Catherine Ann Jones interviewed from the UK by Julia McCutchon (from the International Association of
Conscious & Creative Writers). Click on player below.
The Way of Story offers an integrative approach to writing narrative, combining solid craft with experiential inner discovery. Craft alone is not enough. No other writing workshop offers the solid craft to guarantee a good story along with the intangible inner dimensions of writing. The transformation of good writing depends on making it one’s own from within.
For writers of all levels & all narrative forms including
plays, screenplays, stories, novels, & memoir
Seven Steps to Story Structure
Create memorable characters & dialogue
Balancing craft with intuitive skills
Access and free your potential story
As C.G. Jung knew,
"Ultimately, everything depends on the quality of the individual..."
I teach not from theory but as a working writer. That is why I know
the hardest part is sitting down.
Catherine Ann Jones is in possession of a powerful talent... nothing is more rare in my opinion.
-Norman Mailer
Award-winning New York playwright and Hollywood screenwriter, Catherine Ann Jones, with over twenty-five years experience as a professor at major universities, offers unique writing workshops for all narrative forms of writing including plays, screenplays, memoir, novels, stories. (She is also available as an individual story & script consultant.)
Each story is unique if it comes from you. You are the most important ingredient. I encourage my clients not only to write what they know, but what they feel strongly about, either real or imagined. George Lucas never traveled in outer space but he lived the story that became Star Wars.
"We've become lopsided living only in our heads. Writing, in order to serve the soul, must integrate outer craft with the inner world of intuition and feeling." - Catherine Ann Jones, New York Times interview
Learn the Seven Steps to Story Structure
Writing comes from within and the work begins there. But craft is essential. Craft and discipline result in freedom. Three things matter: structure, structure, and structure! Story structure is the architectural plan which provides a solid foundation for the story you wish to tell. Learning this aspect of craft is essential in manifesting a commercially successful story .
But craft alone is not enough:
"The purpose of the artist is humble, He is essentially only a channel."
"The best times are when I seem to disappear altogether and the story writes itself. It passes through me but is not really mine. A kind of visitation, if you will." - Catherine Ann Jones, Pleiades Magazine
Awaken the inner eye as a lens to imaginary landscapes. Images both remembered and imagined. How to invite your story through visualization. The moments remembered in a great novel or film are usually visual moments, unspoken moments. Learn virtual reality without technology.
Other essential aspects of the craft of storytelling:
Focusing, using intuition and felt sense
Creating memorable characters
Theme and tracking the story through-line
Dialogue is not conversation
Supportive group experience as a creative catalyst
Writing the story outline as a successful marketing tool
Techniques applicable for all levels and all story genres
"One thing is certain. You can never write a great story or film until you sit down and write a story or film."
Read the (SCREENTALK magazine interview ) March-April 2003 HERE Here is what former participants have said about the Way of Story Workshop:
Responses to The Way of Story Workshop:
At last, a working, professional writer who teaches writing.
- Joe S., San Francisco, CA
A safe place in which to discover oneself as a writer. Great exercises which open up a deeper process while learning the essential steps of story structure.
- Linda Leonard, Jungian analyst and author of Wounded Woman (Healing Father-Daughter Relationship)
Catherine Jones’s focus, clarity, and gentle but spot-on reactions help identify the weak or lazy spots in your writing. Thank God! She is the elevator of purpose.
- Joan Buck, journalist, Vanity Fair
A valuable experience for anyone and everyone! Just the right focus on story structure, which gave us the necessary tools to delve into our individual truths.
- Bill H., Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA
Your structure gave my story wings. I’ve never been so clear on what I want to write.
