A Class With Me
Except one time—in Nashville in 2019—I’ve never taught a live class.
I’m going to now. This post is an “early alert.” We’ll have a website and registration site with all the info up in a few days. For now, here’s the gist:
- The event will be a one-day class/retreat, with me and my friend Roda Ahmed.
- It’ll be on June 8, a Saturday, at the Zuma Orchid Ranch in Malibu, California.
- It’ll be outdoors in a beautiful location.
- I’m not sure yet what the cost will be. That’ll be in the website.
- The event is for writers, artists, and entrepreneurs of all kinds.
The subject matter will NOT be the craft of writing. I won’t be talking about structure or characterization or anything like that.
The day will be about the mindset that the writer/artist needs to start and finish a project like a novel, a long-form TV script, or a book/album/game/startup … that may take a year or two years … and that will have to be accomplished essentially ALONE, i.e. without an external supporting structure like a school, a corporation, or a community.
In other words: How do you go into a room all by yourself, with just a laptop, and keep working positively and creatively despite all the hell that life and your own fevered brain is going to throw at you?
This will be a serious, hard-core, tough-love day. Don’t sign up if you’re just fiddling around. You’ll be wasting your money.
Come for real.
More details in the next few days.
DO THE WORK
Steve shows you the predictable Resistance points that every writer hits in a work-in-progress and then shows you how to deal with each one of these sticking points. This book shows you how to keep going with your work.
THE AUTHENTIC SWING
A short book about the writing of a first novel: for Steve, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Having failed with three earlier attempts at novels, here's how Steve finally succeeded.
NOBODY WANTS TO READ YOUR SH*T
Steve shares his "lessons learned" from the trenches of the five different writing careers—advertising, screenwriting, fiction, nonfiction, and self-help. This is tradecraft. An MFA in Writing in 197 pages.
TURNING PRO
Amateurs have amateur habits. Pros have pro habits. When we turn pro, we give up the comfortable life but we find our power. Steve answers the question, "How do we overcome Resistance?"
Omg a class with the man who wrote Gates Of Fire? Sign me UP, yo!!
Great News! I attended the Nashville class. It was my first wring class ever. It was inspiring for me. Would love to attend another! Keep the details coming.
I realized I didn’t check my spelling:(
What a great idea. Not for those “just fiddling around” – made me laugh. It should be a good group then.
I’d love to come! Checking out flights from the UK to see if I can make it work.
I love your tough love Steven! Good on you and Rhoda for putting this book and event together, I’m so pleased for you and all the creatives attending. Malibu is a tad far for this creative so let me applaud you from afar.
Keep on rocking the writing and creative process Steven, the world needs it
From Sunny Dublin – Nicola
Thank you so much for the class dear Steve, if you can find a way to share it with those of us who won’t be able to be there let us know. If not that’s also perfect, we always learn from you in profound and humane ways.
P.s. ah, the book is running again. Not running, but walking. The time is coming. The idea from that last post that magic happens gave this boost. I can see this too: It’s not an idea itself that can create change or great creations, but the fact that one idea may come at the right time and is wonderfuly woven with all the dynamics of one’s self. All one must do for that is never stop keep searching for their purpose’s shake.
Resistance may back down in front of a will that’s not glorious, but yet still unstoppable.
It sure would be lovely to meet some of you in person someday!! I’m not sure if I can attend yet or not, but this is exciting nonetheless. Have a wonderful and productive day, Tolis!!
It would be, my dear Kate. When you’ll come to Greece too, you must let me know. A unique experience.
I so resonate with this:
…the fact that one idea may come at the right time and is wonderfully woven with all the dynamics of one’s self. All one must do for that is never stop keep searching for their purpose’s shake.
Beautifully put. Thanks, Tolis!
I’m in Australia and unlikely to be able to get there for the class (even if accepted, that is). Might there be an option to purchase a link to watch the day after it’s held for those overseas.
Fantastic! Will you be considering a live-streaming option for those of us overseas? Or even an audio recording of if we can purchase? I would love to participate but with a senior dog fresh out of surgery with a 6wk recovery period here in Glasgow, I won’t be able to physically be present but would love an opportunity to participate. Cheers!
Will it have an online option?
Damn. Why did it have to be on the day my first grandkid graduates in Seattle. I know. I know. Excuses. Excuses. Hope you do this again in the future. I would be all in.
Wow! Not only for those not fiddling around but for those who might only have big bucks to make it there! For those of us who are not serious and have to work for a living and can’t fly in will just have to wait and pay for the recorded zoom call next year I guess.
Don’t believe all of that I just said at first. That was just was resistance talking. Ill see if I can do some bake sales to make it!
Dear Al,
Can I work at your bake sale fundraiser? I make a mean brownie 🙂 Just thought I’d let you know your reply made me smile. Resistance in my head sounds the same.
Respectfully,
Kate
I am looking forward to the details and plan on attending. I need a kick in the ass.
I second Larry! I need Steve’s class to kick my ass into gear. I hope to attend! Looking forward to the details. This is exciting.
Brilliant
Is there any possibility of this being a live stream/feed with a paid for link?
Sounds like a trajectory changing experience. Thank you for offering this!
There!
As someone who saw you in Nashville in 2019, and it changed my life, I can attest to the power of seeing you live, sharing about the life of an artist. Sounds amazing, Steve. I hope to make it.
Hmmmm!
Sounds excellent. To attend in person? Miracles can happen.
Sounds like a day for WAR OF ART. the best book I have ever read on writing. Wishing you so much success. We need you
This is All so very wonderful. Love the invite and the comments. I want to second, third and fourth the possible option of live stream, audio, notes, something???? for us unble to attend.
This is perfect for me! I’m going to be in LA visiting my family and I love Zuma Orchid!!!
I’m in process of writing my first book and really need a kick in the pants.
Sounds great. I am for news of how it all went afterwards.
I would love to come but live too far away (overseas). Will you livestream online?
Dammit I’m in the UK, are you going to record it and can I buy the recording if you are? I have a big project that is indeed going to take one to two years, and yes it’s just me. I have all your books and listen to your audiobooks a lot, they have already helped so much. Now if only I could osmose more of your wisdom!
Live Stream!!!! Or please record and put it online for those of us who can’t make it there!!!! Not free of course
YES PLEASE!!!!! SOUTH AFRICA IS FARRRRR FROM THE VENUE!
Resistance just entered the video game world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23VPwB_0mxM&t=133s
Yes, please 🙋🏼♀️
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Yay!!
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