Two Sundays, July 21 (mandatory attendance for first-timers) and Sept. 22, 10:30 am to 1 pm (optional) plus teacher-facilitated daily online writing (with partners) between meetings
$195 members/$225 others     San Francisco
Student Testimonials

“The imagination,” said novelist Dean Koontz, ‘is like a muscle: The more you use it, the better it performs and the quicker you get ideas of higher caliber.’ The Round Robin is based on the same premise,” says instructor Jane Underwood. “The more you use your writing muscles, the more you will tone and strengthen them. The primary focus is PRACTICE. Every day you will practice your writing, in the same way that a piano student practices the piano or a swimmer swims laps.”

This class is structured around a carefully facilitated exchange of daily emailed writings (based on prompts provided by Jane) among all class members, plus two in-class meetings.

Round Robin’ers aim to do three things: 1) write regularly, 2) enjoy and explore the process of writing freely and playfully (discovering what you have to say in the act of saying it), and 3) “partner” on a rotating basis with classmates. (“Partnering” will be explained at the first meeting.)

“We might talk about some basic elements of craft during class meetings,” says Jane, “but the main focus of this class will not be discussions of craft. The focus will be on finding the inspiration, motivation and self-discipline to keep writing and to keep generating raw material that you may eventually choose to rewrite, revise, and publish. It will also be about learning to recognize and appreciate the strength of your natural voice, before you have a chance to snuff it out by revising your work too hastily.”

Writers in all genres and at all levels of experience have participated in this class, and we have many Round Robin returnees who take the class year-round.

NOTE: Attendance at the first meeting is mandatory for newcomers. Attendance at the final meeting is optional but new students, especially, are encouraged to attend. In addition, every class member must commit to full participation on a daily basis (time required; 20 to 30 minutes, on average). If you don’t stick to your daily commitment, we will find someone to take your place.

Jane Underwood, founder of The Writing Salon, has been a writer, editor and teacher more than 30 years. Her poetry, prose, erotica, articles and essays have appeared in print and online periodicals (SF Chronicle, The Sun, Five Fingers Review, Quarterly West, Western Humanities Review, Libido, babycenter.com, Conversely.com, Salon.com), anthologies (The Ecstatic Moment, Yellow Silk, Ripe Fruit, Best Women’s Erotica, Nesting: It’s a Chick Thing), and on stage (Lilith Theater). She holds a masters degree in creative writing, has taught many creative writing classes ranging from “word painting (‘show a lot, tell a little’)” to erotica writing to personal essay writing. She has spent the last six years leading “Round Robin” groups (every session, non-stop!).