Writers Workshop

The Writers Workshop began as a non-credited course through the Community Colleges of Spokane Institute for Extended Learning.  The course changed to the ACT 2 Program to encourage seniors over the age of 50 to participate in classes. 

This course was designed for those who want to write memoirs, stories, essays or poetry.  Members share their work, weekly.  Discussion and thoughtful, considerate, feedback is encouraged.  

Lisa Conger, the third course facilitator, acquired the position in 2000. 

After Fall quarter, 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic hit and the workshop was put on hold.  Ms. Conger retired Spring Quarter 2020. 

Spring Quarter 2021, Spokane Community College decided to disband the Cheney classes, however, class members decided to continue working together and formed their own group with the similar goal of writing and sharing feedback. 

Workshop members were delighted to be back together, sharing friendship, discovery, and their stories.  Our experiences are wide and diverse and as different as night and day. 

We gather together to write and share our stories, supporting and encouraging each other.  We can ask for feedback, or not.  We do not critique each other’s work.   We do not judge.  We value our connections. 

As we gather for our weekly “Write Fest” we celebrate our writing with love and support.  Each person can decide how much information they want to share.    

The Writers are able to share and publish their work in the Cheney Free Press. 

Writers have a long history of not only sharing their written words with each other but also sharing snacks during the break midway through the meeting.

There is not a designated facilitator for the group.  Whoever brings snacks on a given week, facilitates the class and in-class writing, and gives a prompt for the next week’s class. 

One can follow the prompt or write whatever needs to be written.  There is a sign-up list for who is responsible to bring snacks.  The snack sign-up list also includes the phone numbers and addresses of involved writers.  Bringing snacks is not mandatory to being part of the writers group.  We always welcome writers.  Join us on Thursday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Cheney Free Press.