The Writing Salon’s Online Class
“The Round Robin is a great invention right up there with Post-it Notes, Velcro, ATM’s.”
—Dale Bentson
“The more you use your writing muscles, the more you tone and strengthen them.”
-Jane Underwood
Jane Underwood, founder of The Writing Salon and creator of Round Robin, had a unique vision when she developed the class. By combining several elements—partnering, repetition, practice, feedback, and dedication—she created not just a writing course but a vibrant community, one that has continued and grown for over a decade.
Daily writing and partner exchanges are crucial to the foundation of the course. Each Sunday, participants receive writing prompts for the upcoming week. A sample prompt might be “apple” or “I haven’t forgotten.” Participants are expected to commit to the class for 20-30 minutes each day, with 10-12 of those minutes going toward their own writing and the other 10-20 minutes toward partner responses. New partners are assigned on a weekly basis.
Writers in all genres and at all levels of experience take this class. Beginners use it to get started. Seasoned writers use it to stave off writer’s block and to generate new material. Many participants return session after session as they’ve found that the daily writing practice enables them to continually produce new material, to invite the unexpected, and to prioritize writing amid otherwise busy schedules.
Round Robin is offered twice a year in a 3-week version, twice a year in a longer 6-week version, and twice a year in the traditional 8-week version. If you’re a “Robin” and you’d like to take your work to the next level, The Writing Salon now offers additional online classes where you can get more extensive feedback on creative pieces that you’ve started in Round Robin.
In This Class You Will
Write regularly
Enjoy and explore the process of writing freely and playfully
“Partner” on a rotating basis with classmates
Provide positive feedback in order to encourage one another and create community
Upcoming Round Robin Classes
Hear From Our Robins
- Internet Software Executive
What are your most valuable lessons from your Writing Salon experience?
Learning how to show and not tell. Learning how to overcome writer's block. Learning how to tell a story. Learned how to accept & give constructive feedback.
If applicable, how have you felt about the peer and instructor critiques that you have received at The Writing Salon? Please explain.
I've found tremendous motivation to work and learn when I know there are people who are going to read with focus and agonize over what might improve my writing.
How many classes have you taken at The Writing Salon? And which ones, as far as you remember?
23 classes. I've taken "Finding Your Voice" once, "Humor Writing" twice, "Fiction" once, and 15 Round Robins. I've taken "Erotic Writing" twice, "Getting Yourself Published," and "Humor Writing" as one-day classes.
Describe The Writing Salon in one word.
Necessary.
- Retired Crime Victim Advocate
What are your most valuable lessons from your Writing Salon experience?
In relation to Round Robin: being held accountable on a daily basis to another reader has begun to feel necessary if I am going to keep writing. Something else: if you do something enough, it will eventually get a little better. And, I thoroughly enjoy reading and talking about a partner's writing.
How has The Writing Salon community impacted your personal and creative life?
I know that Round Robin helps me to look at my life and what's around me, behind me, in front of me, what makes it my life, what makes it like everyone else's. It provides the reason to look and to tell, and to try and tell it well.
If applicable, how have you felt about the peer and instructor critiques that you have received at The Writing Salon? Please explain.
I think that positive commentary of Round Robin is what helps me let go of what I might think is rubbish, and be able to just try again the next day.
Describe The Writing Salon in one word.
Valuable.
- Businessman
What are your most valuable lessons from your Writing Salon experience?
Write, even when you want to.
How many classes have you taken at The Writing Salon? And which ones, as far as you remember?
All 50 Round Robins plus about a dozen more.
How has The Writing Salon community impacted your personal and creative life?
I have made many new friends, have been inspired, and began looking at issues in my life over a longer arc.
Describe The Writing Salon in one word.
Metamorphic.
- Retail Management
What steps did you take to become a committed writer?
I started with the Writing Salon in 2001.
How many classes have you taken at The Writing Salon? And which ones, as far as you remember?
So many ~ personal essay, round robin, novel writing, publishing!
What are your most valuable lessons from your Writing Salon experience?
I CAN write and others appreciate my work.
Describe The Writing Salon in one word.
Splendid.
