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The Writing Studio

The Writing Studio, founded by Elana Golden, offers classes and workshops in creative and personal writing to experienced and beginning writers. With over 17 years of experience and 4000 classes, it is a unique and highly respected Los Angeles school.

The Writing Studio

Upcoming Classes at The Writing Studio

  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Unleash your creativity and find your unique voice through the power of writing. Join a supportive community of writers as you explore the art of storytelling and unlock your hidden potential. Whether you're a seasoned writer or new to the craft, this class will guide you on an inspiring journey of self-expression and literary discovery.

    Next start date: Wednesday, Mar 20th, 10am–1pm Pacific Time
    Price: $200
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  • Saturday Creative Writing Workshop

    Unleash your creative potential and embark on a transformative writing journey in the peaceful atmosphere of The Writing Studio's inspiring workshop. Through meditation and constructive feedback, this Zoom-based class invites both experienced and beginning writers to explore the realms of memoir and fiction, while surprising themselves with the extraordinary material they produce.

    Next start date: Saturday, Mar 23rd, 9:30am–6:30pm Pacific Time
    Price: $160
    View full details
Near the intersection of La Brea & Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
The Writing Studio
Hollywood, Hollywood
Near the intersection of La Brea & Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, California 90036

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Description

Elana Golden teaches writing through the use of the personal story for the sake of peacemaking and beauty. She founded the Los Angeles based Writing Studio™ in January 2000, and since then has taught over 3500 classes, workshops and individual sessions in creative, personal writing to experienced and beginning writers, screenwriters, as well as coached many actors for auditions and parts.

In addition to the ongoing weekly classes at the Writing Studio’s permanent location in Los Angeles, Elana has taught her workshops in Colorado, Arizona, the Bay Area, and at the Skirball Cultural Center of Los Angeles. She also worked with Palestinian and Jewish high school students from Israel/Palestine using creative writing as part of a peacemaking training program, and with Palestinian women in Orange County.

There are no other schools in LA like The Writing Studio. Elana has taught over 4000 classes and workshops in the US and abroad, and the school has been in operation for 17 years!


Reviews of The Writing Studio

(4.8-star rating across 55 reviews)
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by RICK CHERTOFF on 9/23/2021
    Beyond learning skills I needed somebody who "gets" what I write, what I'm interested in, and Then gives the kind of feedback that "feeds" my desire to write. I have a life of my own stories I want to tell and Elana at the Writing Studio consistently, actually without fail, is ready to help me birth those stories.
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by Sina on 9/16/2021
    I have been taking creative writing class with Elana for the past two years, both in person and on Zoom. I especially like that the class is on Zoom, because I can still benefit from receiving invaluable writing instructions and writing experiences that Elana provides, in the comfort of my own home. I highly recommend this class for those who are looking for a small class setting with personalized instruction and feedback, and looking to transform stories into works of art.
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by Heather Sioux on 9/13/2021
    I came to Elana's class through a gift certificate my cousin had given me for my Birthday and I must say this is the most serendipitous birthday gift yet! I initially attended a one day workshop where I was able to begin cultivating my ability and discover my voice, and I enjoyed it so much I've continued with weekly sessions. It's been ten months now! Elana leads the classes with intention, kindness and mutual respect, throughout the course of our time tougher so far I feel I've been able to further hone my creativity and expression. I attend class via zoom from the east coast and although I have never met Elana or any of my writing cohort in person they have all become an important community to me during this pandemic. I'm so grateful to have met Elana and for my experiences in our weekly sessions! Elana thank you so much for your wisdom, commitment and light. I truly hope we can meet in person one day.
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by Rochelle Caplan on 9/10/2021
    I have been taking creative writing lessons with Elana Golden from January 2020. Prior to the COVID epidemic I attended in-person classes and since the onset of the epidemic I have participated in weekly classes via Zoom. Irrespective of the venue, whether in-person or virtual, Elana's classes are excellent. The feedback she provides on my writing samples and on those of other students has helped me to begin to understand the nuts and bolts and do's and don'ts of writing a novel. Elana is devoted to her students' work and often comes up with additional thoughts and insights about their writing during the week after class and before the next lesson. I highly recommend these classes to anyone who wants to learn creative writing.
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by Deborah Myers on 9/10/2021
    I have been participating in Elana’s classes, at first in person, now on zoom, for over a year and a half. To say I enjoy them is an understatement. She creates an environment that allows and encourages you to write deeply from your heart. The three hours each week I spend with Elana and the others in the group are a time of exploration and self-knowing I would not experience were I writing on my own. She teaches technique organically, and gives you the insight to see your writing more deeply as it and you evolve. Classes with Elana have become a priority activity in my week that I cherish.
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Anonymous review on 9/10/2021
    I have been attending Elana's class now for two years. I started in her cozy living room and since the pandemic have been attending via Zoom. Elana is a great instructor. She is nurturing yet knows how to gently push her students to put their best work on paper. The weekly sessions are both relaxing and rejuvenating. Elana addresses each student with helpful constructive feedback and encourages positivity from the rest of the group. I've stuck around as long as I have because Elana makes my work feel worth it.
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by Gwen Hummel on 9/10/2021
    I've taken classes with Elana Golden both in her home (pre-pandemic) and on Zoom during the pandemic - she is definitely a teacher of substance and never fails to have substantial and valuable things to say - she is equally good in person and on Zoom - I've been doing her three-hour classes weekly for about two years now and I consider this to be one of the best things I do each week. She never disappoints. I would mourn terribly if she ever went away.
  • Saturday Creative Writing Workshop

