Creative Writing Classes

“The world about us would be desolate except for the world within us”
~ Wallace Stevens

Bring your creative license and explore the possibilities of written expression! In these classes, we discuss different narrative elements and forms as we approach writing with a creative instinct and critical eye. Genre experimentation, improvisational composition, and exemplary prose and poetry guide us on our literary journey. Recent topics include: character building, flash and speculative fiction, memory and loss, image-based writing, “choose your own adventure stories,” and “poetry is/poetry ain’t.” These classes are fun, engaging, and inspiring, and designed to help participants discover new vistas for self and creative expression.

I adapt my curriculum to the composition, experience, and general disposition of each class and offer classes for children, teens, and adults. The animating spirit and intention driving these efforts remains the same regardless of age group: to provide a safe, encouraging, and dynamic space for reflection, inspiration, and connection. Please keep reading for specific course and event descriptions and logistical information!

Please read below for course description and schedule.

WE ALL WRITE: CREATIVE WRITING CLASSES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

NEW SESSION STARTING NOVEMBER 15 2024!

New and returning students are welcome for 6 months of creative joy, inspiration, and community-building!

Course description: The class’s emphasis is on building creative energy, confidence, and collaboration. It is open to youth of all levels, abilities, and backgrounds. We learn about and experiment with different styles and genres of writing, inform and stretch our perspectives on the world, discover new words and find our voices, and mutually grow as writers and individuals. I adapt assignments and class exercises to align with students’ interests and capabilities, while gently leading them to uncover new ideas and assets. We do some writing in class, but outside work is expected. My approach is supportive, co-creative, nimble, and strengths-based.

Meeting Time: Fridays 10:30 am–12:00 pm
Age group: 9 and up
Session start: Friday, November 15, 2024
Session end: Friday, May 9, 2024
No class: 11/29; 12/20; 12/27; 2/21; 4/4
Course fee: $1,000.00. If paying in a lump sum is not possible, we can set up a payment plan.
I am a charter school vendor for Hickman, Valley View, Visions, and Vista Oaks.

Course themes and projects may include:

– Choose Your Own Adventure stories

– Wordless picture books

– Fairy tale retellings

– Cookbook/oral history project

– Media literacy + class newspaper

– Poetry

– Zine making

**Note: I typically wait until the class comes together to determine – with student input – what projects would work best for a given session.

“A writer is a writer not because she writes well and easily, because she has amazing talent, because everything she does is golden. In my view, a writer is a writer because even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any signs of promise, you keep writing anyway.”
~ Junot Diaz