Ran Weber's Online Writing Workshop: "If you had told me 15 years ago I'd publish a book, it would have seemed surreal"

If you've followed the books recently hitting the market, you surely noticed the vast amount. Dozens of new books are published each week, and publishing houses report an increase in authors, far more than ever before.

"In recent years, a revolution in writing has taken place," author Ran Weber agrees. "It's a growing revolution. In the past, writing and publishing a book was the domain of a few, only through major publishers. Nowadays, many have learned the method and know how to publish independently or digitally, which significantly reduces costs. They've changed the rules of the game, and today anyone who wants can publish a book in some form, on their own."

According to Weber, the result is that many people who were previously unable to publish books now can easily. "It could be a book of short stories or a mystery novel, a scholarly text like Torah insights and philosophical ideas, or a personal book for a small audience, like a family story. The field has completely opened up."

Is this good or bad?

"Of course, there's a positive side since people can express themselves more and bring out their inner creative forces. But there's another side to consider. In the past, with only major publishers, the attention to writing was much greater, and the bar for publishing was very high. The author knew they had to strive in their writing, and much time was invested in editing—be it linguistic, literary, or proofreading. This filtering ensured that only the best books were published. Now, a lot of content is released without adequate editing, and sometimes, there’s little thought on structure, characters, or plot."

The Problem: Lack of Suitable Courses

This is precisely where Ran Weber steps in. Weber began writing a little over a decade ago, after his return to observance. "The books I wrote mainly came from my desire to share spiritual ideas and insights that I learn and teach in a way that's accessible to any Jew," he explains. "When asked for whom I write, I often smile and say: 'For my 15-year-old self'. That's the absolute truth because, through my books, I try to reach the young man I was 15 years ago, with doubts, questions, and thoughts. I aim to provide spiritual depth, answers, joy, and love. To connect readers to tradition and the inner teachings of the Torah."

When Ran Weber started writing a decade ago, he encountered a significant lack of practical tools to bring his big ideas into reality. "I had an abundance of ideas, perhaps even too many," he explains, "but many did not come to fruition. I felt a lack of professional skills. I found myself trying to teach myself how to write through self-study, reading various articles, working with literary language experts, editors, and much trial and error."

He did not attend writing courses. "When I looked for such courses as someone who observes mitzvot and is in a return process, they didn’t suit me. If I didn't want to undermine myself, I'd have to avoid them."

But why is it so crucial for the courses to be spiritually suitable? Isn’t writing mainly professional?

"It's not exactly like that," claims Weber. "Firstly, in professional courses, they often learn in a mixed-gender setting, which can be halachically problematic. Additionally, there's the spiritual issue because writing workshops involve a high level of personal sharing and interaction within the group, which can be spiritually problematic and risky. In the literary world, there's a tendency to draw people towards darker areas, contrary to Torah perspectives. I mean genuinely flawed views and perspectives pervading many academic settings, as much of the literary world draws from certain philosophies. When I investigated these courses, I immediately realized they wouldn't suit me, so I learned everything independently."

Believing in People

Weber notes that in recent years, more and more people who have encountered his books like 'Revelation', 'The Secret of the Good Point', 'Ani and En Riding Bikes', and others, approach him. "They come to me, some saying: 'I have a really good idea for a book that could be very important to the Jewish people. I want to give it to you to write.'

"Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately," he notes, "I can't agree, because I have a long list of books I want to publish, or that are at various writing stages. But on the other hand, I have a great desire to help these people so they can also publish their books. I want to pass on everything I painstakingly discovered to each person, and help them improve at their starting point. It's important to emphasize that I can't make anyone a talented writer, but I can provide others the tools I discovered, researched, and learned over the years, to give them a springboard and make the writing process smoother and easier."

There's also something else Weber aims to convey in his workshops: "Parallel to the field of writing, in recent years I've also been conducting classes and workshops related to the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov and Hasidism. They greatly encourage seeing the good, which is crucially important for aspiring writers. It’s a layer often lacking in workshops from other approaches. I personally encountered writing guides that try to teach writing but are so critical. They might even write to the budding author: 'Why bother publishing a book?' when they need to hear the exact opposite, encouragement and support. I strive to encourage each participant throughout the process and provide the strength to face writing challenges. It’s essential for people to feel their voice is relevant, that they can and are capable."

"I truly and sincerely believe in people," he adds, "It's clear to me that many have the potential and, even more so—if you had asked me 15 years ago about the likelihood I'd publish a book, I would've thought you were joking, because the gap from me to writing seemed endless, and the gap from writing to publishing a full book—even more endless. Yet, reality exceeded all imagination. I think there are quite a few people around with the full ability and potential to produce remarkable results."

Nonetheless, Weber emphasizes a fundamental and important point: "Not everyone who decides to attend my writing workshop will be able to publish a book. But the mere ability they'll gain to write and express themselves is significant in itself. Studies show that when a person engages in emotional writing for twenty minutes a day, it changes their entire mood and affects their soul. It's a form of sharing and therapy. If they persist, the benefits are certainly supreme."

These days, a digital workshop by Ran Weber has opened through the Jewish Campus of the Hidabroot site. The workshop includes 11 lessons. Purchasers of the workshop will receive three special bonuses, as advantages at no cost: the book 'The Officer’s Computer' in digital version, a personal conversation with Ran Weber, and the book 'The Quick Writing Guide' in digital version. Recommended!