Jump Start

COMING SPRING 2022: This eight-week writing class offers a space for new and experienced writers to build community, strengthen creative resilience and jump start your writing.

Each week, I provide a variety of approaches to help you generate new material, from somatic practices to improv to documentary techniques. We explore image, character, sound and rhythm and other fundamentals applicable to any genre.

In addition to in-class writing, students have access to parallel writing sessions and an individual writing consult with me.

No prior writing experience needed.

On Zoom. $425. Info on creative ways to pay here.

There’ll be a class forming in Spring 2022. Sign the interest form above to be part of the next class.

Writing Clinic

JANUARY 2022: A space for writing and sharing work. This 12-week workshop will help you complete the next draft — whatever genre you’re working in. 

Each meeting will consist of creative exercises, discussion of writing challenges and feedback on works-in-progress. Participants will have a chance to share their work twice. Communication guidelines will be provided so that together we can create a safe space for participants to do brave work. 

On zoom. $525. Info on creative ways to pay here.

The clinic meets Saturday afternoons 2-4pm PST.

Sign the interest form above to join.

Sibyl’s class allowed me to be messy, to experiment, and to be fearless in doing so. The various observation methods and ways of attacking the blank page that Sibyl introduces greatly demystify the process of writing. By engaging these practices, the artificial barriers to accessing the richness in my own observations melted away. The other wonderful surprise of this class is the community that forms over six weeks. Sibyl creates an encouraging environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. I highly recommend taking this leap into curiosity and discovery.

— Dan Evans

Sibyl takes such a gentle, thoughtful, and playful approach to writing. I immediately felt comfortable in her classroom, and her insightful feedback has helped me recognize what it is I’m trying to accomplish as a writer and given me so much more confidence in my abilities. She truly listens to everyone in her class, and meets everyone where they are, without expectations or judgment. I appreciate that she takes a radically holistic view of the writing process, even incorporating things like theater and body-movement exercises to get our brains churning. Sibyl is generous, patient and has such amazing intuition when it comes to figuring out what her students need to move forward with their work. The world needs more Sibyls!

— Gina Marie Napolitan

Sibyl O’Malley’s writing classes are superb. The reason they are stellar is because Sibyl creates a safe environment in which to really let go and drop into the action of writing.

Sibyl provides wonderful prompts and paces them well throughout the sessions. In the workshop classes, Sibyl structures the feedback process in such a way that writers feel encouraged to keep writing. I have come away from her classes a better, more confident writer.

— Isabella Christodoulou

Sibyl creates a warm, inviting, safe community rife with creative tools. The structured yet gentle approach she brings to the class and to each exercise gave me access to my writing and creativity that I have been unable to find any other way. She nurtures each writer's individual interests as well as their talents. I can't recommend her or the class highly enough!

— Bianca Le Mouël

t was so hard to make the decision to read this project to the class because it feels almost like I am not sure it's a thing and also so personal. I have had this story/characters/world in my mind for nearly two years and your exercises helped unleash it! Thank you for your thoughtful comments on my work! I am blown away and so so appreciative.

— Tara Wallace

My tween loves the online writing course with Sibyl! It gives him an opportunity to be creative outside of an academic setting, but where there is still some guidance and structure to develop his writing skills. He enjoys collaborating with a small group of peers that he wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to meet. He looks forward to continuing to learn & explore in Sibyl's classes.

— Cindy Lopez

My child is definitely shy, but we're amazed at the pieces she has shared with us Her willingness to write has turned around 180 degrees. Your class is a highpoint of the week. We appreciate knowing that she is part of a small group where she is known and seen. I hope we will be able to have her continue with you into other sessions even as this one wraps.

— Parent