what to do in creative writing club

Join the Club: Creative Writing Club Explained

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

What is Creative Writing Club?

Benefits of joining a creative writing club, activities and workshops offered by creative writing clubs, how to find and join a creative writing club, tips for maximizing your experience in a creative writing club, advantages of joining creative writing clubs:, opportunities for publication:, networking and building connections within a creative writing club, frequently asked questions, future outlook.

Our Creative Writing Club is a community of passionate writers who come together to share their love for storytelling and hone their craft. Whether you’re new to writing or a seasoned wordsmith, our club offers a supportive and inspiring environment where you can explore your creativity, develop your writing skills, and connect with fellow writers.

In our club, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Participate in writing exercises and workshops: Join us as we engage in various writing activities designed to stimulate your imagination and develop your writing techniques.
• Receive feedback on your work: Share your writing with other club members and receive constructive feedback to help you improve your storytelling abilities.
• Explore different genres and styles: Be exposed to a wide range of writing styles and genres through our discussions and workshops, allowing you to expand your writing horizons.
• Connect with like-minded individuals: Forge meaningful connections with fellow writers who share your passion for the written word. Exchange ideas, collaborate on projects, and support each other on your writing journeys.

Join our Creative Writing Club and unleash your creativity while growing as a writer. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, feedback, or simply the camaraderie of other writers, we welcome you to become a part of our vibrant community.

Introduction to the World of Imagination:

Joining a creative writing club opens up a world of imagination and possibility. It offers a platform for aspiring writers to explore their creativity and develop their writing skills among a supportive community of like-minded individuals. Through engaging workshops, group discussions, and constructive feedback sessions, members can broaden their horizons by stepping into the shoes of various characters, exploring different genres, and experimenting with diverse writing styles. The club serves as a safe space for writers to express themselves freely, fostering a sense of self-discovery and personal growth.

• Creative Inspiration: The creative writing club provides an environment that inspires and motivates its members to pursue their writing ambitions. By regularly interacting with fellow writers and sharing ideas, participants can tap into a wealth of creativity and inspiration. The club’s members often engage in stimulating writing exercises and prompts, sparking new ideas and breaking through writer’s block. This constant flow of creative energy nurtures a fertile ground for imagination to flourish.
• Constructive Feedback: One of the greatest advantages of joining a creative writing club is the opportunity for constructive feedback. By participating in workshops and critique sessions, members can receive valuable insights and suggestions to improve their writing. This feedback is invaluable in identifying strengths and weaknesses, polishing writing skills, and refining one’s literary voice. With the constructive guidance of fellow writers, club members can gain a deeper understanding of the art of storytelling and hone their abilities to captivate readers.

Joining a creative writing club offers an exciting array of activities and workshops that nourish your writing skills and ignite your imagination. Here are some of the captivating opportunities that await you:

• Writing Prompts: Get those creative juices flowing with a myriad of thought-provoking prompts designed to push your boundaries and inspire unique story ideas. From surreal scenarios to character-driven dilemmas, these prompts will challenge you to explore new genres and writing styles.
• Feedback Sessions: Engage in constructive discussions with fellow writers who are enthusiastic about fine-tuning their craft. Share your work-in-progress and receive valuable feedback, allowing you to identify strengths, improve weak points, and develop your unique voice in a supportive environment.
• Guest Speaker Events: Attend exclusive talks by established authors, editors, and literary agents. Gain insight into their writing processes, listen to captivating anecdotes from their career journeys, and learn valuable tips and tricks to enhance your own craft. These events offer a unique opportunity to interact with industry professionals and expand your network within the literary world.

But that’s not all! Creative writing clubs provide a platform for various enriching workshops that cover a range of topics, such as:

• Character Development: Learn techniques to create compelling and well-rounded characters that resonate with your readers.
• Plot Structure: Explore different plot structures and discover how to add suspense, build tension, and craft captivating story arcs.
• Worldbuilding: Dive into the intricacies of building fictional worlds, from designing unique settings to establishing believable rules and cultures.
• Editing and Revision: Acquire essential skills for revising and polishing your work, ensuring your writing shines before it reaches an audience.

By immersing yourself in these activities and workshops, creative writing clubs provide an inspiring community of like-minded individuals who share your passion for storytelling. Joining a club today will not only improve your writing skills but also offer a supportive space to nurture your creativity and connect with fellow writers on your journey toward literary success.

Joining a creative writing club can be a fantastic way to connect with like-minded individuals, improve your writing skills, and get valuable feedback on your work. If you’re wondering how to find and join the perfect club for you, here are a few tips:

1. Research Online: Start by doing a quick search on the internet to find creative writing clubs in your area. Look for clubs that align with your interests and goals. Check out their websites or social media pages to get an idea of their activities and the type of writing they focus on.

