We write to connect.
You want to write. You want it so bad, and you're willing to put in the work. But when you actually find time, you don't feel focused or productive.
You need support and to see what “real writer” success looks like.
When you have the support of a group combined with support honing your storytelling skills, you let go of excuses and take control of your story.
My workshops are the ideal environment to practice your craft with like-minded writers, who are putting in the work to actualize their dreams.
No matter how crazy those dreams may seem.
I'll never forget the night I autographed so many books that my Sharpie ran out of ink.
It was the book launch party for Blacklisted From The PTA.
My friends helped me plan the perfect celebration (and sales strategy). We rented the hottest spot in town, hired the coolest DJ, and spent the night toasting my success while fans lined up for their signed copy.
I wore my cutest hot pink bedazzled shoes with the intention of being comfortable. But I signed so many books, I thought my arm was going to fall off.
And here's my biggest take away from the that journey…
I couldn't have done it without support.
In Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell says to get good at something, we have to practice for 10,000 hours. That’s five years of a 40-hour a week job. I didn’t have that kind of time to spend writing, but if I wanted to make any progress at all, I needed to put in all the hours I could. Or, as one of my writer friends says, I needed the BITCH method — Butt In The Chair, Hon.
If I wanted to be a real writer, I had to write. And I needed the support of other writers.
I entered contests, took a class and drank a LOT of skinny lattes in a LOT of coffee shops. I started going to any meeting or event where writers congregated. None of them fit quite right, but they would have to do.
I knew that if I could just keep writing, getting past my fears, and write — in spite of my perfectionist tendencies — that I’d be on track to log those 10,000 hours.
Little by little, with the help of many mentors, teachers, and writing groups, I started finishing journal entries, essays & short stories.
Soon, writing opportunities seemed to pop up everywhere.
I started writing for my professional trade paper, local magazines, and eventually found my own style and strength in short-form humor.
I developed a thriving reprint business among scores of parenting magazines across the country, publishing hundreds of stories and earning thousands of dollars a year for our family.
I started writing content online, which led to all kinds of opportunities — from New York City to the red carpets to finally scoring my dream job in advertising.
All because I kept scribbling. All because I found the support of like-minded writers to help me keep going.
My workshops are best suited for someone who needs writing support, thrives on deadlines, and wants to be surrounded by like-minded writers who want you to succeed as much as they want to.
My workshops help you discover your voice and improve your writing, so you keep writing, keep publishing, and keep connecting.
Because when you find your voice, you rule your world. And when you use your voice, you change the world.
My workshops are extremely limited. I fill them on a first come, first serve basis. Sign up to be notified about the next workshop.
current workshops
FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO CONTROL THEIR STORY & UNLEASH THE POWER OF THEIR MUSE
Your Muse, she's tricky. But here's the thing about her, when you take control, she stops teasing you. Your Muse can't help but show up when you let her know you're the boss.
She shows up on your time. Every time.
Master the Muse is an in-person, interactive workshop.
Commit to this 3-hour workshop, and I'll give you a set of fresh, intriguing prompts and a community who actually gets you. Best of all, you'll leave with a 12-week plan to get your Muse working for YOU.
In addition to a powerful group dynamic and a 12-week Muse Buster plan, you get my decade of writing and publishing experience that led to hundreds of magazine publications and thousands of loyal readers.
Whether you’re writing fiction, memoir, articles, or a speech, Master the Muse will get you writing, get you excited about writing, and up your odds of finishing whatever project has been nagging at you... For days. For weeks. For months?
Seriously, get your ass to the class and tell your Muse who's the boss.
Master the Muse breaks through blocks to get the ideas, words, and pages flowing. During this 3-hour session you receive:
- Pages of writing, effortlessly created through thoughtfully crafted and curated prompts
- Fresh ideas for any focus project they bring to the session
- Real-time group feedback on where their words are hitting home emotionally
- Experience contributing to a professionally facilitated writers workshop
- Introduction to or recognition of your voice
- Camaraderie of a group of like-minded creators
Master the Muse 12-week plan to ensure the seeds you sow in the workshop flourish over the next 3 months.
At the end of 3 hours, you’ll leave feeling:
- Excited about writing
- Clear about your message
- Confident in your voice
- Determined to commit to a regular practice
- Connected to a group of writers
Master the Muse meets in Rogers, Arkansas.
$45 for the 3-hour session + addition to the Second Story Writer's Workshop Private Facebook Group
Ready to put the Muse on notice?
Take control of your creativity today.
DEDICATED WRITING-CRAFT DEVELOPMENT FOR WRITERS WHO WANT TO RUN THE SHOW
Do you know what a creative control freak is? It's someone who tells their story on their own terms and in their own voice.
Do you know how to let your creative control freak out to play? You develop a writing routine, build a publishing plan, and set accountability checkpoints.
When you rule your creative control freak, you take your writing to the next level.
Creative Control Freak Studio is a 6-week online workshop where you'll identify strengths as well as any bad habits. (Not to worry, these are easy to break!) You’ll take control of your craft by infusing imagination and structure, so that your words connect with your audience.
Every time.
In addition to a powerful group dynamic, you get my decade of writing and publishing experience that led to hundreds of magazine publications and thousands of loyal readers.
Whether you’re writing fiction, memoir, articles, or a speech, Creative Control Freak Studio will improve your work. I guarantee.
Creative Control Freak Studio improves your writing word by word, paragraph by paragraph, and page by page. Over the course of 6 weeks you receive:
- Accountability
- Support on your focus project for the duration of the studio session
- Written feedback on minimum of two submissions of up to 1,000 words per submission
- Experience contributing reader feedback to a professionally facilitated writers workshop
- Recognition of your voice, as experienced by a group of peer readers
- Camaraderie of a group of like-minded creators in a private Facebook group
At the end of 6 weeks, your writing will have:
- Sassier sentences
- Tighter dialogue
- More developed characters
- Better story arcs
- Greater emotional impact
- Clearer calls-to-action (if applicable)
- High-quality humor
Creative Control Freak Studio meets from 10 am - 12 pm CST for 6 consecutive Saturdays.
$229 for all 6 sessions, written feedback on pages submitted, and private Facebook group membership.
Ready to let your creative control freak out to play and rule your writing?
What others say about Lela Davidson's workshops:
Hit Goals
It’s a place for writers to make real progress toward self-set goals and find community with others doing the same. I would recommend six weeks with Lela to anyone who wants to write more, start writing, or just see if writing is really what they want to do.
— Laurie Marshall, Freelance Writer / Social Media Strategist
Create Fun
Lela is exciting, inspiring, and perceptive. I am writing again and loving it! This workshop was the most creative fun I’ve had in years.
— Marie Clapper, Media Executive / Playwright, Author "Everyday Matters: One Woman Savors Ordinary Days in Extraordinary Ways"
Write Regularly
Exactly the shot in the arm my creativity needed. I had let my writing languish, and I was having a hard time getting my rear end in the chair to write regularly. The work in a group setting was motivating and validating. I would recommend this workshop to would-be and new writers as well as veterans in all genres.
— Angie Albright, Non-Profit Fund Development Professional
“Joining a writer’s workshop was intimidating since I don’t really consider myself to be an actual bonafide “writer.” Lela put my anxiety to rest the moment I stepped into the first session. She is a welcoming, hilarious and inspiring leader and the group of writers in the room encouraged and challenged me to write more often and rethink my reasons for doing so. I can’t recommend this workshop highly enough!”
