creative writing groups los angeles

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8 Best Creative Writing Classes in Los Angeles

Showing 8 courses that match your search.

TV Structure for Pilot Writing

Writing Pad

In this one-day structure clinic, successful TV writer Farhan Arshad (Co-EP, FRASIER, UPLOAD, 3 Pilots) will help you apply the toolset of the scribe to root your story in a clearly defined genre, give it a rock-solid spine and compelling arcs that launch your pilot firmly into series.

Website: https://writingpad.com/classes/online-tv-structure-for-pi...

Categories: Fiction and Screenplay

Start date:

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

If you’re a self starter who’s looking for all the tools to hit the ground running or if you’re a newbie who wants to get an overview of what novel writing is all about, this is the class for you. Topics include: character, description, and dialogue.

Website: https://writingpad.com/classes/online-novel-101-class-gre...

Categories: Copywriting and Content

Open all year round

In this one-day structure clinic, TV writer Alicia Carroll will help you apply the toolset of the scribe to root your story in a clearly defined genre, give it a rock-solid spine and compelling arcs that launch your pilot firmly into series.

Website: https://writingpad.com/classes/?genre=TV%20Writing

How to Write a Novel

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Short Story I

This course provides a foundational journey into the art of short fiction, focusing on core storytelling elements such as plot, perspective, setting, and character development. Participants will engage in various exercises and assignments to develop their story ideas, with the goal of drafting and revising a short story. Suitable for aspiring writers, the course is offered both in-person and online, spanning 10 weeks with a limited enrollment to ensure personalized guidance​​​​​​​​​​.

Website: https://www.uclaextension.edu/writing-journalism/creative...

Categories: Short Story

The 90-day Screenplay Workshop

L.A Writers' Lab

Alan Watt's 90-Day Screenplay workshop is a live Zoom course that takes you from concept to finished screenplay in 90 days. The 14-week workshop includes craft lessons, film clips, and writing exercises. Daily guidance letters and optional one-on-one story consultations (at an additional cost) are also offered​​​​​​​​​​.

Website: https://lawriterslab.com/online-writing-classes/90-day-sc...

Categories: Screenplay

The 90-day Memoir Writing Workshop

Taught by Alan Watt, this live Zoom workshop takes you from the initial idea to the completion of your memoir's first draft in 90 days. Meetings occur weekly on Thursdays for 14 weeks, combining craft lessons and writing exercises. Participants are expected to make a financial commitment, with a suggested donation of $1,500 and a minimum of $750.

Website: https://lawriterslab.com/online-writing-classes/90-day-me...

Categories: Memoir

The 90-day Novel Writing Workshop

This engaging 90-day live Zoom workshop, led by Alan Watt, guides you from the initial idea to the first draft of your novel. Meeting weekly for 14 weeks, it combines craft lessons with writing exercises. Daily letters provide further guidance, and recorded sessions are available for three weeks​​​​​​​​​​​​.

Website: https://lawriterslab.com/online-writing-classes/90-day-no...

Categories: Book

Creative Writing Workshop - All Genre

LA Writers Group

Engage in our weekly generative creative writing workshops, open to writers of all genres and skill levels. These workshops are hands-on, focusing directly on writing, with prompts inspired by various themes, educational aspects, craftsmanship, or creative exploration.

Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creative-writing-workshop-al...

Categories: Fiction, Essay, Poetry, Nonfiction, Short Story, and Book

So you’re looking for creative writing classes in Los Angeles

Los Angeles isn’t just a Hollywood sign. It’s also a city brimming with stories, from shows for the silver screen to the books that we read on paper on the subway. As author Mike Sonksen once said, “The world is a suburb of Los Angeles”—so if you’re trying to sharpen your storytelling skills, you can’t go wrong by taking a creative writing class in Los Angeles.

This directory of the best writing courses in Los Angeles is meant to help you locate the right one for yourself.  We’ve included filters for price and genre so that you can quickly sort through the writing classes. And before you commit to any one writing class, consider the following questions:

• Who is the instructor?
• What is the price of the writing course?
• How far away is the writing course in Los Angeles? Is there a remote alternative?
• How long could the course last?

Got any questions about finding the right writing class in Los Angeles for you? Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] . Good luck!

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Creative Writing Coach

Coach for writers, a little support goes a long way..

Every writer struggles, but you don’t have to struggle alone. Working with a creative writing coach can help you get past blocks, be more productive, and proceed with confidence. Some writers who stop writing aren’t aware of why they stopped. A creative writing coach can help you discover the reason and help you move forward.

