For the next five weeks, we'll bring you a story written and read by Writing Class Radio co-host, Andrea Askowitz, with commentary by her editor, co-host, Allison Langer. Andrea took a weekly essay challenge, which was inspired by a quote by the author of Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury. He said, “Write a short story every week. It’s not possible to write 52 bad stories in a row.”

This week, something cool happened. Andrea didn’t know what to write about, so she called Allison and they both set timers for 15 minutes and wrote to the prompt: Christmas. On this episode, Allison and Andrea read the stories they wrote. And they talk about how to get from writing prompt to getting published. Andrea writes about what bringing a Christmas tree into her Jewish family meant for them. And why she thinks the Christmas tree is the gateway drug to Christianity. 

Allison reads her story, which was recently published in The Washington Post. The story is about her perspective as a photographer who takes holiday pictures of other families while suffering through the grief of losing her daughter. Andrea details exactly what was considered in the editing process and what ultimately led to the final paragraph, where Allison steps into the higher register and speaks directly to the reader/listener. They also talk about the question they always ask their students: What is this story about? 

We hope this process will inspire you to write and get published. 

Writing Class Radio is a podcast where you’ll hear true personal stories from the students in our class and learn a little about how to write your own stories. Writing Class Radio is equal parts heart and art. By heart we mean the truth in a story. By art we mean the craft of writing. No matter what’s going on in our lives, writing class is where we tell the truth. It’s where we work out our shit, and figure out who we are. There’s no place in the world like writing class. 

Writing Class Radio is co-hosted by Allison Langer (www.allisonlanger.com) and Andrea Askowitz (www.andreaaskowitz.com). 

Writing Class Radio is produced by Virginia Lora, Andrea Askowitz and Allison Langer and is sponsored by and recorded at The Launchpad at The University of Miami, which aims to make the practice of entrepreneurship available to all students and alumni. 

Theme music is by Justina Shandler. Additional music by Podington Bear. You can find all our music on our website.

There’s more writing class on our website (www.writingclassradio.com), twitter (@wrtgclassradio) and Facebook. 

If you have a story ready for publication, we have a free publishing guide. Go to writingclassradio.com and join our mailing list and we’ll send you the guide.

If you want to be a part of the movement that brings people together through storytelling, please go to writingclassradio.com and hit the DONATE button.

Episode 54: From Writing Prompt to Published Story

This week, Andrea uses the epistolary form--story written as a letter--to get her point across. The letter form is very intimate because the narrator is speaking directing to you. We hope this process will help writers get published or at least get inspire to write.

For the next four weeks, we will bring you a story written and read by Writing Class Radio co-host, Andrea Askowitz, with commentary by her editor, co-host, Allison Langer. Andrea took a weekly essay challenge, which was inspired by a quote by the author of Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury. He said, “Write a short story every week. It’s not possible to write 52 bad stories in a row.”

Writing Class Radio is a podcast where you’ll hear true personal stories from the students in our class and learn a little about how to write your own stories. Writing Class Radio is equal parts heart and art. By heart we mean the truth in a story. By art we mean the craft of writing. No matter what’s going on in our lives, writing class is where we tell the truth. It’s where we work out our shit, and figure out who we are. There’s no place in the world like writing class. 

Writing Class Radio is co-hosted by Allison Langer (www.allisonlanger.com) and Andrea Askowitz (www.andreaaskowitz.com). 

Writing Class Radio is produced by Virginia Lora, Andrea Askowitz and Allison Langer. 

Writing Class Radio is sponsored by and recorded at The Launchpad at The University of Miami which aims to make the practice of entrepreneurship available to all students and alumni. 

Theme music is by Justina Shandler. Additional music by Paddington Bear. You can find all our music on our website.

There’s more writing class on our website (www.writingclassradio.com), twitter (@wrtgclassradio) and Facebook. 

If you want to be a part of the movement that brings people together through storytelling, please go to writingclassradio.com and hit the DONATE button.

Episode 55: The Mean Letter You Always Wanted to Write

For the next three weeks, we will bring you a story written and read by Writing Class Radio co-host, Andrea Askowitz, with commentary by her editor, co-host, Allison Langer. Andrea took a weekly essay challenge, which was inspired by a quote by the author of Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury. He said, “Write a short story every week. It’s not possible to write 52 bad stories in a row.”

