Young Writers Workshop

A Workshop for Young Writers

Writing is a verb, and writing is also a noun. This four-week workshop for kids ages 8-18 emphasizes practice over product. Through a series of open, generative prompts workshop participants will create short pieces of writing and have the opportunity to voluntarily share this work with others in a small group setting. We'll also explore our reactions to one another's writing - as reflection rather than critique. The focus will be on writing in community and the experience of releasing words into the world.

Each week, writers will participate in a 5-minute free write, as well as one or two writing exercises. These exercises are aimed to help promote the craft of writing, and to think about how they write differently.

Details for Grown-Ups

This four-week course is $75 per student, meeting weekly on Wednesdays, from 4:00-5:00 for 8-12 year olds, and 5:00-6:00 for teens. The class will run from July 29th to August 19th. To register, please visit our store and sign-up. All supplies for the class are included.

Space is limited to 8 students for our first course, though we aim to add more sessions if there is interest from the community.

Some of you may already know our instructor, David Higel, who is a tutor at Mathnasium in Sherwood. He is also a poet and writer!

Parents will be required to sign a waiver, as some classes may venture on walks to write about what we observe in our environment. Our final class will likely meet at the Sherwood Library or a nearby park.

Workshop Outline

Our workshop is an opportunity to help budding writers develop their writing process and explore creative methods in developing their work. This is an example of what a student can expect from each session, though the specific exercises may vary slightly, depending on time and student interest.

Session 1

New beginnings, express yourself in what writing means to you.

  • Introductions

  • 5-Minute Free Write

  • Writing Exercise 1.1

    • What brought you here?

  • Writing Exercise 1.2

    • What makes someone a writer?

    • When do you become a writer?

Session 2

Observing, using your senses, and thinking about them differently.

  • 5-Minute Free Write

  • Writing Exercise 2.1

    • Write to the five senses

  • Writing Exercise 2.2

    • Synaesthesia

Session 3

Character development and exploration.

  • 5-Minute Free Write

  • Writing Exercise 3.1

    • The creation of character

  • Writing Exercise 3.2

    • Swap characters and develop a narrative.

Session 4

Experimental and found writing, the closing chapter.

  • 5-Minute Free Write

  • Writing Exercise 4.1

    • Cut-ups

  • Writing Exercise 4.2

    • How did you develop during the workshop?

  • Outroductions