I specialize in helping writers write their first draft. I help with scene structure and composition, story structure, character development, and most importantly, I help them manage their expectations when it comes to getting through a first draft.

With a Creative Writing Coach, you can:

– Get unstuck and start writing again

– Learn to set reasonable, workable goals

– Learn which tools of the craft you’re missing such as structure, elements of scene writing, character arc/development, etc.

– Accountability

– Conquer creative blocks

– Understand why you feel your writing isn’t working

– Learn to move past fears

– Improve your scene-writing skills

– Gain confidence

– Cope with anxieties surrounding your writing

– Learn to quiet your inner critic

– Help with character development and structure

Book a free discovery session so we can find out if we’ll be a good fit for each other. We can work together in person or online.

When you finish your first draft, I send you off with a rewrite plan. I can support you through this process as well if you wish.

Coaching Packages

I have coaching packages to fit varied budgets. 

Other Services:

For people who have a draft and want a full edit of a novel, memoir, short story, or screenplay, I ask that you schedule a consultation with me first, because often coaching can be a more productive and less expensive option. There are many different kinds of editors (developmental editors, line editors, copy editors, proofreaders, and ghost editors) and I can help you find the right editor for your project. We work with novels, memoirs, nonfiction, short stories, screenplays, and even stage plays.

If you want someone to read your book, and only give general notes—as opposed to detailed scene or line edits—or to give you direction for your rewrite, we charge an hourly rate for this.

Testimonials

12/08/17 – “I came in with a completed first draft that was in dire need of rewriting. I was dreading the re-write process, and didn’t even know where to start. With the guidance of Nicole, I have been able to develop my rewriting and editing skills over the last year. I can read one of my scenes and analyze what needs to done: does it need more texture? Is this flashback working? does the dialogue match the character? I am able to trust my instincts much more because Nicole gave me the tools I needed. “When it comes to developing characters and storyline, Nicole helped me create actionable ideas and solutions to holes in my story. I now have a clear line I’m following from A to B to C. I’ll continue following it as I finish my second draft – hopefully in early 2018. Thanks Nicole!” Allyson R.

2/22/17 – This is the best writing organization you will find!! I’m from Michigan and contacted Nicole about private coaching in 2015. Our first meeting/consultation was incredible. I felt like we had been friends in a past life. Nicole is genuine and is truly an expert in the craft. We met via “Zoom” during our sessions, and she allowed me enough time to finish my edits and set up a meeting when I was ready. In terms of experience, she meets you where you are. She listens and edits carefully to fully understand what you need to do in order to move forward. In the sessions, we had a dialogue. She was not preaching to me or lecturing. Her unique ability to explain and teach helped me retain the information she gave me. I was self-taught until I met Nicole. She helped transform my writing in ways I cannot describe. I am proud to say that in 2016 I published a chapter Nicole helped me edit from my upcoming novel for an impromptu reading. The feedback I received from the audience was magical. Word has spread, and friends are still asking for copies. As writers, it is up to us to put our best foot forward and own our craft. Nicole helped me find that confidence and own it. Not only does she teach, she believes in you. And to me, that is greater than any lesson someone can offer. I would recommend LA Writers Group to any writer serious about the art. (I brag about the organization every chance I get) Nicole S.

3/22/16 – “Since I began working with Nicole, she’s provided valuable coaching and feedback every time we’ve met. I came to Nicole with a few ideas scrawled into a Moleskine notebook, and six months later, I proudly printed out the first draft of my 400-page manuscript. With her guidance, I’ve been able to propel my story, characters, and prose to a level I could not have achieved on my own. I cannot recommend working with her highly enough!” Christian U.

9/21/16 – “Nicole understands that working with writers doesn’t just involve talking about their project.  She has the rare and brilliant skill of sensing what is really at the root of slowing a writer down and is more than willing to get into the messy and seemingly “unrelated” discussions that surround every writer’s process.  Working with her for these past three months has enabled me to minimize the confusion and frustration that always arises in the writing process and get back to making progress on my book faster.  Instead of spending days of energy in emotional defeat, I spend an hour on the phone with Nicole and find my way back to the work at hand before evening time.  She is a miracle worker, and her diagnostic skills are up there with rocket scientists.  I’m not exaggerating.  She’s brilliant. Few people in the world have as much passion and grace when it comes to teaching the craft of writing. She also has an awe-inspiring ability to work with a widely diverse range of writers and personalities. Working with Nicole was the best investment in myself and my writing aspirations I could make.” Jess H.

