Praise for Lesléa's workshop

  "Lesléa drew writing from us that we didn't know was there." 

"Lesléa is a passionate author, rich with humor and integrity and willing to guide others in the process of finding their own unique voice." 

"Lesléa helped to open a floodgate of words. With her prompting, my writing seemed to flow onto the page." 

"I came all the way from Los Angeles for Lesléa's workshop in 2003. It was worth every penny, and then some!! I will definitely do it again—and again!" 

"The Retreat last summer with Lesléa Newman created two alarmingly effective venues for inspiration---1) writing exercises that could either be personal or applied to works-in-progress, and 2) on-going small groups that gave immediate and enthusiastic feedback to the new creations. I was overjoyed with the scenes that popped out for my new novel and with the encouragement and enthusiasm from my group." 

"Lesléa did a great job allowing us to channel the elements of good storytelling through the eyes and emotions of our own characters. I look forward to expanding on the excellent framework of craft and work group rapport she helped us create." 

"I was amazed at the scenes and characters that came out of me over the course of the weekend, as well as the way an existing character from a work-in-progress morphed and changed before my eyes. It made me realize a different direction my story could take and how much improved it would be!" 

"I would love another session with Lesléa. She is inspiring and despite her many successes, she is not intimidating. She is approachable and kind. She not only motivated me to plant the 'seeds of writing within,' but to nurture them constantly." 

"I went home and wrote 20 pages about my characters." 

"I am usually a slow writer, taking at least a month to draft a chapter, short story, or article. Yet by following the writing exercises Lesléa led us through, within a few hours I had written a dozen pages detailing my chosen character's history, desires, and secrets. I never expected a character to come so alive and speak so vividly to me in such a short time. It was magical."