Ashland Writers' Workshop
Guided by a professor of creative writing and Shakespeare studies
About the Workshop
Hone your writing skills, fine tune your creative process, and develop publishable work
This workshop chiefly concentrates on the participants' writing. Almost every genre and literary format is welcome, be it prose, poetry, memoir, or script. This variety facilitates greater understanding of the literary arts as a whole. Such insight adds greater definition to our individual projects.
Examination of celebrated works helps us to develop as a writer or poet, yes, but this workshop is not a seminar. Instead, we evaluate relevant passages to better our own craft; think style, plot, character development, imagery, narrative, voice, etc.
Much of our time is spent conducting exercises and peer review. A strong believer in positive criticism, I emphasize group analysis of each participants work and intent. What were its strengths? Then, what can the writer possibly do to make the piece stronger? By focusing on what makes a work engaging we pinpoint areas for improvement.
Why Join a Workshop?
Workshops allow us to gauge a variety of responses to our work among those who can relate to the challenges and beauty of pursuing our craft. The setting encourages communal analysis within a structured framework.
Of course, since writing is an individual and highly personal endeavor, workshops also offer comradery. Through balancing freeform assessments with direction we enjoy greater insight and clarity of purpose.
What Makes this Workshop Unuiqe?
Established and ongoing since 2014, the Ashland Writer's Workshop has welcomed an eclectic range of participants from all walks of life. Caroline Lion herself brings an objective knowledge of literature as well as first-hand experience with notorious and celebrated figures. They include Michael McClure, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Tom Robbins, and Sam Shepard.
An experienced associate professor, Caroline's specialties include time management, selection of participants, and group cohesion. This is essential for a productive environment that enables individual success.
Some organizers prioritize their own work in such settings to the detriment of the group. Caroline instead focuses on enabling each contributor by fitting their work into the discussion. She leads the group but encourages everyone to contribute their ideas and perspective.
About Caroline Lion
Caroline Lion has received endorsements from best-selling novelists, Shakespeare scholars, editors, theater artists, and Beat-era novelists.
Here are some interesting details of her experience:
1980s: She left the Tisch School to study with Tom Robbins in La Conner, Washington and then became the literary manager of the Magic Theater in San Francisco. Two of her plays had staged readings and her first book was optioned as a screenplay.
2000s: Two books published and endorsed by Alan Rinzler (co-founder of Rolling Stone magazine), Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Tom Robbins.
2000s to present: Instructor at Southern Oregon University (playwriting), and Rogue Community College where she piloted the creative writing program and taught it for ten years.
2021: PhD awarded from the Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham, Stratford upon Avon, UK.
2022: Dissertation published (Routledge) and reviewed (2025) as “very compelling” and “invaluable” in Shakespeare Quarterly.
2023: Huntington- Oxford Exchange Fellowship, research at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, UK.
2024: Article published in Shakespeare and Religion (Vernon Press).
2022 - 2025: Research Associate at the New Swan Theater, University of California, Irvine.
Caroline first introduces a focus such as plot or narrative voice. Then we evaluate relevant passages by celebrated writers such as Maragaret Atwood or George Elliot. Our group then analyzes the readings for insight into the workshop's said focus.
After discussion we pursue a detailed exercise, such as developing characters in each participant's work. They can follow exercise requests or write on their own. As a group we then read and assess each participant's work. Everyone gets at least twenty minutes for readings and peer review.
Our Typical Workshop
Contact Us
Reach out to reserve your spot or ask questions about the workshop.
Questions? Feel free to reach out
Email: Klion230@yahoo.com
Phone: 541-488-5284
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