Your future won’t change until you make a change right now. Take the first step today

About the coaches, nicole criona.

Number of clients who’ve completed drafts: 40

Coaching Stats:

– 40 clients have completed drafts of their book.

– Thanked in 5 books.

– 5 clients are currently seeking representation.

– 1 currently being considered by agents.

– 2 currently have representation

– 2 clients sold their books to traditional publishers (Due out Summer 2021)

Specialties :

– Developmental Editing and First-Draft Coaching for Fiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, & Screenplays

– Creativity Coaching

– Productivity Coaching

– Scene Improvement

– Structure

– Writer’s blocks

Nicole Criona, a native Angeleno, is the current owner and co-founder of Los Angeles Writers Group (founded in 2003). She specializes in Developmental Editing and coaching fiction writers, nonfiction writers, and screenwriters who want to complete their first draft and has helped many writers finish drafts.

For more than fifteen years, she’s facilitated creative writing workshops and supported aspiring writers working on novels, screenplays, short stories, poetry, essays, and memoirs. She also runs the day-to-day operations of LAwritersgroup.com, leads several  creative writing workshops in Los Angeles, San Diego, and online , coaching groups , and specializes in  coaching writers  who want to complete their first draft.

Nicole has helped more than 35 writers finish their first book draft, has been thanked in four books (so far!) and has three clients who are currently being considered by agents. Her newest program, 100 Days of Writing, was designed by Nicole, and she also authored the successful Get Writing Again in 15 Days  email course.

While Nicole focuses mostly on helping writers, Nicole’s writing credits include poetry and fiction on Hissquarterly.com (Sanity is a One-Trick Pony issue), Strongverse.org, Six Sentences, and Narrative Magazine , among others. She is currently working on a novel and a non-fiction book.  Read Nicole’s most recently published poem, Advice to an Angel About to Fall . She has also worked as a freelance writer.

Resa Alboher

– Writing coaching across genre and at all levels (beginner- professional) for literary fiction, memoir, Sci-fi/Fantasy, Romance, New Adult, Young Adult, Middle School, Picture Books, general/creative non-fiction, essay, journalism, blogging, screenplay, writing for theatre, television writing, notebook writing, journaling, spiritual writing

– Beginner’s Writing Coaching (for those who want to learn to write, or have been away from writing for a long time)

– Writer’s Block coaching

– Editing services including reads, manuscript consults, critiques, developmental edits, and line/copy edits

• Submission research

Resa Alboher is one of the founding editors of St. Petersburg Review. She is also a Springhouse Journal editorial board member, a book scout, and a book coach/manuscript consultant.

She’s a writer across genre whose publications include Roads & Kingdoms, Cosmonauts Avenue, Scapegoat Review, Black Heart Magazine, Rewire Me, Mango Salute, Have an NYC 2, Maintenant 5, and Radar Productions. She has books of fiction, essays and poems in the works and a few screenplays hidden in the wings. She is s a passionate, energetic, kind and patient writing teacher and a long-time traveler with perpetual culture shock who lived twenty years in Russia where she worked with the legendary Summer Literary Seminars St. Petersburg and taught American Writing at the Humanities University in Moscow. She is in a kind of equivalent culture shock (but also a kind of cultural excitement) now that she is living back here in her native Los Angeles after so many years wandering the globe and discovering the vibrancy of LA anew.

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15 Top Writing Classes in Los Angeles

By Katrina Kwan

Are you a writer based in LA ?

Are you thinking about taking a writing workshop to help develop your skills?

Below we’ve featured 15 top writing classes in Los Angeles.

1. First-Draft Incubator 2.0 with Nicole Criona (LA Writers Group)

The Los Angeles Writers Group (LAWG) was founded in 2003 by Nicole Criona and Sanora Bartels with the express aim to provide writers with a community of support and feedback along their creative writing journey. LAWG offers several writing workshops, as well as private and group coaching for more intensive, personalized training. The team at LAWG offers both in-person and online workshops to help their writers learn and grow, regardless of location or time restrictions.

