Story Foundations
Focus on Crafting Prose
(daytime & evening options available)
with writers & editors Batnadiv Hakarmi & Nadia Jacobson
Everyone has a story to tell …
… now is the time to write it
Break through “writer’s block"
Keep the inner critic at bay
Give oxygen to the writer within
Keep the inner critic at bay
Give oxygen to the writer within
Are you passionate about reading and want to write?
Struggling to find the time to write creatively?
Do you write well but want to learn the craft so you can write even better?
Nadia Jacobson and Batnadiv HaKarmi - both experienced writers, editors, and teachers - have combined their strengths to create a workshop for memoir and fiction writers who want to write regularly and improve their writing exponentially.
Over the course of this 10-week series, you'll dedicate time and space to learning the craft of writing, nurturing your writing style, and letting your stories emerge. You'll learn and experiment with the elements of the writer's toolkit:
Each week, participants will hone specific skills through readings, discussion, and in-class writing exercises. There'll be many opportunities to share writing for immediate feedback and to submit an edited piece for peer review with a sensitive critique from an instructor.
You'll also learn techniques to:
"Most people die with their music still locked up inside them," Benjamin Disraeli is quoted as saying. Let that not be our tragedy.
Any questions? Check out the FAQs below or drop us a line!
Struggling to find the time to write creatively?
Do you write well but want to learn the craft so you can write even better?
Nadia Jacobson and Batnadiv HaKarmi - both experienced writers, editors, and teachers - have combined their strengths to create a workshop for memoir and fiction writers who want to write regularly and improve their writing exponentially.
Over the course of this 10-week series, you'll dedicate time and space to learning the craft of writing, nurturing your writing style, and letting your stories emerge. You'll learn and experiment with the elements of the writer's toolkit:
- character development
- point of view
- setting
- dialogue
- story arc and plot
- narrative time
- rhythm and narrative pace.
Each week, participants will hone specific skills through readings, discussion, and in-class writing exercises. There'll be many opportunities to share writing for immediate feedback and to submit an edited piece for peer review with a sensitive critique from an instructor.
You'll also learn techniques to:
- create a writing routine
- heighten your observational skills
- turn small pockets of writing opportunity to your advantage
- read like a writer
"Most people die with their music still locked up inside them," Benjamin Disraeli is quoted as saying. Let that not be our tragedy.
Any questions? Check out the FAQs below or drop us a line!
Instructor Bios![]() Nadia Jacobson is a Jerusalem-based writer and editor. She is a fiction editor at the Ilanot Review, an Israeli journal of creative writing in English, and served as co-Municipal Liaison for the Jerusalem region of National Novel Writing Month, 2016 (nanowrimo.org). She holds an MA in English Literature and Creative Writing from Bar-Ilan University, and her fiction has appeared or is forthcoming in Meniscus Literary Journal, The Binnacle, Annalemma, Every Day Fiction, and a number of anthologies. A long-time member of the Jerusalem Writing Circle, she has taught creative writing at Emunah Ve’Omanut and privately, and has experience coaching writers from first draft to publication.
![]() Batnadiv Hakarmi is a Jerusalem-based writer, editor and artist whose works have appeared in Poetry International, the Ilanot Review, and Partial Answers. She holds an MA in Comparative Literature from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, where she taught composition and Introduction to Fiction. A long time member of the Jerusalem Writing Circle, she founded Night Writers, Jerusalem. She currently teaches creative writing at Emunah Ve’Omanut, a branch of Emunah College. Her work can be seen at www.batnadiv.com.