On this episode, Allison and Andrea talk about a subject that comes up in every writing class: What do you do about writing about other people? Andrea tells a funny story about how everyone in her life wants to be included in her stories, even if they’re not portrayed in a glowing light. She reveals she wants to be included too. After the story is read, Allison and Andrea discuss what it took to get to the why in the story and what edits were made along the way. We hope this process will help writers get inspired to write.

Writing Class Radio is a podcast where you’ll hear true personal stories from the students in our class and learn a little about how to write your own stories. Writing Class Radio is equal parts heart and art. By heart we mean the truth in a story. By art we mean the craft of writing. No matter what’s going on in our lives, writing class is where we tell the truth. It’s where we work out our shit, and figure out who we are. There’s no place in the world like writing class. 

Writing Class Radio is co-hosted by Allison Langer (www.allisonlanger.com) and Andrea Askowitz (www.andreaaskowitz.com). 

Writing Class Radio is produced by Virginia Lora, Andrea Askowitz and Allison Langer. 

Writing Class Radio is sponsored by and recorded at The Launchpad at The University of Miami which aims to make the practice of entrepreneurship available to all students and alumni. 

Theme music is by Justina Shandler. Additional music is by Poddington Bear. You can find all our music on our website.

There’s more writing class on our website (www.writingclassradio.com), twitter (@wrtgclassradio) and Facebook. 

If you want to be a part of the movement that brings people together through storytelling, please go to writingclassradio.com and hit the DONATE button.

Episode 56: Write About Me!

On this episode, we talk about procrastination. We also talk about speaking directly to the reader from a place of experience. And giving advice, which is really hard in a story and in life. If you're willing to be vulnerable, you can do it.

We’re starting with a story by Jenni Berrett called You Aren’t Lazy--You’re Just Terrified: On Paralysis and Perfectionism. Jenni is a columnist at Ravishly, an online magazine that celebrates the mess of being human. Her story is relevant to all of us messy humans, especially the messy writers among us. 

Writing Class Radio is a podcast where you’ll hear true personal stories from the students in our class and learn a little about how to write your own stories. Writing Class Radio is equal parts heart and art. By heart we mean the truth in a story. By art we mean the craft of writing. No matter what’s going on in our lives, writing class is where we tell the truth. It’s where we work out our shit, and figure out who we are. There’s no place in the world like writing class. 

Writing Class Radio is co-hosted by Allison Langer (www.allisonlanger.com) and Andrea Askowitz (www.andreaaskowitz.com). 

Writing Class Radio is produced by Virginia Lora, Andrea Askowitz and Allison Langer. 

Writing Class Radio is sponsored by The Launchpad at The University of Miami which aims to make the practice of entrepreneurship available to all students and alumni. This episode is also sponsored by the podcast, Made Visible. Made Visible is hosted by Harper Spero who struggles with a hidden illness. She uses her podcast to bring other people’s hidden illnesses to light. This episode is also sponsored by Allison Langer, writing coach and editor. 

Theme music is by Justina Shandler. Additional music is by Podington Bear. You can find all our music on our website. 

There’s more writing class on our website (www.writingclassradio.com), twitter (@wrtgclassradio) and Facebook. 

Writing Class Radio is now open to submissions from our listeners. Go to the submissions page on our website for guidelines. We pay! 

If you want to be a part of the movement that brings people together through storytelling, please go to writingclassradio.com and hit the DONATE button.

Episode 61: How to Stop Procrastinating and Write Your Story

Writing Class Radio is for people who love stories and who get inspired by hearing other people tell their stories and who wants to learn a little bit about how to write their own stories.  You'll hear students write their way to the truth.  And you'll hear students trying to deal as we follow them outside of class and into their real lives.  Plus you'll hear all the juicy stuff that happens in writing class---resistance, crying, break-throughs, connection.  There's no better way to understand ourselves and each other than by writing and telling our stories. Everyone has a story. What's yours?


Episode 61: How to Stop Procrastinating and Write Your Story

writing class radio