Their workshop, First-Drive Incubator 2.0 , is led by Nicole Criona, who has over 15 years of experience assisting writers on novels, screenplays, short stories, poetry, essays, and memoirs. As a specialist in developmental editing and author coaching, Nicole is also a fellow writer and veteran of the publishing industry. This course that she offers includes 2 hours per month of private coaching, two monthly online meetings on the 2 nd and 4 th Tuesday of every month, a 10% discount on private coaching, and a 20% discount on other workshops, retreats, and online writing challenges.

First-Draft Incubator 2.0 can help you set reasonable goals, finish your book, learn tools of the trade to assist with outlining, writing scenes, character development, and so much more. For those interested, but require no coaching, the class costs $255 monthly. For existing students or former coaching clients, the course costs $195 per month. If you’re a writer who’s interested in taking the online courses only, it costs $125 per month. For more information, you can contact the team at LAWG via email or call (323) 963-3180 during regular business hours.

2. Making a Scene with Elizabeth L. Silver (Writing Workshops Los Angeles)

Writing Workshops Los Angeles (WWLA) is undoubtedly a leading authority when it comes to helping writers broaden their horizons and sharpen their creative writing skills. Originally founded by Edan Lepucki, they offer a multitude of different classes from fiction writing, nonfiction writing, poetry workshops, and more. WWLA’s talented faculty have published titles like “The Education of Margot Sanchez” by Lilliam Rivera, “Grace and the Fever” by Zan Romanoff, and Neon Green” by Margaret Wappler.

They are currently offering a memoir writing workshop called Making a Scene: How to Craft the Most Powerful Scene in Your Memoir . This class is being taught by Elizabeth L. Silver, the author of memoir “The Tincture of Time: A Parent’s Memoir of (Medical) Uncertainty.” The class takes place on March 30 th , 2019 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. This class will help any aspiring memoirist to focus writing on important, high-impact scenes to really help bring your memories to life.

Enrollment to this class is limited to eight students only, so if you’re interested in taking part, be sure to sign up as soon as possible. Class enrollment for new students is $130, and only $120 for returning students of the WWLA. This particular writing class will be hosted in Encino, about a 25-minute drive from downtown LA. Light snacks, coffee, and sparkling water will be provided. For more information, you can contact the team at WWLA via email .

3. Short Story Writing Workshop with Abigail Ulman (Writing Pad)

Writing Pad was founded by writers Marilyn Friedman and Jeff Bernstein in the hopes of helping writers gain the most of their writing experience. With several locations throughout Los Angeles, Writing Pad offers an assortment of different classes for different kinds of writers. Whether you’re interested in nonfiction writing, creative fiction, screenwriting, or TV writing, Writing Pad definitely has a class to offer you.

They are currently offering Short Story 1 , a short story writing workshop taught by Abigail Ulman. Abigail is the author of “Hot Little Hands,” and was recently a Wallace Stegner Fellow in Fiction at Stanford University. In this class, she hopes to help you with the essential elements of fiction writing, including productive outlining, plot mapping, character, plot, change, and point out mistakes that are all too common amongst inexperienced writers.

Short Story 1 is a 5-week program being hosted May 22 nd , May 29 th , Jun 5 th , June 12 th , and June 19 th from 7:30pm to 10:30pm at Writing Pad’s LA-East location. There are only four spots left, so it’s imperative that you sign up quickly before space runs out! The cost for this extensive 5-week course is $425 per person. One of the great things about Writing Pad is they also accept course payments in installments! For more information, you can contact the team at Writing Pad either via email or call (213) 325-6910.

4. Write Fiction Like A Pro with Steve Alcorn (LA County Library)

The LA County Library is a great resource for aspiring authors looking to get a leg-up in their writing careers. The LA County Library offers free writing classes through Gale Courses, so if you’re a library card holder, this is definitely a service you should try and take advantage of! Gale Courses currently offers several creative writing classes, including Writing Fiction Like A Pro with Steve Alcorn.

Steve Alcorn is a published author of both fiction and nonfiction. Over the past 10 years, he has helped more than 300,000 students develop their ideas into full stories. Many of his former students have even gone on to write and publish their own novels. He has written titles like “A Matter of Justice,” “Everything in Its Path” and the children’s storybook, “Molly Builds a Theme Park.”

Write Fiction Like A Pro will go over story structure, dramatic elements, the development of character, story ideas, outlining, plotting, and more. This is a six-week program that has several different starting dates: March 13 th , April 17 th , May 15 th , and June 12 th . There are no requirements to enter this program, although you should at least have a working PC or Mac device you can use with an up-to-date writing software. As mentioned before, this course is free to all LA County Library patrons, so be sure to enroll now !

