Time: July 10-Aug 14 (6 weeks), Thursdays 7-9 PM

Host: Elvi :D

Location: 2301 Scarff St (my living room!)

Tuition: Pay what you can! Sliding scale of $20 - $35 (about $3 a session) for a membership :)

Sign up here: Write Nights (Summer Session) · Luma

Questions? Email me: ellu@usc.edu

Workshop Description

This workshop is for the secret bloggers, the journalers, and people who just kinda miss their high school english class.

How we designed the experience

This workshop occurs at a weekly cadence so you get the chance to see people regularly and build relationships with your classmates. It’s made to be flexible, so if you miss a week it’ll still make sense!

The writing workshop consists of 2 core activities:

1. The Page Exchange: Before class, students submit pieces that they’ve written. From substack articles, to unpolished prompt responses, to a story they whipped up in 40 minutes. We do a group quiet-read, and then move to a freeform discussion. This practice creates a safe space to share your ideas, and the unique opportunity to chat about a piece with the writer, who is sitting right in the room! Page exchanges begin week 2 of class, after people have had a chance to get writing practice in.
2. Writing Prompts: At the end of each class, I provide 3 writing prompts that are designed to get you writing and thinking! Students choose their favorite and send responses under a group slack.

No homework, no exams, just a good writing routine with good people!

Core Materials

• Laptop (to write on)
• your favorite pen :)

Instructor Bio

Hi! I’m elvira :) I have a love for personal writing in public and private. From January 2025, I maintained a personal journal while publishing a Substack newsletter to my close friends. This is how I understood my experienced and communicated them in a time of significant change. I’m now experimenting with more public posting.

I am in not a guru— and that’s why I’m a host rather than an instructor! A gym buddy rather than a personal trainer. Your greatest resource will be your interaction with your peers. I’m here to make a space and provide resources to work on this muscle together!

I’ve been running this workshop since June and I’m excited to host you in my living room

Schedule:

Week 1: Getting started with personal writing

• 7:30 - 8:00 Short intro, understanding your writing, dissolving some fears around personal writing, and doing the hardest part: starting to write
• 8:00-9:00 Heads down writing time!

Week 2-8

• 7:30-8:30 Page Exchange
• 8:30-9:00 Freewrite