DetailsMinimum/Maximum No. Participants: 5/10
Live Online Workshops Via Zoom Daytime Sessions Wednesdays, 10:00-12:00 IDT Dates: May 20, 27; Jun 3, 10, 17, 24; Jul 1, 8, 15, 22 Cost: 1800 NIS Evening Sessions Tuesdays, 20:00-22:00 IDT Dates: May 19, 26; Jun 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Jul 7, 14, 21 Cost: 1800 NIS Payment options: via bank transfer (ILS), bit/PayBox/Pepper Pay or credit card (up to 6 instalments possible). Cancellation policy: If you cancel over a week before the beginning of class, you will receive a refund minus a 150 NIS service fee. If you cancel less than a week before the beginning of class, you will receive a refund minus a 250 NIS service charge. |
Testimonials'Nadia is a fantastic writing teacher. She cultivates a very warm and encouraging environment for writers. Her teaching style encourages one to dig deep and discover their writing potential. Her classes transformed my attitude to writing and motivated me to keep going. Each class was dedicated to studying a different aspect of story construction, and enabled one to develop a much more nuanced relationship to the craft. I really appreciated the opportunity to have my work properly critiqued and I felt that Nadia was truly invested in our progress as writers.' Tanya M. (Nov 2019-Jan 2020)
'I've really enjoyed the 10-week course with Nadia and Batnadiv - fascinating information and new techniques, engaging readings, fun writing prompts, and a teaching balance that works very well. I have re-ignited my creative juices, learnt a lot, and slipped back into the habit of writing every day. Thank you!' - Danny Verbov (Nov 2019-Jan, 2020) 'Nadia's course was deeply inspiring and reinforced why I love the craft of writing. And even more importantly, it motivated me to invest more time in my writing. The prompts and exercises during class were challenging in ways I didn't expect (in a positive way) and proved that magic can sometimes materialize in just ten minutes. It was such a treat to delve into the complexity and layers of writing and analyze different texts and ideas. And this in turn taught me how to be a more astute reader. The class provided a safe space to share work - which is both confronting and necessary to grow as a writer. Nadia taught me that I won't have great writing days every day, or even every other day, and that's OK... as long as I persist. I highly recommend this course for anyone who is an aspiring or experienced writer. No matter what your level, everyone can gain something from this course.' - Sari Nossbaum (Nov 2019-Jan 2020) 'Story Foundations is much more than a creative writing workshop. Beyond giving me tools to enrich my writing, it triggered a process of self-discovery that led me to uncover my deepest passions and true desires.' -Anya S. (Nov 2019-Jan 2020) 'I highly recommend the Story Foundations course. Tuesday evenings were the highlight of my week. I would leave the sessions both inspired and full of practical tips and insights. The course has completely transformed my writing in so many ways. I loved it.' - I.H. (Nov 2019-Jan 2020) 'This course clearly explains the components of good writing, and then makes it entirely possible for you to implement them.' - L.S. 'Story Foundations has injected oxygen into my writing.' - E.J. 'Thanks again for leading a fantastic writing workshop! I absolutely loved your attention to detail, careful critiques, and thoughtful writing exercises.' - E.T. 'The Story Foundations course, taught by Nadia Jacobson and Batnadiv HaKarmi, did exactly what you think it would: it gave me a strong foundation about the actual craft of writing, something I so needed to improve my understanding of how to build a story. Both of these women helped me start thinking like a writer and more importantly thinking of myself as a Writer. I'm so excited to think about where this writing journey will take me.' - B.B. The Story Foundations course is perfect for anyone who’s looking to begin, improve or return to writing. Nadia and Batnadiv are passionate, knowledgeable teachers who’ve created a writing course that’s detailed, comprehensive and accessible to all. They’ve reminded me how important story technique and revision are, how important a writing community is, and, most of all, how essential it is to sit and write every day no matter what. - S.S. 'Thank you both for a lovely and insightful course.' - C.D. ''The Story Foundations workshop was terrific...I want to take it again! I know I'll still learn more. Since taking the workshop, I've been writing every day.' - T.M. 'Through Nadia & Batnadiv's nurture, I gained the courage to write, and the insight to understand what I was writing and how best to improve it.' - S.G. 'Thanks for the worthwhile and useful course and for your careful feedback on my story.' - Y.S. FAQs
What happens if I miss a session? We make plans and life gets in the way. We get it. That's why you're welcome to listen to a digital recording for up to two weeks afterwards. I've never really written written before. Is this the right workshop for me? No, this is not for you. This workshop is for people who write for a living or who used to write creatively and want to get back into it and take their writing to the next level. We'd recommend attending individual coaching or the Writing Boot Camp to get started on your writing journey. What is a live online workshop? A live online workshop means joining a video conference. It means you can attend the workshop virtually from the comfort of your own home. You will need headphones, and access to video and audio on your phone or computer so you can take part in discussion. You'll receive an invite to join the Zoom meeting via email. |