5. Six-Week Writing Workshop with Jonathan Blum

Jonathan Blum is the author of “Last Word” and “The Usual Uncertainties.” After having graduated from UCLA and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, Jonathan resettled in Los Angeles and now offers an assortment of writing classes. He is currently offering a six-week long fiction writing workshop with a limited class size of 10 students. In this course, he helps his students workshop short stories and novel excerpts up to 20 pages to help in structure, characterization, and language.

This course runs twice a year, once in the spring between March 31 st to May 5 th , and once in the fall between September 22 nd to October 27 th . All classes take place on Sundays between 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The course fee is $575 per person. Alternatively, Jonathan offers a two-month intensive workshop for writers that not only assists with a 20-page story workshop, but case studies of select published fiction. This course goes for $720 per person, and the class is again limited to 10 students. For more information, you can contact Jonathan directly through his website’s online contact form .

6. WriteGirl Writing Workshops by WriteGirl

WriteGirl is a program honored by First Lady Michelle Obama and the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award. This fantastic program offers young girls the opportunity to explore the realm of creative writing and hopefully nurture their imagination and self-confidence. This Los Angeles-based organization offers dozens of writing workshops, panel discussions, and special events. Their up coming panel, Lights, America, WriteGirl! features speakers like Lauren Graham, Seth Rogan, Stephanie Katherine Grant, and Keiko Agena.

WriteGirl offers writing workshops from September all the way through June to cover topics about poetry, songwriting, journalism, screenwriting, creative nonfiction, and fiction. They just recently wrapped up their Character & Dialogue Workshop at the Linwood Dunn Theater at The Academy, Hollywood. For a full list of their upcoming events, click here . If you’re a young writer interested in this program, simply contact the team at WriteGirl via email or call (213) 253-2655 to see about getting involved.

7. Creative Writing Workshop by Writopia Lab

Writopia Lab is another great resource for young writers hoping to develop their writing skills. Writopia Lab offers a wide range of writing classes in the hopes of promoting literacy and critical thinking in children and teens. They currently offer half-day creative writing workshops in the Los Angeles Metro area. They offer creative writing workshops, classes for screenwriting, memoirs, narrative therapy, language play, graphic novels, and so much more!

You’re strongly encouraged to check out their class availability to check out the time, date, and age group for each class. Fees for half-day writing classes start at $595 per attendant. They also offer full-day writing camps during summer break and school-year breaks, with fees starting at $880 for one whole week. For more information, you can contact the team at Writopia Lab via email or call (323) 761-0453.

8. The Veterans Writing Project by The Writers Guild Foundation

The Writers Guild Foundation offers a unique writing class intended specifically for veterans. Their Veterans Writing Project helps individuals with military backgrounds to nurture and develop a passion for writing that can help them transition from their life of service. This is a year-long project that offers a weekend-long writing retreat, and a monthly follow-up with workshops and other special events.

The program’s application window to apply for the 2019-2020 year is now closed, but you’re strongly encouraged to subscribe to the Writer Guild Foundation’s email list to receive updates and to learn when the application window reopens. This program is completely free and accepts up to 50 veterans every year to participate. For more information, you can contact the Writers Guild Foundation via email or call (323) 782-4692.

9. Professional Screenwriting and Television Writing Workshop with Corey Mandell

Fiction and nonfiction writing aren’t the only avenues authors can explore when it comes to their literary creativity. Corey Mandell is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter who has worked on projects with Ridley Scott, Harrison Ford, Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts, John Travolta, the Warner Brothers, Universal, 20 th Century Fox, Walt Disney Pictures, and more! He offers both author coaching and script consultations to interested writers.

Corey currently offers a Professional Screenwriting and Television Writing workshop for writers living in Los Angeles. His class is also offered through multi-video conference technology, so it’s actually available to students around the world. The class costs $595 per person and spans a total of 8 weeks. The course goes over narrative intensity, organic escalations, clarity, efficiency, high-impact pacing, and more. For more information, you can contact Corey directly via email .

10. Sketch Level 1 Intensive: Intro to Sketch Writing with Anna Cecilia

The best comedians know that the best rib-ticklers come about thanks to a great sense of improvisation and a keen storytelling ability. The Improve Space is a Los Angeles-based performance school that offers a wide range of workshops to help comedy writers focus on building industry relationships, help with character development, and storytelling skills. This non-profit organization is located near UCLA and offers a safe place for actors and writers alike to nurture their imagination.