2. Local Libraries and Bookstores: Visit your local library or bookstore and ask if they have any creative writing clubs or if they can recommend any in the area. These establishments often have community bulletin boards where clubs advertise their meetings or workshops, so keep an eye out for any notices.

3. Online Writing Communities: Don’t limit yourself to physical clubs! There is a wealth of online writing communities where you can connect with writers from all around the world. Platforms like Meetup, Goodreads, and Reddit have dedicated spaces for writers to share their work, give feedback, and even arrange virtual meetups or workshops.

4. Attend Open Mic Nights: Open mic nights are not only a great way to showcase your own writing talent, but they can also be an opportunity to meet other writers and learn about local creative writing clubs. Strike up conversations with fellow writers during these events, and you might find yourself on the path to discovering the perfect club to join.

Ready to dive into the world of creative writing? Joining a creative writing club is one of the best ways to sharpen your skills and connect with fellow writers who share your passion. To ensure you make the most out of your experience, here are some invaluable tips to keep in mind:

• Embrace diversity: One of the most exciting aspects of a creative writing club is the diversity of writing styles, genres, and perspectives. Embrace this diversity! Engage in discussions and workshops with an open mind, appreciating the unique approaches of your fellow writers. This exposure will not only broaden your own writing horizons but also foster a supportive and inclusive community within the club.
• Consistency is key: To truly maximize your experience in a creative writing club, consistency is crucial. Attend meetings regularly and actively participate in writing exercises, critiques, and group discussions. Consistency not only helps you stay accountable in your writing journey but also allows you to build strong connections with other club members. Remember, the more you invest in the club, the more you’ll benefit from the invaluable insights, feedback, and inspiration that your fellow writers can offer.

Exploring Opportunities for Publication through Creative Writing Clubs

Joining a creative writing club can be a fantastic way to unlock opportunities for publication and share your written work with a wider audience. In these clubs, you’ll find a supportive community of fellow writers who understand the struggles and joys of the creative process. Together, you can cultivate your skills, gain valuable feedback, and discover a variety of avenues for showcasing your talent.

One invaluable benefit of creative writing clubs is the opportunity to participate in writing competitions and literary magazines. Many clubs organize regular contests, providing you with a chance to submit your work and potentially win recognition for your creativity. Additionally, these clubs often collaborate with schools, local organizations, and literary publications, increasing your exposure and facilitating potential publication. By participating in these activities, you not only enhance your writing abilities but also establish connections within the writing community.

• Gain inspiration and motivation from like-minded writers
• Receive constructive feedback to improve your writing skills
• Expand your network by connecting with professionals in the literary field
• Participate in writing workshops and learn new techniques
• Access valuable resources and recommendations for editors and agents
• Submit your writing to contests organized by the club
• Showcase your work in club-sponsored literary magazines
• Collaborate with local organizations and schools for publishing opportunities
• Connect with established literary publications through club affiliations
• Explore self-publishing options with the support and guidance of fellow club members

Being a part of a creative writing club not only allows you to explore your writing skills, but it also provides an exciting opportunity to network and build connections with like-minded individuals. Building connections within the club can open up doors to new perspectives, collaborations, and even potential publishing opportunities. Here are some ways you can network and build connections within the creative writing club:

• Participate in club events and activities: Attending club events like writing workshops, open mic nights, or book discussions is a fantastic way to interact with fellow writers and exchange ideas. Engage in conversations, actively participate, and be open to receiving feedback on your work. These events provide the perfect platform to connect with writers who share your passion.
• Form writing critique groups: Establishing a writing critique group within the club can be highly beneficial. This allows you to regularly share your work with a smaller, dedicated group of writers who can provide valuable feedback and help you improve your writing skills. By actively engaging in critique sessions, you not only strengthen your bonds with other writers but also enhance your own writing abilities.
• Utilize online platforms: Many creative writing clubs have online platforms or social media groups where members can connect and interact outside of physical meetings. Take advantage of these platforms to share your work, provide feedback to others, initiate discussions, and seek advice. The online space provides a conducive environment for networking and building connections with writers beyond the boundaries of the physical club.

In conclusion, can significantly enrich your writing journey. By actively participating in club events, forming writing critique groups, and utilizing online platforms, you can foster meaningful relationships with fellow writers, gain valuable insights, and open doors to exciting writing opportunities.

Q: What is a creative writing club? A: A creative writing club is a group of individuals who share a passion for writing and come together to foster creativity, hone their writing skills, and receive feedback on their work.

Q: Why should I join a creative writing club? A: Joining a creative writing club can be a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow writers, gain inspiration, and receive constructive criticism on your writing. It provides a supportive community that can help you grow and improve as a writer.

Q: How does a creative writing club work? A: The structure of creative writing clubs can vary, but most typically include regular meetings where members share their writing and receive feedback. Some clubs may also host workshops, writing exercises, guest speakers, or even organize writing competitions or publishing opportunities.

