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Upcoming Event: Steve Gamel Writing Workshops, Class No. 18

  • Writer: Steve Gamel
    Steve Gamel
  • Jul 17
  • 4 min read
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Have you ever been accused of writing like Yoda? I haven't met a single person, including attendees at my Steve Gamel Writing Workshops, who doesn't love the diminutive but all-powerful Jedi Grand Master from Star Wars fame. His wisdom was unmatched, and his pearls of truth are forever etched in our minds. But that doesn't mean we should write like him.


While "Powerful you have become, the dark side I sense in you" works in a galaxy far, far away, it is a classic example of the dreaded passive voice. And guess what? It doesn’t exactly translate well in a book, blog post, or article—especially when clarity and directness are key.


In my next workshop, I'll explain more about what passive voice looks like, why active voice is superior, and how mastering this one skill can dramatically improve the way you write.


We’ll break down real examples, rewrite sentences on the fly, and walk away with tools to make your writing stronger, sharper, and more engaging.


Don’t miss your chance to sharpen your skills and take your writing to the next level.


What: Steve Gamel Writing Workshops

Topic: STOP Writing Like Yoda: Active vs. Passive Voice

When: Thursday, August 14, 2025 (6-7:30 p.m.)

Where: Seeden Club in Argyle

Cost: $59 per person


Thank you to our sponsor, PointBank.


Active vs. Passive Voice—Why This Matters!

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You're going to have to attend the August class to earn your Jedi Knight status, but simply put, passive voice is where the subject of your sentence receives the action of the verb. Conversely, active voice is where the subject receives the action of the verb.


No offense to Yoda, this means I'd have to edit his famed quote above to read like this:


"You are powerful. I sense the dark side in you."


Granted, Yoda still makes the passive voice sound awesome! But still ...


As I said in my book, Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion For The Written Word, passive voice dilutes the action in whatever you're writing. Readers appreciate active voice more because each sentence is stronger and more impactful. They can read with ease, and they can feel the emotion in your writing.


Here's a quick book excerpt to help drive the point home:

I fully subscribe to the belief that if you focus on good, clean writing at its basic level – perfect grammar; an active, powerful voice; a varied sentence structure and word choice – the story you're trying to tell falls into place. You eliminate all the riffraff that bogs down your writing and makes your message harder to relay to the reader. Conversely, the reader finds your writing easy and enjoyable to read. They can't wait to flip to the next page. Their focus is only on the information they're reading about.

I'm not God's gift to writing, but I've learned a thing or two over the years, and my message to other writers is this: Focus on the basic mechanics of writing, including active voice. It usually leads to much better writing. Your readers deserve it—and so do you.


Why Attend Writing Workshops?

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You can join any writers' group on social media. But in my humble opinion, nothing beats connecting with like-minded people in person. If you live in or around Denton County, we are building a community of writers and writing enthusiasts right here in your own backyard. This is your chance to meet people with the same interests as you, network, get feedback on what you've been writing, and learn a thing or two from someone who has been in the writing game for nearly three decades.


I've got plenty to share because I've always believed the worst thing any professional writer can do is spend decades perfecting their craft only to keep all those trade secrets, tips, tricks, and life hacks to themselves. We should educate and inspire the next generation, relying on our successes and failures to share what works, what doesn't, and how to steer others in the right direction.


It's the reason I wrote my book and started these writing workshops. 


For now, these writing workshops are in-person events only. Space is also limited. So, if you're interested in joining us, please don't wait until the last minute. The QR code/link to register is in the image above, and the cost is $59 per person.


The cost covers light snacks, an excellent presentation, Q&A time, and networking. I will also have copies of my book available for purchase.


Thank you for reading!


STEVE GAMEL is the President & Owner of Edit This®, a writing and editing services company in Denton, TX. He is also a consultant, coach, and the author of Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion for the Written Word. Steve handles anything involving the written word. Give him a call today to help give your business a clear voice. 



 
 
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