They have a long list of classes that are coming soon, including Sketch Level 1 Intensive: Intro to Sketch Writing led by Anna Cecilia. Anna herself is a sketch comedy writer, performer, and director who graduated from Harvard University. The class itself offers four intensive classes and a table read to showcase your brilliant work. Enrollment is now open, and only costs $199 per person. If you’re interested in this class, you can contact The Improv Space through their website’s online contact form to apply or request more information.

11. UCLA Extension Writer’s Program

The University of California Los Angeles’ Extension offers a fantastic writer’s program for those determined to refine their skills and prepare for a long and successful career in the industry. Widely regarded as one of the best writing programs Los Angeles has to offer, UCLA Extension offers classes for the basics of writing, fiction (for beginner, intermediate, and advanced writers), creative nonfiction (for beginner, intermediate, and advanced writers), writing for young readers, poetry, and editing and publishing courses. They also offer classes for screenwriting (both TV and film).

They are currently offering a Master Class in Novel Writing taught by Alyx Dellamonica, author of the award-winning “The Town on Blighted Sea.” This class is just one of many that you can apply for, and has a registration fee of $3860 payable upon program acceptance. It is a 30 week master-level course limited to 8 students only. Not only does it include a guaranteed entry into the James Kirkwood Literary Awards competition, but your work during the course will be considered by a literary agent upon course completion.

There are several ways to enroll into the Writer’s Program, the primary methods being either online , by phone (call 1-800-825-9971), or in person (visit the UCLA Extension Temporary Registration Office on the 1 st floor at Gayley Center at 1145 Gayley Avenue). An estimated breakdown for the program’s tuition comes to roughly $5400. You’re strongly encouraged to check out the program’s information section here .

12. One Person Show Workshop with Anne Marie Scheffler (The Second City)

The Second City is an organization that was founded in 1959 by Bernie Sahlins, Howard Alk, and Paul Sills with the aim to make big waves in the entertainment industry. Among other things, Second City offers writing workshops at their Hollywood location like their Satirical Writing Intensive and their One Person Show Workshop , currently led by Anne Marie Scheffler.

Anne Marie Scheffler is a critically acclaimed solo performer who has won several credits and awards for her writing and acting. Through this workshop, she hopes to help you take advantage of your unique voice and put it to work. One Person Show Workshop 1 is offered in a 2-day intensive starting at $200, or a 5-day course with a 1-day showcase performance for $585. Classes are available between April 8 th to April 12 th , Monday to Friday from 11:00am to 4:00pm. If you’re interested in this writing class, you can enroll here .

13. Master Class with Alan Watt (LA Writer’s Lab)

The LA Writer’s Lab was founded by Alan Watt, the author of “The 90-Day Novel” and “The 90-Day Screenplay.” Alan founded LA Writer’s Lab back in 2002 to provide a place for writers to better develop their craft and ability to tell a story. Alan himself has worked as the writer and director of the award-winning film Interior Night , so he definitely can teach aspiring writers a thing or two about how to apply their skills to their unique stories.

Alan is currently offering a Master Class in writing intended for writers hoping to complete their projects for publication or production. The class takes place over 12 weeks and costs a total of $1150 ($575 upon registration, and $575 upon the 5 th class). This class is limited to 8 students per semester and takes place on Saturdays between 10:15am to 1:15PM. Due to the small class sizes, you’re strongly encouraged to register as soon as possible to reserve your spot.

14. Organizing Your Writing with Scrivener by Neelanjana Banerjee (Writing Workshops LA)

Writing your story is one thing, but learning how to organize your ideas effectively is another. WWLA offers a class called Organizing Your Writing with Scrivener , hosted by Neelanjana Banerjee. The class takes place April 6 th and April 20 th between 11:00am to 1:00pm. The best part? It takes place online! For writers based in Los Angeles, or anywhere beyond, this means you can take part in a memorable and helpful learning experience regardless of your location.

Neelanjana is a successful author of short stories, poetry, and essays, which have been featured in Prairie Schooner, PANK, The Liner, and World Literature Today . Through this class, she hopes to help authors through their drafting stages and to help organize their notes through the well-known and industry-wide used tool Scrivener. The class is limited to 8 students only and costs $130 for new students, $120 for returning WWLA students. For more information, you can contact the team at WWLA via email .