    Reviewed by Joi W. on 4/20/2020
    Elana was an incredible guide! I truly enjoyed her class!
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by David B. on 1/24/2020
    Elana is a very skilled and intuitive teacher. Her suggestions were incredibly helpful.
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by Jesse N. on 6/27/2019
    Love Elana love her class love the other students. Nothing not to love!
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by Phoebe P. on 5/30/2019
    I was looking for something casual and welcoming in a class. I’ve had trouble even journaling, but Elena offers just enough guidance and her non-judgmental attitude relaxes me. It’s not a classroom setting, but there is some serious creativity from others, and I leave feeling lighter, inspired, and excited to write.
  • Saturday Creative Writing Workshop

    Reviewed by Rhonda W. on 3/24/2019
    Elana and all of the writing participants felt like an extension of myself! I thoroughly enjoyed everyone’s style of writing. Really appreciated the well-planned flow of the entire day with Elana’s precise and careful feedback after each writing segments! I did not have any fixed expectations as my first writing workshop and truly walked away more in love with my literary potential! SPECIAL THANKS TO ELANA‼️
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by Gwen H. on 1/26/2019
    The teacher is great - no bullshit - she is the real deal. She has great ideas every time I go to class.
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by Donald S. on 8/3/2018
    It was good but not for me
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by Barbara K. on 7/3/2018
    I have been looking for a writing course that had more personal focus, time to write, and time for feedback. I love the reflection time as well. Feedback is supportive, expansive, opening and encouraging. Going back to continue, as I had been stalled for awhile. This course has me reinspired and excited about writing and discovering what arises from our creative well.
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by Nataliya D. on 2/3/2018
    Elana is a great teacher. I found her meditations and short readings inspirational. She pushed me to keep going with my writing and gave me some ideas for a plot and main characters development.
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by Nikole Severance on 9/17/2016
    I have worked with Elana in her Writing Studio for several years, My writing skills have flourished under Elana's gentle, encouraging and inspired tutelage. She is a truly talented writer, editor, mentor and writing coach. Going to one of her writing classes or spending a day in a private session is like going away to a spiritual retreat. I cannot recommend her highly enough and would give her ten stars is that was available!
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by Kristen Leahy on 9/16/2016
    Elana creates a space of sacred freedom where the creative soul inside of you cannot help but come alive. Her words of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration have helped me get in touch with the writer and creative being that I always wanted to be, but didn’t believe that I could be. I have written in Elana’s presence hundreds of times in the past 11 years, and every time I am surprised by what comes out. With Elana’s help I have learned to trust my own creative process, to find and love my own unique voice, and to tell the stories that want to be told. These stories have been sometimes painful, sometimes joyful, sometimes difficult, and always healing.
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by Michael Glock Ph.D. on 9/14/2016
    Elana has a rare talent to connect you to your own myths. In a strange and magical way she holds a still space in her place that allows you to plumb the depths of your own life, revealing, perhaps for the first time, a rich tapestry, with characters, heroes and heroines and story arcs. Suddenly, it seems you are writing literature! Elana is a gift, see her, work with her.
  • Creative Writing Weekly via Zoom

    Reviewed by Gwen Dittmar on 9/14/2016
    I invested in attending Elana's weekly writing class for over four years. In that short period time, I wrote two books and many short stories, as well as crafted my business and website content. I went from someone who had never written a story, to someone who thrived and desired the feeling that came from writing. One of the added benefits of attending Elana's class was the fellowship. Many of my classmates and I developed friendships and it was an honor to witness the art of their stories unfold from start to completion. Elana's wisdom, intuition, encouragement, safety and constructive feedback provides a trusting invitation to write and is sure to bring an author out of anyone who has a unique story to share - which is all of us. Now that my babies are getting older I am eager and excited to return to Elana's classes.
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Review Summary by CourseHorse

Students at The Writing Studio have expressed their appreciation for the classes, highlighting the valuable skills they acquired and the supportive environment that facilitated their growth as writers. Many students mentioned Elana's ability to provide personalized feedback and guidance that helped them hone their creativity and express themselves authentically. The classes, whether in person or on Zoom, were described as positive experiences where students could explore their writing deeply and receive valuable insights into storytelling techniques. The sense of community formed among the students was also noted as an important aspect of the classes, especially during the pandemic. Overall, students expressed gratitude for Elana's wisdom, commitment, and nurturing approach, indicating that their experiences in the classes had a significant impact on their writing journey. Direct quotes: 1. "Elana creates a space of sacred freedom where the creative soul inside of you cannot help but come alive." 2. "Elana's wisdom, intuition, encouragement, safety, and constructive feedback provide a trusting invitation to write and is sure to bring an author out of anyone who has a unique story to share - which is all of us." 3. "Elana's gentle inclusive setting stimulated my writing skills to the next level. I can now call myself an accomplished writer."

Teachers at The Writing Studio

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