Writing with Lesley

My approach to working with writers reflects my core belief that every person has stories worth telling. Sometimes the stories take shape as fictions, sometimes as personal essays or memoirs, sometimes as poems, and sometimes a combination of everything.

What matters most to me as a writing instructor is reinforcing your own faith in the importance your stories and in the power of your own voice.

I support in-class writing, using prompts that offer writers a wide berth. If you are a novelist, you use the prompts as they relate to your novel. If you are an essayist, you use them as the basis of personal essays. If you’re exploring creative writing for the first time, you let the prompt manifest in whatever style of written expression you like.

PLAY! is my credo as a writing instructor. Step into the sandbox of your imagination and mess around in there!

Mindfulness sneaks into my writing workshops, too. Because writers often face the paralyzing nature of our Inner Critics, I share specific mindfulness practices that offer new ways in to disarming the Critic.

Also, all of my workshops include what I call Craftbox—simple exercises that strengthen awareness and ability related to different craft and style elements in writing.

I offer writing workshops throughout the year, generally through UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, Skirball Cultural Center and also via my signature class The Runcible Pen Creative Writing Workshop.

I also work with writers 1-1. My 1-1 work is best suited to writers making their way through a longer project and writers interested in creative writing but not comfortable in a workshop setting.

I aim to make my workshops accessible to all. Please contact me if you wish to inquire about financial assistance.