Please respond with one number — either 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1.
5 being “strongly agree,” and 1 being “strongly disagree.”

1.  I am satisfied with the workshop leader’s teaching skill. 4
2.  I am satisfied with this workshop leader’s communication skill. 3
3.  I learned a lot from this workshop leader. 5
4.  I would recommend this workshop to others. 5
5.  I would take an advanced version of this workshop. 3

1. What did you enjoy about the workshop? Please explain.

I thoroughly enjoyed learning by reading other writers’ writing. I was also extremely grateful to have critiques of my writing. And, I appreciated that the workshop touched on so many aspects of the book-writing endeavor – from writing to publishing.

2. How could the workshop be improved? Please explain.

It would have been helpful to have the assignments sooner in the week. In many cases I only had two weeknights to complete my assignment. This was difficult as I often worked late into the evening. I would have preferred if the assignments were posted by Sunday morning, thereby allowing me Sunday evening to work on it. Also, I occasionally found the chat rooms a bit unnecessary. It was difficult for the group to stay “on topic,” and at times I couldn’t even ascertain the topic.

3. What were the reasons you signed up for this workshop?

I needed inspiration, encouragement, and technical skills to continue writing my book. I hadn’t been writing for months, and needed a “kick start.” This did just that.

4. Did this workshop provide information that was valuable to you? Please explain.

Yes. There are many things that were valuable: learning that information should be told as stories; that these stories should have a beginning, middle, and end; that determining the ending early on in the writing process is essential; that tone, style, and voice are critical. Most of all, John helped me determine the thrust of my book.

5. How did this workshop compare with other training you have had?

I haven’t taken other writing workshops, save for journalism classes. But, in talking with friends who have, it seems that we were doing what is appropraite – receiving assignments, critiquing others’ assignments, reading published works, etc.

6. Was the workshop a good value? How does it compare with the cost of other workshops you may have investigated?

I believe it was an excellent value. Ten weeks for $300 dollars was affordable, which is important for poor about-to-be-grad-students like me. Yet it was substantial enough to make me want to participate fully and actively each week in order to obtain my “monies’ worth.”

7. Please write any comments you have about the teacher? His presentation format? His communication skills?

Taking this class was more difficult than I expected. Since I have been a newspaper journalist for more than 15 years, I naively thought that writing a book wouldn’t be too difficult. It was frustrating to see that others who weren’t earning a living as a writer took to the writing naturally, whereas I struggled. I desperately wanted John’s approval. It’s the ego thing, I guess. So, there were times when I felt others were being favored in the writing critiques and in the chat rooms, and that I was being left to languish. Keep in mind that this is my ego speaking, and I realize this. Students want their teachers’ approval. But, once I put this aside and really thought about what John provided, I realized that he helped me so much. His last comments to me – about the direction and “theme” of my book – were the most helpful. This gave me confidence to continue writing it, despite my own fears that what I did in Peace Corps isn’t “heroic” enough to get published. I didn’t help women birth babies, I didn’t survive a kidnapping, and I didn’t serve as part of JFK’s first Peace Corps crew. But, I do have a story, and John has helped me fully realize this.

8. Do you have any comments about the weekly written Lessons? Assignments? Writers’ interviews?

The lessons were solid and full of useful information – information that I will refer to often in the next months. The lessons were concise, yet rich – and interesting to read. I thought all of the assignments were appropriate. However, it seemed the assignment in which we were required to provide an outline of our books was never given serious attention by John or the other writers. That said, I bet John referred back to our outlines at the end of the workshop when he gave each of us input about what he believed to be the themes of our books. I also learned a lot through the writers’ interviews. The most helpful aspect of these interviews was learning how these published writers organized their books, and how they went about getting them published.

How was the timing of these?

Like I said above, it would have been helpful to have the assignments sooner in the week. In many cases I only had two weeknights to complete my assignment. This was difficult as I often worked late into the evening. I would have preferred if the assignments been posted by Sunday morning, thereby allowing me Sunday evening to work on it.

9. What are your thoughts about the computer on-line aspect of this workshop?

I thought it worked well. Of course, it would have been nice to see each other’s faces. This was the first online course I’ve taken, and I was surprised at how easy it was to work with it. The one thing I would have liked to have seen on the website is some sort of “general forum” in which we could have posted notes to the entire group. This would have been helpful when, say, I couldn’t make the chat room that night and wanted to inform others. Or when I wanted to clarify something in my weekly assignment that had the others confused.

About the effectiveness of the weekly forums and feedback system?

The feedback was of immense help and was the single most valuable aspect of this workshop. Like I said above, I wasn’t necessarily enamored with the chat rooms. I hesitate to say this, however, as I don’t have a suggestion for how to improve the chat rooms. I know that trying to communicate with nine writers online at one time is difficult and that any one person can easily and sometimes unknowingly manipulate the process.

About the effectiveness of the weekly evening one-hour chats? The day of the week, the time of day? Please explain.

The day and time of week were good. I had enough time to get home from work, have dinner, and get online.

10. You participated in this workshop with other people. Was their feedback a benefit or not? Please explain.

Yes, the writers’ feedback was helpful. That said, I did notice that most writers read the comments of others before providing their critique. This resulted in a lot of “I agree with what X said…” comments. I often wondered what people would have written in every case had they not known what others said. It’s like the media telling us that John Kerry lacks a message, and then, without checking into it ourselves, submitting to the drumbeat of the media. However, I recognize that the flaws in one’s writing are often obvious and therefore can often be found by multiple parties.

11. The leader provided feedback on your writing. Was this a benefit or not? Please explain.

There were times I wished John would have been more specific. And there were times when he was specific and thorough. I appreciated the occasional re-write from John, as this helped me see a good example of how to approach my stories.

12. Please write any other general comments you have about the workshop that will be helpful to us.

This workshop was of immense value and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity. Thank you for offering it, and thank you for fostering the work of fledging writers.

13. May we publish on our website, Peace Corps Writers, your name and quotes from your comments about this workshop as a way to inform other RPCVs of the value of this course?

Yes!

14. Please provide your name.

Miranda Bryant