In a world where more and more depend on machines to do the writing for you there is one place where imagination is still key.  Writers Mirror’s Writers  Circle is a live 12 week Deep Narrative Intensive group-based program, the outcomes of which are to support and guide you through the inception and creation of a 5 to 7 scene narrative movement. One that exists either as a stand-alone short story or smaller part of a larger work.  In either case, the scene, action and structure of this is designed to take readers on a deeply satisfying journey of change. In all iterations of this program, everyone who has focused on the learning and given themselves over to the guiding ideas has shown the uncanny capability to produce creative writing more readable and alive than much of the fiction that stacks bookstore shelves. Over 12 weeks you will contemplate, write, reflect, rewrite and edit your short story to be the best it can be, and so much more. The key program milestones will be sent to you on program acceptance.

In earlier editions of this program we’ve delivered it over the course of a year. It’s now been rebuilt and refined into the three month window. This has been done to ensure momentum of action with words committed to the page. It’s why teamwork or cohesion is more important here in key phases of the program.

Ultimately the most satisfying experience, outside of meeting your writing goals and experiencing your own writing evoking desired reader emotions is being a contribution to others who could be struggling with certain steps.

Our promise is so long as you do all of the exercises as designed, give generous Reflection, you will develop writing close to almost anything that’s been published.

As John Irving says, “I wouldn’t say I have a talent that’s special. It strikes me that I have an unusual kind of stamina.”

98% of it comes down to doing it and much of the rest of it is attitudinal. These go hand in hand, it’s simple but not necessarily easy. If you become unsure, and this is normal, come back to the first exercise of noticing first thoughts and devoting 10 or more minutes to going wherever the pen takes you.

Ultimately we are all in its power.

                            “THE HEIGHT OF CULTIVATION ALWAYS RUNS TO 

                             SIMPLICITY.”

                                    BRUCE LEE

While you are encouraged and will invariably write more, we are aiming for completed works of less than 2500 words.  This boundary concentrates your forces to deliver scenes designed to take your readers and characters on a psychical and emotional journey of change.  Ironically it’s from this space of fictional creation that the emotional truths of one’s own life begin to shine through.   You’ll also be expected to give 3 Reflection level reviews of other participant posts before you’ll receive the same from your tutor.   While all of us are different, most in the program will ‘pop’ in the first 3-4 weeks. Others come in with an idea and some take longer. Nevertheless, the great foundational story concepts will hit like a lightning bolt.  

So what will you get out Writers Circle?

• You’ll bring a uniquely personal short story that’s all your own to life.  One with great readability, that no-one but you could write.
• Delve in and under the hood for each of your scenes to build up what works and discard what doesn’t.
• Write dialogue that rings true for your characters under pressure.

• Build a world with details to enhance the dramatic power of your story.

• Pace, tone and detail each and every emotion, location and situation to ultimately fulfil the covenant promise of your story’s climax.

• Why your story’s opponent deserves as much, if not more attention, than your main character.   And why that’s great news.

• Advanced Reflection and Dream Map levels designed for each step of the program.

• Become a part of a supportive circle of working writers with useful Reflection that steps you and your story up to the next level.

• Every journey starts with a simple step.  In week 1, we give you the genre beats.   Each hold true to their own form, structure and convention.  Or as great story script whisperer Billy-Marshall Stoneking called it, ‘Story Grammar’.

• Construct and execute the primal battles to drive your story forward.

                “STRUCTURE IS TRANSLATION SOFTWARE FOR YOUR 

                 IMAGINATION.”

                           JAMES SCOTT BELL

This conflict can and should be within a character, between characters.  Or otherwise pit your characters against their environment.  These movements of conflict, with highs and lows play like music.  At the right times you’ll use all three of these levels to effect.   Many pundits recommend throwing everything including the kitchen sink at your characters.

                 “BE A SADIST. NO MATTER HOW SWEET AND INNOCENT YOUR 

                 LEADING CHARACTERS, MAKE AWFUL THINGS HAPPEN TO 

                 THEM — IN ORDER THAT THE READER MAY SEE WHAT THEY

                 ARE MADE OF.”

                  KURT VONNEGUT JR.

But the most primal battles go for and attack the very DNA of your character. That’s where much of Writers Muse 1 and 2 tread.  Structure your character’s story good and they’ll almost write the scene for you.   Is the scene you’re working on enhancing or strangling what got you inspired in the first place and ultimately envisaged? Spaces are extremely limited and at waitlist only.  We’re on the lookout for the most committed practitioners.  Those with the stamina to delve for the hard truths and the critical ability to be flexible when one’s project demands starting again at The Blank Page.   Equally Writers Circle is built on generous readers.   Your willingness to give and receive responsible, authentic Reflection will at times be emotionally challenging. Write, read, do the work, inspire your team.  You will not be the same person by weeks 11 and 12 that began Writers Circle.

                  “YOU HAVE TO GET RID OF THE SELF- CONSCIOUSNESS, THAT PARTICULAR

                   EGOTISM THAT STOPS YOU WORKING. WHEN I STARTED WRITING

                  PROFESSIONALLY AS A TEENAGER,  A LOT OF MY EFFORT WENT INTO

                DEVELOPING THE ABILITY TO KEEP WORKING, TO KEEP PRODUCING

               READABLE COPY.  I HAD TO GET USED TO THINKING ON MY FEET AND

               SOPHISTICATING THINGS AS I WENT ALONG.  YOU SEE, I WASN’T WORKING

              FOR AN EDITOR, I WAS WRITING FOR A PRINTER. THE PRESS WAS READY,

              WAITING FOR COPY; AND IT WOULD BE READY FOR MORE TOMORROW, 

              AND MORE THIS TIME NEXT WEEK.  THERE WAS ALWAYS THE CHANCE

              TO DO BETTER TOMORROW.”

                    MICHAEL MOORCOCK

https://writersmirror.com/2023/10/02/writers-circle/

Writers Muse 1 & 2 are program prerequisites.  We recognise that your experience is unique – we only offer this via invitation.

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