Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Karin Adams' One Week Writing Workshop offers a structured, seven-day approach to story writing. It includes daily warmups and core exercises to enhance skills, stimulate creativity, and tackle writer's block. Writers can either start a new project or refine an existing one, with a focus on idea generation, plot development, and storyboarding. For example, day four highlights the plot with a mini storyboard; and Adams' workshop leans into the importance of the writing process over the end product. Techniques such as brainstorming, "Writer’s Walks," and using sensory elements like music are employed to boost creativity. Readers are taught about building characters by writing detailed biographies, first-person viewpoints, and visual aids; the setting is integrated with character actions, and the story world is expanded through backstories and physical models. The workshop stresses revision, advising a focus on story core, gathering feedback, and incremental improvements.
One Week Writing Workshop by Karin Adams is a wonderfully pragmatic and engaging approach to writing, making it a standout resource for both novice and seasoned writers. Adams’ own writing style within the workshop is comfortably conversational, making it accessible in how she provides a clear seven-day plan that guides readers. I think her encouragement to embrace the act of writing and experiment freely is extremely helpful and brings writers back to the joy of storytelling. The workshop excels in practical advice, such as using sensory details to bring settings to life and creating dynamic characters through innovative exercises. I personally thought the “500/500 Method” for balancing new writing with revisions to be particularly effective. Overall, with Adams' implementation of interactive elements throughout and her thoughtful strategies that foster steps and prompt proactive writing, One Week Writing Workshop is a valuable tool for anyone looking to enhance their craft and stay inspired. Very highly recommended.