Brave New Voice: When Writers First Read Aloud

From solitary writing to shared wisdom

From first-time reader to bestselling author and master teacher: an intimate look at the workshop experience that transforms writers. Learn how deep diving and practical craft merge to create lasting work.

“I write in a solitude born out of community.”

~ Terry Tempest Williams

Welcome into Flight School:

After months of observing from the edges of Tom Spanbauer's Dangerous Writers workshop, the day arrive to take my place at the table and read aloud. My son Spencer was about six months old, and those precious Saturday workshop hours were my lifeline to the writing world.

The Ritual

Eight pages maximum. Double-spaced. Twelve-point Times New Roman. Name on top. Page numbers. Enough copies for everyone. Such simple requirements, yet carrying those pages into that room felt like cupping my exposed heart in my palms.

Tom Spanbauer, whose students included Chuck Palahniuk and many other notable writers, had created a space where serious craft met raw truth. His workshops weren't just about technique - they were about diving deep into human experience, about finding the courage to put our most vulnerable work on the page.

The First Reading

I can still feel the oceanic roar in my head waiting my turn to read aloud. With each writer who read before me, the sound grew louder. When Tom finally called my name, I barely heard him - just saw his hand motioning me forward, his steady gaze over his glasses.

I distributed my pages, watching these strangers skim my words, and learned the first lesson of workshop: this is how we build community. This is how solitary work becomes shared experience.

Understanding Workshop

Frank Conroy traces the writer's workshop tradition back to Iowa University, where the radical idea that creative work could be worthy of academic study took root. Today, workshops remain vital spaces where writers find their voices and their community.

But here's what matters most: workshops, like the writers who attend them, have distinct personalities. Some focus purely on craft. Others on emotional truth. Some specialize in specific genres. And there are others welcome all forms. The key is finding the one that serves your work.

The Evolution of Teaching

In my own program at Flight School and The Blackbird Studio, I've learned from masters like Tom Spanbauer while developing my own approach. Like Tom, I push for deep diving and courage. But I also believe in practical, accessible teachings. No drama. Just great teaching, and good writing that grows to be great.

What I Learned

That first reading taught me several truths:

• Some feedback rings like a clear bell - trust that

• Other advice falls flat - trust that too

• The vulnerability of sharing makes us better readers of others' work

• Community matters as much as critique

✍️ Your Turn

Whether you're preparing for your first workshop or remembering your own initial reading, share a moment when you first shared your work. What surprised you most about the experience?

Remember: Every writer needs community, but the right community. Choose spaces that challenge you while honoring your voice and your truth.

Thanks for flying with me, J. 🐦‍⬛