Testimonials

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Former Students Speak Out:

On Anne’s Writing Workshops:

"Anne Liu Kellor cultivates a classroom environment that honors each person's ability, courage, and the direction they earn to take their writing. I found Anne's teaching to strike a balance between challenging me with thoughtful probing questions, helping me to take my work to the next level, while giving space to honoring my abilities as they were. Anne captures a writing environment for her students that is genuine, not intimidating, and challenging." - Shelley Gillespie
 
“Anne is the kind of person whose presence inspires a feeling of belonging and safety. I never worried about being judged or not good enough. I did some of my best writing while participating in her classes. She somehow managed to pull the important stories out of me, and then inspired me to do the work of turning them into pieces of writing I was proud of.”-- Margie Schubert

 “I appreciated your energetic preparation before class; your attention to each writer’s material which encouraged us to go farther and dig deeper into what we were trying to say; your ability to listen with care for what was behind the words on the page; your knowledge of reference material, and the handouts you gave relevant to our assignments. In my own case, you helped me give fresh attention to old material, and encouraged me to believe a memoir might actually be possible.”- Jeanne Lohmann

 "Anne Liu Kellor's class was one of the first workshops I ever participated in, and it introduced me to two things I think are highly important to anyone hoping to improve their writing in a workshop setting: the value of a positive atmosphere and the importance of exercise in building your writing muscles. She's both an encouraging and an honest teacher; you take away from her class not only loads of ideas about your own work, but about the craft of writing in general." – Josh Parish

"Some of my best and most productive writing experiences came out of Anne's classes.  I treasure her feedback on my writing as the most constructive instructions that encourage me to continue in my writing process.  Anne is a master of her craft and wise and compassionate in her leading of other writers."-Genine Bradwin

 “I took Anne Liu Kellor's “Writing Compassion” workshop, and it really got my creative wheels spinning again ~ I eagerly looked forward to her class every week, and found myself excited to do the weekly assignments, and surprised by what came out of them...Anne is very compassionate and accessible as a teacher, and used a great variety of exercises to stimulate the students' creativity and give us fresh angles from which to approach subjects near and dear to us.” –Galen Hemmann

 "So far, I've taken three classes taught by you, and a workshop, all while working on a full length novel.  Our focus on spirituality in class enhanced my ability to give my characters greater depth, while our class writing projects and discussion supported my confidence in myself as a writer.  I particularly like how the freewriting we did opened new insights into character and human behavior.  But the best thing about the classes have been your signature style of calm affirmation.  You create an environment where heart-felt encouragement and acceptance allows writers to face the crystalline honesty that hides beneath our words.  Your classes are a spa for the writer's soul.”     – Lee Graves

 “Anne Liu Kellor is a one-of-a-kind workshop leader and teacher. Her method is deep and personal. She encouraged me to go to the sacred places where my writing was hiding. Writers at any level would benefit by working with her.” - Patty Kinney

On Working One-on-One With Anne:

 “If you want someone to dot your I's and cross your T's, hire a proofreader. If you want someone to take you deeper into your own work -- so you know where it sings, where it wants more from you, and why any of your words matter, work with Anne.” – Shelley Kirk-Rudeen

 “Someone once told me that every writer needs an angel—a bright and penetrating being who spares neither criticism or support. I'm happy to say that Anne Kellor fits that description. After years of trying to establish and sustain a daily writing discipline, I enlisted Anne's services as a mentor. I am so glad I did. With her support and encouragement, I produced more writing than I have in years, and wrote with more self-confidence than I ever have.

Every month, I'd mail her 20 double-spaced pages of original work along with a process statement about the work. A few days later, I'd receive her critique. It was so helpful! Anne is a great critic: thorough and perceptive. She pays attention to the bones, muscles and heart, as well as to the skin and surface of a piece of writing. Her comments and criticism are always to the point.

Most importantly, her critiques do not come from “on high,” but are collegial and celebratory. As a fellow writer, she celebrates the courage it takes to sit before a blank page and write as well and as honestly as one can. I share this feeling with others who have worked with Anne: She is an inspiration!”   - Keith Eisner

"I have worked with Anne for about three years. I am a novice, unsophisticated and undisciplined sixty year old writer. Anne has accepted all of that and been able to gently nudge me along despite my recalcitrance.  Her mentoring style is accepting of personal nuances while always bringing me back to task. Her feedback is timely and extensive. Her suggestions are always gentle, astute, thoughtful and thought provoking.  I am grateful that she continues to want to work with me!" - Eileen McGorry

 "I have worked off and on with Anne for the past two years. She has skillfully guided me in creating a stronger and more succinct voice, while generously providing me with useful feedback and commentary. Anne is a creative and thoughtful writer and teacher,and a pleasure to work with."- Darcie Richardson

 “I am a novice in the field of memoir type writing and free writes and working with Anne in her workshops has broadened my knowledge and my willingness to uncover my past and learn from it through the written word.  As my mentor, she has gracefully and graciously offered insight into my words and writing process.  She asks questions and offers suggestions to more fully develop my writing and my thinking process.  I have learned through our time together that writing can be cathartic, insightful, and fun.  My writing is getting stronger and deeper and now holds more meaning.  Anne is a delightful teacher who is approachable, honest, and highly respectful, not only of us fellow writers, but also of our words and memories.” – Karen Skelton