The Writing Lab

Do you feel like you have something important to
say but are struggling to find the words?

Could you use a safe place to test out your ideas before
you share them with the entire world?

Announcing the Writing Lab.

The Writing Lab is based on the simple premise that the even the sharpest sword can’t sharpen itself: we need others to be our whetstones. We need a safe space to test and try our ideas on an honest, supportive audience and find out how to communicate our ideas in clearer, fresher and stickier ways.

The Writing Lab consists of bi-weekly workshop meetings with a small group to share and discuss writing projects, as well as monthly one-on-one sessions with me. It is modeled on a process I have used for years to get my own writing done and make it better.

The Writing Lab is non-fiction only — it is for people who want to use the power of writing to move their business forward and become recognized as thought leaders.

My credentials: I have written for national publications, including the New York Times, and I’ve been writing my own blog for three years. I have created and launched an ebook and several other content products and written the sales copy for each. I currently consult with visionary business thinkers on content strategy. I’ve completed the National Novel Writing Month challenge two years in a row (totaling over 100,00o words so far). I also created Contentpalooza last November, a parallel challenge in which participants collectively wrote over 1 million words.

Writing is not just about generating a finished product — whether an ebook, blog post or manifesto. It’s a process through which you clarify and sharpen your ideas, find the power to inspire and persuade, and discover what you truly wish to say to the world.

About the Writing Lab

In the Writing Lab, we’ll bring peace and pleasure to the writing process, and discover the right mix of structure and spontaneity that works for you. The group will be a source of feedback for you — not in the way you may have experienced in school  — but in a way that empowers and upbuilds.

Since there will be just 4 participants, each person receives lots of quality time and attention from the group and me.

At the end of the 3-month program you will have:

• • Completed a lot of writing — either for one project or several smaller ones.
• • A regular writing practice that you enjoy and that helps keep the ideas flowing.
• • A set of powerful tools for boosting both your creativity and productivity.
• • A strategy for getting your ideas in front of your right people and tools to make it happen.

The Writing Lab is for you if:

• • You write a lot as part of your business and want to make it more engaging, interesting and persuasive.
• • You value writing as a process to explore your ideas, as well as the finished products.
• • You have an open mind and willingness to try new things.
• • You are willing to make space for your own writing and commit to bi-weekly group calls.

What you get in the Writing Lab:

• • 1 individual strategy session for 3 months (3 hours) – to provide personalized strategy and targeted advice.
• • Two 2-hour group sessions per month, for 3 months (12 hours) – to share work, get feedback and discuss process.
• • A private online forum and file-sharing space, so you can post your work and get support between meetings.
• • Individual Lab Partner pairings each month for additional accountability and support
• • Unlimited email support from me.
• • Recordings of your individual sessions

Logistical Details

Dates: The Writing Lab begins in May and lasts 3 months.

Times: To be scheduled. We’ll schedule meetings everyone can commit to.

Location: Google+ Hangout for our group meetings — free, easy to set up and fun to use (webcam required). Phone or Skype for individual sessions.

You’ll need: A good internet connection and webcam.

What do we do in the group meetings?

During our first meeting we’ll discuss our goals and process and learn how to give constructive feedback for the rest of the Lab. Most of us have rarely had the kind of honest, non-judgmental feedback that we will learn in this program. This is not about “good” and “bad” writing, only about how others receive and respond to your words.

For the rest of the Lab meetings, we’ll warm up with a 10-minute freewriting exercise with the option to share it. Then each Lab Partner will have 15-20 minutes to read and get feedback on a piece of writing. When appropriate, I will supplement our meetings with information, tools and support on a topic that is pertinent to our group.

You’ll leave the group with clear next steps to move your project forward, and we’ll refine these in our individual sessions.

How to join

First, please complete the application below. I’ll get in touch within two business days to set up a no-strings-attached phone conversation so we can go over questions and just discuss how the Writing Lab can support your goals. If we agree that it’s a good fit for you, we’ll get you registered and connected with the rest of the Lab partners.

Guarantees:

The Writing Lab is a safe, confidential place. We tell the truth, compassionately. It is a place to test, try and explore — there are no grades and no judgements. All I ask is that you show up with something to read every two weeks and see what happens.

At the conclusion of the Writing Lab:

• • You’ll have a much stronger writing voice that inspires your readers.
• • You’ll be excited about your writing and renewed confidence as a writer.
• • You’ll understand that the way most of us learned to write is backwards, and how to know when you need your “writing brain” and when “editing brain” is called for.
• • You will write with ease most of the time, and when you don’t, you’ll know how to gently deal with the stuck places.
• • You’ll feel sure of your message and your convictions, which will empower your writing.
• • You’ll see writing as a way to explore what you think before you know what that is, not just the other way around.

[Kelly and I] had an immediate affinity for good ideas developed with flair, strong editing and design, and innovations in the world of publishing. I’ve now had a chance to work directly with Kelly on several projects where I’ve seen her jump in and help shape and produce finished work on deadline and without drama. Her smart questions, strong sense of trends, clear assessments and recommendations, and great sense of story as well as how-tos has made her a go-to resource for my publishing and strategy consulting business. Plus, she’s a great writer whose products and blog posts can inspire everyone who cares about sharing their important work. – Janet Goldstein, Publishing & Strategy Consultant, co-author of It’s Not About the Coffee, and co-founder of Book Breakthrough NYC

I have always considered myself to be a decent writer, but when it came to writing a book, I realized I had a lot to learn.  The process did not flow naturally for me and I ended up writing and re-writing in circles.  Kelly was able to take the frustration out of the writing process for me, she helped me shape my ideas and tie together concepts in a way that I just could not seem to accomplish on my own.  She has not only helped me save time and write better, but she has also allowed me to develop content that I am proud of and believe in.  I am excited about writing again and I am thankful to her for helping to get me back to that place. – Kelly Keenan, branding and marketing consultant and author of the forthcoming book The Brand Messenger.

Application

In order to make sure we end up with a committed, compatible group, I’m taking applications for the Writing Lab. A submitted application holds your spot — first come, first considered — until we have our phone consultation and agree that it’s a perfect fit. I will get back to you within two business days to answer any questions and schedule our call. It’s totally OK to submit the form even if you still have questions, this is not a commitment to register for the program.

The first Writing Lab (May-July) is currently full.

If you’d like to be added to the waiting list for the next Writing Lab (September-November) please submit your application below.

I am excited to see what the future holds for you and how writing can help make your dreams come true.

It would be an honor to support you on this journey.

— Kelly

*Refund policy: All product purchases come with a 30-day money back guarantee. If you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, you may contact k@kellykingmanmedia.com for a full refund.