, it can trigger what I call the "not-enough-ness" response—a feeling that may have roots in our earliest experiences of inadequacy.
Here's a transformative exercise for when feedback feels overwhelming:
Pause and breathe
Ask yourself: "When did I first feel this 'not enough' sensation?"
Journal about that first memory
Transform that vulnerability into character development
This emotional archaeology isn't just therapeutic—it's creative gold. Your deepest wounds often become your most powerful stories.
The Promise of Transformation
Having published five books, a passel of essays, and now working my tenth draft of a novel, I have taken this journey many times and have guided countless writers along the way. I can testify that the suffering of creation is profound, but so is the reward. Like a phoenix rising from creative ashes, each workshop cycle brings writers closer to their authentic voice…if they hold steady, if they trust, if they carry on.
As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, remember that every great writer you admire has walked this path of creative transformation. The workshop isn't just about improving your craft—it's about becoming the writer you're meant to be.
Thanks for being here, Jennifer
PS: Post a comment about your own workshop experiences! Or join us on the subscriber chat!
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