Writing Workshop at Samuels Public Library Aims to Help Community Communicate More Clearly

Anyone who has ever stared at a blank page, wondering how to begin, may find encouragement at an upcoming writing workshop at Samuel’s Public Library.

Dr. Dan Trigoboff, an award-winning writer, editor, and retired communications professor with more than 50 years of experience in media and academia, will lead a workshop titled “Improve Communication Skills” on Thursday, March 19, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. Registration is required.

Trigoboff said the goal of the session is simple: help people overcome their fear of writing and focus on clear communication.

“If you can speak, you can write,” Trigoboff said. “The biggest hurdle for many people is simply getting started.”

The workshop will cover the fundamentals of writing, including sentence mechanics, word choice, and structure, but Trigoboff emphasized that the focus will be practical rather than overly technical.

“I’m not trying to turn people into English professors,” he said. “Writing is really an exercise in critical thinking — figuring out what you want to say and how best to say it.”

Participants will explore how the audience affects writing style, the importance of accuracy and fact verification, and techniques that help writers communicate effectively without overwhelming readers.

Trigoboff noted that journalists often favor concise writing built around strong nouns and verbs, a style he believes works well for many forms of communication.

“The whole point of writing is to communicate,” he said. “If you’re confusing your audience, then you’re not accomplishing what you set out to do.”

The session will also introduce participants to resources that can help them improve their writing after the workshop ends. Among those tools is the Purdue Online Writing Lab, a widely used reference site that provides guidance on grammar, structure, and AP style.

Trigoboff said the workshop is designed for a broad audience, including retirees who want to write church newsletters or family updates, students considering careers that involve writing, and anyone interested in improving their communication skills.

“There’s no field I can think of where writing and clear thinking won’t help you,” he said.

A veteran journalist, Trigoboff began his career while earning his bachelor’s degree at Boston University and worked as a news and sports reporter in New England. After moving to California in 1978, he covered law and business while earning a Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego.

Throughout his career, he has worked as a reporter and editor for regional, national, and international newspapers and magazines, as well as in television, in cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.

He later transitioned into academia, teaching journalism and media studies at Elon University and Methodist University before earning a Ph.D. in Communication, Rhetoric and Digital Media from North Carolina State University. He retired in 2024 as professor emeritus from St. Augustine’s University.

Trigoboff and his wife, Debra, a retired nurse practitioner, moved to Front Royal two years ago and have since become active in the community.

He said he hopes the workshop will help people see writing as a skill that anyone can develop.

“The blank page isn’t your enemy,” Trigoboff said. “It can be your friend and a great means of self-expression. You just have to be willing to start.”

Registration for the workshop is available through the Samuels Public Library events calendar.

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