San Francisco Writers’ Grotto

Two weeks ago, while on business in San Francisco, I took time off from my research to attend the San Francisco Writers' Grotto sampler course in Personal Essay and Memoir writing. The class, taught by Linda Fraser, was an excellent taste of San Francisco's literary scene.

For those who want to write professionally, I would recommend you seek out writers like those who populate the Grotto: professional writers, or, that is to say, practicing writers. By the same token, many universities have practicing writers in residence. Nothing offers practice in writing like the writing-intensive courses in an MFA. However you get it, from an MFA or from a Grotto-like community, advice from real writers publishing regularly is invaluable to the up-and-coming writer. Don't think you can go it alone. As always, the best way to get good advice is to be quiet and to listen.

If anyone is interested in the Grotto's classes, you can find a schedule of Fall classes online here.