What the veterans’ writing workshop is

A free nine-month writing workshop for serving members, veterans, and members of their families. The goal is for participants to get their stories down on paper.

How it works

We meet as a small group (maximum of twelve people) one evening per month from September to May (schedule varies by location). Most of the homework will be done on your own, outside of our monthly meetings. You read your assignments to the group, who will listen attentively, provide feedback, and encourage you to keep writing.

Who the workshop is for

Anyone who is ready to tell their story, regardless of their level of experience. Our very first group included both beginners and published authors. What matters is that everyone shares the same goal and supports one another.

While the workshops provide the emotional and mental health benefits of community support, we are not therapists or counsellors. Please get professional help if you need that, and we will welcome you to the workshop when you are ready.

What to expect

We progress through the workbook, reading and completing the assigned writing exercises prior to meeting each month. A different aspect of writing is developed with each chapter, such as point of view, dialogue, setting, writing about trauma, etc. As participants read their assignments, the group provides suggestions and support.

We also encourage everyone to share some of their personal writing.  It could be poetry, the beginning of a novel, a short story, essay, or a screenplay – military fiction or nonfiction - whatever you choose to write about.

What you will get out of it

Completing the assignments and reading your own work to a like-minded group will instill confidence in you as a writer. We know it takes a lot of courage, but with practice, it does get easier. The interaction with other writers is important to the process because it allows you to clarify and polish your story. Their questions and suggestions allow you to step back from your own writing to consider which elements add value or detract from your story. Sometimes simple rephrasing or providing more detail will improve a story.