15. Memorable Memoir Workshop with Wendy Lawless (Writing Pad)

Another fantastic class offered by Writing Pad includes Memorable Memoir Workshop with Wendy Lawless. The class takes place for seven Saturdays (June 1 st , June 8 th , June 15 th , June 22 nd , July 13 th , July 20 th , and July 27 th ) between 11:00am to 1:00pm. There are only two spots left in this course, so be sure to apply if you’re interested! The class itself costs $425 per person.

Wendy Lawless is a two-time New York Times bestselling author who specializes in memoirs. She’s written “Chanel Bonfire” and “Heart of Glass,” both critically acclaimed memoirs! Through this class, Wendy hopes to teach her students about how to craft an emotional journey that’s both vivid in detail and compelling for your readers. You can even bring in up to 1200 words to every other class to receive helpful feedback from both Wendy and your classmates. For more information, you can call the team at Writing Pad at (213) 325-6910 or send them an email .

Are you aware of any other writing classes in Los Angeles? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!

K. Z. Kwan is a freelance writer based out of Halifax, Canada.

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Downtown Los Angeles Places Another Big Bet on the Arts

The pandemic was tough on city centers and cultural institutions. What does that mean for Los Angeles, whose downtown depends on the arts?

By Robin Pogrebin

Reporting from Los Angeles

For decades the effort to revitalize downtown Los Angeles has been tied to arts projects, from the construction of the midcentury modern Music Center in 1964 to the addition of Frank Gehry’s soaring stainless steel Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2003.

But the pandemic was tough on downtowns and cultural institutions around the country, and Los Angeles has been no exception.

Its downtown office vacancy rates climbed above 25 percent . Storefronts are empty. Homelessness and crime remain concerns. Many arts organizations have yet to recover their prepandemic audiences. And there have been vivid displays of the area’s thwarted ambitions: Graffiti artists covered three abandoned skyscrapers just before the Grammy Awards were held across the street at the Crypto.com Arena, and some lights on the acclaimed new Sixth Street Viaduct were doused after thieves stole the copper wire.

So it was a major vote of confidence in the area’s continuing promise when the Broad , the popular contemporary art museum that opened across the street from Disney Hall in 2015, announced last month that it was about to begin a $100 million expansion .

And it was very much a continuation of the vision of its founder, Eli Broad, the businessman and philanthropist who played a key role in the effort to create a center of gravity in a famously spread-out city by transforming Grand Avenue into a cultural hub. Broad, who died in 2021 , helped to establish the Museum of Contemporary Art and get Disney Hall built before opening the Broad to house his own art collection.

“As Eli said — and he said this when really almost no one agreed with him — downtown L.A. is the center and this region needs a cultural center,” said Joanne Heyler, the founding director and chief curator of the Broad. “He was right. At least our experience and our audience proves that point.”

The Broad — which offers free admission — says its attendance has recovered to prepandemic levels, as does the Los Angeles Philharmonic, which says it is once again averaging 89 percent attendance.

But other presenters have struggled. Last summer, Center Theater Group suspended productions at one of its three stages, the 736-seat Mark Taper Forum at the Music Center complex, citing financial woes.

“It’s no secret that many art institutions critical to the downtown Los Angeles arts ecology are continuing to face hardship,” Hilda L. Solis, the Los Angeles County Supervisor who represents the Grand Avenue stretch of Bunker Hill and the nearby Arts District, said in an email. “But despite the setbacks, this field is resilient. Artists and organizations in the area are finding ways to pivot in an effort to reconnect with Angelenos.”

They are also working to lure audiences back downtown at a moment when office vacancy is up and hotel occupancy is down. “It feels a little hollowed out,” said Christopher Koelsch, the president and chief executive of the Los Angeles Opera, adding that “it is much harder to sell our midweek performances than it used to be.”

The opera is projecting that attendance will reach 75 percent of capacity this season, an improvement over the last few years but still down from the 83 percent attendance it had during the last full season before the pandemic.

Traffic congestion remains another hurdle to getting people to travel downtown, and some galleries and arts organization have been expanding into other areas to meet people where they are.

The galleries Hauser & Wirth and François Ghebaly , which have spaces downtown, both recently added locations in West Hollywood. And while the L.A. Dance Project is expanding its downtown studio and performance space, doubling its seating capacity, it also just entered an agreement to perform regularly at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills.

