Menu
Log in
Forgot password

Login to see member resources.

Log in


Breaking All The Rules? With Dwayne Ratleff

  • Saturday, January 03, 2026
  • 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • The Mizell Center, 480 S Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Registration

  • Premium Membership includes free entry to all General Speaker Meetings, Insider Workshops and Writing Labs for the year. You must be logged in to select this option.
  • Standard or Student members who register on or before the date of the preceding month’s Insider Workshop will receive an early registration discount of $25 off the regular $80 fee. You must be logged in to select this option.
  • Standard and Student members are provided a la carte access to Insider Workshops at the Member rate of $80. You must be logged in to select this option.
  • Non-Members pay $155 for each Insider Workshop. Please note that if you choose to join the Guild before registering for this event you will pay a $75 Membership fee, and then the Member rate of $80 for the event—the same $155 total, but you’ll then gain all the benefits of membership in the Guild (including the Membership rate of $80 at any future Workshop).
  • Reserved for facilitators only.
Register


Announcing our next In-Person Workshop

Breaking All The Rules? 

By: Dwayne Ratleff


About Dwayne Ratleff

As a product of the segregated school system of Baltimore and a former special ed student, Dwayne never dreamed he would learn to read a book, let alone write several.

The theme of much of his writing is turning disadvantage into an advantage. One of his main mantras is, “Those who break all of the rules build, enhance, and make better all that sits still and stagnates."

Presentation Overview:

Why do we write, and who do we write for? This session explores the responsibilities writers hold to both their readers and themselves while challenging conventions with confidence. We’ll examine how to use ethnic language and dialect authentically, navigate criticism from readers of different backgrounds, and embrace writing for a smaller — but deeply connected — audience. Writers will leave with tools to break rules purposefully, respond to critique with openness, and craft stories that resonate with honesty and courage.

Takeaways:

  1. What are our responsibilities to our readers and to ourselves?
  2. Ethnic language and dialect in writing.
  3. Learning to accept constructive criticism from those who are unaware. 
  4. Writing for a smaller audience.

 REGISTER

To receive a full refund minus a $25 cancellation processing fee, attendees must cancel their registration 5 days before the event. No refunds will be given after that time. To cancel your registration, go to palmspringswritersguild.org and click on the blue icon at the top right of any page. Enter user name and password and click "LOG IN". On the next screen click "My event registrations". Select event and cancel registration. 

We may take photos and/or videos at any of our events for promotional purposes.

Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. 

Ready to become a member of the Palm Springs Writers Guild? Please click here.

Event Contact: Dak Kopec

Email: DakKopec@mac.com