- Linda L., Ann Arbor, MI
Response from Esalen Institute in Big Sur
Catherine Ann Jones is the real thing. I left The Way of Story workshop with inspiration, determination, new tools and skills, new material and insights to nourish me for years to come. What more could you want! - Peter Gibb, novelist,Ashland. OR
This was my third Way of Story with Catherine and it has worked each time, motivating me to write more and sparking new narrative themes. - Bill Herr, Big Sur, CA
Catherine showed me how to write my way out of the darkness and into the light. - Beth T., Athens, GA
Found a way into my deeper story so that I can now tell it. The Way of Story was inside all along. - Wendy A., LA
An eclectic group of extraordinary beings gather to learn with a writing master. One by one, they find their craft, souls, and enough material to last each of us a lifetime. Thanks very much, Catherine, I’m indebted to you! - Peter C, Palo Alto, CA
Thank you for the safe structure you have built for our imaginations to ricochet within. Bouncing exuberantly from one exercise to the next, you have gently yet firmly, guided me to a stillness unstuck from stagnation. Thank you! - Alisun B., Oakland, CA
The Way of Story expanded my perspective about what it means to write creatively. If you want inspiration, try this workshop! - Cheryl S., Sausalito, CA
The Way of Story workshop provided a balance between teaching writing technique and discovering personal insights. Catherine Ann Jones is a down-to-earth guide in this amazing process. I really got so much out of your workshop. Heartfelt thanks for jumpstarting my process. You are a wonderful guide, and I am telling everyone about it! - Barbara B., Menlo Park, CA
I loved The Way of Story! Catherine has a unique gift which brings the writer our of anyone. I attended the course ‘just to see’ and now am filled with a confidence and desire to write like never before. - Sacha B., Charlotte, NC
The Way of Story and Catherine showed me what I didn’t know I didn’t know. - Christine E., Santa Monica, CA
Catherine Ann Jones is a clear, compassionate soul who gives her students exercises which are pathways to their own souls. I have written more, learned more in one week than ever before. This work is about so much more than writing. As you work the process, you realize that this experience will continue to inform your writing as well as your whole life. So many seeds were given that I expect to be picking from this writing garden for the rest of my life. - Cynthia C., Bethlehem, Indiana
Catherine thank you so much… for teaching and guiding us all with such openness and wisdom! all the love, - Neelama E., Roswell, GA
Approaching the craft of writing from an innovative perspective of heart, soul and multiplicity of perspectives, The Way of Story invigorated my work in a special way where other types of classes have left me uninspired. The workshop quickly became a sacred temenos of imagination and creativity. Catherine is a writer’s writer and a gifted teacher. - Dr. Barry J. Mills, Santa Barbara, CA
Anyone taking this workshop with an interest in writing would benefit greatly. I simply want to express my gratitude to you. I will remember most your eyes, the way they light up when one of us had a breakthrough. This happened to each and everyone in the room. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
- David N.,Chicago, Ill.
Thanks again for the wonderful week. I just wanted you to know that the agency that I had sent my novel too has found me an offer through a publishing house.
- Jimmy W. Perth, Australia
I took your Way of Story workshop four years ago at Esalen Institute, but was
not yet ready for your course then. Later I bought The Way of Story book and it
has been my guiding light in writing my memoir. I’m sending you a copy of my
book with a dedication to you in gratitude for what you have taught me. Thank you
again for your brilliant guiding light in my life.
- Meg Robinson, /Drawn by a Star: Adventures in Patagonia/
Ojai, CA
This class is amazingly effective for its revelation of story structure & timing, the trajectory of characters, and most importantly how character drives plot. I wouldn’t change a thing!
- Helga S., Ojai, CA.
Thank you for providing the understanding that the power of writing comes from the things not said. You are a knowledgeable & a wonderful teacher!
- Jeff H., Ojai, CA.
You make everything seem possible!
- Doreen H.,Selling to Hollywood Conference, Los Angeles, CA
It’s uplifting to see someone who’s had a successful career in Hollywood be dedicated to helping others bring heart and soul into writing.
- Kate B., WGA screenwriter
A safe place to discover oneself as a writer. Exercises to open up the process and to learn the essential steps of story structure.
- Linda Leonard, Jungian analyst and author of Wounded Woman (Healing Father-Daughter Relationship)
Catherine Jones’s focus, clarity, and gentle but spot-on reactions help identify the weak or lazy spots in your writing. Thank God! She is the elevator of purpose.
- Joan Buck, journalist for Vanity Fair
It’s uplifting to see someone who’s had a successful career in Hollywood be dedicated to helping others bring heart and soul into writing.
- Kate B., WGA screenwriter
INDIA QUOTES 2007
(From graduates of National School of Drama, New Delhi)
It was like diving into the deep ocean without knowing how to swim, It was like playing piano without knowing the notes. Yet it brings me up with happiness and hope, Enhances my knowledge and nourishes my thoughts.
-Dr. Dinesh Yadav, Rajasthan
I gained full confidence in writing. There were many beautiful and important tips on writing gained from the workshop. The time was too short!
-Durga Sharma, Rajasthan
It has been refreshing and great! I feel this workshop a necessity for young writers. Tough things are made easier due to this experience.
-Meeta Mishra, Karnataka
The workshop is a key which opened a door in some corner of my mind, which I never thought existed. This workshop is a lamp to light my way with writing. Many thanks for the key and the lamp!
-Madhurkankana Roy, Assam
It was indeed a privilege to attend Catherine Ann Jones workshop here in Delhi. Though out the workshop, I have learned so much!
-N. Munish, Manipur
This workshop was like a silence between the lines – so many feelings which could be implied with less words.
-Babita Pandey, Uttar Pradesh