The galleries say that they are not giving up on downtown. “They both complement each other,” said Stacen Berg, partner and executive director of Hauser & Wirth in Los Angeles, referring to her gallery’s two locations. “West Hollywood is a more trafficked area — we have people pop in multiple times to see one show. Downtown serves as a destination. They make their way to come to us.”

Ghebaly said he decided to open another space in West Hollywood to give collectors the convenience of “proximity shopping.”

“The ideal way of covering a city like Los Angeles is to have several locations,” he said. “These neighborhoods are essentially different cities, cultures, identities — like island states in Greece, only instead of being separated by seas, they’re separated by freeways.”

Dealers say downtown offers an unusual degree of physical space and creative freedom. “You simply cannot see these shows anywhere else in L.A. or in New York,” said the dealer Susanne Vielmetter, who in 2019 expanded her downtown gallery and closed her Culver City location.

Hauser’s downtown space, a sprawling complex that includes a bookstore and the popular restaurant Manuela, says it drew 4,000 people to its recent opening for Jason Rhoades, Catherine Goodman and RETROaction (part two) .

Young people who live and work in the Arts District contribute to a liveliness among galleries. “People go out downtown,” said Mara McCarthy, the founder of the Box gallery, which presents contemporary art and performances. “They will go see a show over there and get a beer down here and go get ramen.”

Grand Avenue remains a case study in progress and challenges. Some hope that the recently completed development, Grand L.A. , across from Disney Hall — which was designed by Gehry and includes restaurants, shops, a hotel and residences — fulfills its promise. Just a few blocks away another hotel, the L.A. Grand Hotel, is being used to house the homeless .

“Downtown is stalled,” said Richard Koshalek, a former director of the Museum of Contemporary Art who also led the committee that selected Gehry for Disney Hall. “There should be a commitment to a visionary plan.”

There have been signs of attention from government officials.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last month that his administration would push to expedite construction of a $2-billion, 7.6-acre residential and commercial development called Fourth & Central, which bills itself as “the New Gateway to DTLA.” And Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles has continued to work to address the homeless crisis . And the City Council approved nearly $4 million to remove the graffiti on the abandoned skyscrapers and secure the buildings.

Mark Falcone, the founder and chief executive of Continuum Partners, which is developing Fourth & Central, said that “at the moment, there is the perception that there is more risk in L.A. and San Francisco than there was five years ago” but that he remains “very bullish” on downtown’s prospects.

“We believe cultural enterprises are the things that give a community more long-term resilience and stability than anything else,” he said.

Arts administrators are making plans too. The Mark Taper has begun to offer some programming again ( a return of Alex Edelman’s one-man show and a Michael Feinstein concert ) and plans to announce a new season that its artistic director, Snehal Desai , says will focus heavily on weekends to accommodate the weakness in weekday attendance.

“The pandemic accelerated some of the trends that were already going on,” said Rachel S. Moore, the Music Center’s president and chief executive. “People are much more selective about what they’re seeing, but things that are super popular are super popular.”

The Broad recently hit the highest daily attendance in its history: 6,200 visitors on March 30. (By way of comparison, the nearby Museum of Contemporary Art said its attendance was 1,985 that day.) “There was a feeling in the beginning that downtown was in mothballs,” Heyler, its director, said. “We’ve emerged from that moment fully.”

In another promising development, the Colburn School for music and dance just broke ground on a Gehry-designed expansion to its downtown campus that will include a 1,000-seat concert hall.

“There is a need for a medium-size venue in the heart of the cultural district,” said Sel Kardan, the school’s chief executive and president, adding that he hoped the stage would be used during the upcoming Olympics.

And the Los Angeles tourism board has focused its latest — and largest — ad campaign on art and culture. “Most people don’t know that Los Angeles is now home to the most museums and performing arts venues in the country,” said Adam Burke, the board’s president and chief executive.

A few businesses have recently put down roots downtown, including ​​Spotify, which opened a sprawling new campus in the Arts District, and Warner Music Group, which moved into a new five-story building on Santa Fe Avenue. The Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, is planning to offer corporate memberships to try to leverage this new crop of executives, Anne Ellegood, the executive director, said, adding that the museum is “thinking a lot about what we can do to bring artists back to the neighborhood.

“Everyone in the cultural sector,” she said, “has to be thinking about how to ensure that artists stay in L.A.”

Robin Pogrebin , who has been a reporter for The Times for nearly 30 years, covers arts and culture in California. More about Robin Pogrebin