Carlene integrated a diverse group of strangers into a tightly knit group of working writers, respectful critics, and caring friends.  I gained a great deal of insightful comments on the assigned pieces in class.  Her generosity goes well beyond what the University of Washington expects of instructors.  Her ability to motive us to pursue writing, in spite of its challenges, topped off the enjoyment and profit from her instruction.

--Jim Tracy, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology
University of Washington

Carlene brings exuberance and kindness to the writing process.  Her ability to honestly engage the tender writer's heart without bruising it is indeed a special gift.  I benefited greatly from her willingness to learn alongside her students while also bringing the depth of her own invaluable writing experience.  She is a brave writer, wonderful woman and valued mentor.  

Kayce S. Huglett, MA LMHC

 

Working with Carlene helped me take my writing out of the “someday” stage and into the “now.”  She conveyed her practical experience with the world of publishing in a way few others do—with genuine warmth, pluck, and optimism.  Even beyond her own example of setting truth to story, Carlene showed me how to celebrate and enjoy an all-out permission to write. The atmosphere of trust, exploration, and honesty that she creates with people keeps me warm—and writing—to this day.

--Amy Scott
Public Relations Consultant

As a writing coach, Carlene is thoughtful, intelligent, patient, and perceptive and has an intuitive feel for each prospective author’s voice and underlying strengths. 

--John Andrew
MBA Harvard

Carlene is an accomplished writer, yet she extends generous encouragement to budding writers.  Because of her enthusiasm for my writing, I gained the confidence to bring forth stories that I thought were long buried in my past.  She helped me hone my writing skills by showing me places where one word more or a few words less might sharpen my stories.  I highly recommend her services and consider myself very lucky to be one of her students. 

--Laura Rankin
Homemaker

Many of my friends and colleagues marveled at my stories of growing up with a mom who was a Policewoman.  I would also tell them stories about my career as a police Hostage Negotiator.  Carlene’s memoir class instructed, guided, and challenged me in a way that allowed me to put my story-telling into a written form.  For this I will always be grateful and in her debt.

--Marty Bisch
Hostage Negotiator
Seattle Police Department

Carlene Cross is simply a first-rate instructor.  She’s a great teacher, engaging, enthusiastic, and supportive, without being a pushover.  Step by step she helped us recognize our own abilities, develop new skills, and build on a solid foundation.  It is a marvel how Carlene has made a safe place for us to communicate.  My perspective and my world have been profoundly changed by this class.   I’ve gained so much more confidence and expertise as a result of this course than I could ever have imagined.

--Marion Kee
Presidential Scholar
Philosophy Instructor
Carnegie Mellon University