Q: Do I need to have previous writing experience to join a creative writing club? A: Absolutely not! Creative writing clubs welcome writers of all levels, from beginners to experienced authors. The focus is on nurturing creativity and providing a space where writers can develop their skills, regardless of their experience level.

Q: Can joining a creative writing club improve my writing skills? A: Yes, joining a creative writing club can significantly enhance your writing skills. Through regular feedback and critique sessions, you’ll receive valuable input from fellow writers, helping you to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. The exposure to different writing styles and techniques shared by club members can also inspire and enhance your own writing.

Q: How can I find a creative writing club to join? A: There are several ways to find a creative writing club. You can check with your local community centers, libraries, or universities, as they often host such clubs. Alternatively, online platforms and forums dedicated to writing can provide information about virtual writing clubs where you can participate from anywhere.

Q: What are the benefits of joining a creative writing club? A: Joining a creative writing club offers numerous benefits. Apart from receiving valuable feedback on your work, you’ll find a supportive community of like-minded individuals who share your passion for writing. This sense of camaraderie can boost your motivation and provide a platform for networking and collaboration with fellow writers.

Q: Is it necessary to share my writing with others in a creative writing club? A: Sharing your writing with others is typically encouraged in a creative writing club but is not mandatory. Many clubs provide a safe and nurturing environment where you can share your work and receive valuable feedback. However, if you prefer to simply absorb the discussions and critique of others without sharing your own writing, that is usually respected as well.

Q: Can I join multiple creative writing clubs? A: Yes, you can join multiple creative writing clubs if you wish. This can provide you with a wider range of perspectives and feedback to help improve your writing. However, do keep in mind that joining too many clubs might divide your time and attention, so find the balance that works best for you.

Q: What is the most important thing to remember when joining a creative writing club? A: The most important thing to remember when joining a creative writing club is to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to learn and grow. Be respectful towards your fellow club members, embrace constructive criticism, and actively participate in discussions and activities. This will help you make the most of your experience and nurture your growth as a writer.

In conclusion, joining a creative writing club offers a supportive community, valuable feedback, and endless opportunities for growth as a writer. Explore your creativity and meet like-minded individuals today!

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How to Start a Creative Writing Club

Last Updated: March 3, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA . Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine. This article has been viewed 35,233 times.

Do you have a passion for creative writing that you want to take to the next level? A great way to grow your writing skills is to start a creative writing club, where you can share your work with others who are invested in cultivating the same craft. Working with people who share similar interests to you is both fun and incredibly rewarding!

Things You Should Know

• If you’re a student, talk to your favorite English teacher and ask them to sponsor the club; the odds are extremely high that they’ll be thrilled by the idea!
• If you’re running the club, remember that different members are likely there for unique reasons—include a variety of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and screenwriting activities.
• For a younger crowd, include a writing activity with every meeting and encourage members to share their work—be super supportive!
• Make sure that if you’re doing any workshop-style discussions that the members understand that critiquing someone’s work does not mean criticizing them as people.
• Clubs with older members will likely attract a good number of experienced writers, so you may want to start meetings by asking members if they’ve been working on anything they’d like feedback on before going into activities, lectures, or discussions.

Forming Your Club

• Possible locations include your house, public park, an open classroom, or anywhere else you can meet and converse without disturbing others.

• Word of mouth: Invite friends and acquaintances, and ask them to spread the word and bring their friends! Talk openly and excitedly about your club: your enthusiasm will help draw the interest of others. It’s a good idea to invite very broadly to begin with: the people who are truly invested in your club will show up and stick around.
• Posters and fliers: Design a cool flier and post it around school or your workplace! This is a nice way to draw attention to your club.
• Social media: For example, you can create a Facebook Event for the first meeting and share it widely with your friends!

• If you do decide to ask someone to be your advisor, be considerate of their time and respectful when making your request. Sending them an introductory email explaining your plans (in as much detail as you can) will allow them to make an informed decision. It is also courteous to offer to meet in person or talk over the phone/Skype so that they can ask any questions they might have before they make their decision.
• Advisors can be involved in a variety of ways, and this should be a conversation that you have directly with your potential advisor. Will they attend meetings? Will they offer guidance from afar? These are questions that are best to ask early on.

• This is related to possibly need an advisor: some schools require an advisor's signature on club registration forms. Once again, just be sure to research your school, university, or organization's requirements.

Holding for Your First Meeting

• You can choose an icebreaker that is relevant to the theme (if applicable) of your club, or you choose something entirely random. The point of this activity is to lighten the mood and help your members get to know each other and feel more comfortable opening up and sharing their work. Classic icebreakers like " Two Truths and Lie " (where everyone shares two true facts and a lie about themselves, and others guess the fabrication) and the "Name Game" (where each person has to find an adjective to describe themselves that starts with the same letter as their name) can be great simple options. [2] X Research source

• Write about an animal of your choice.
• Open up a dictionary, pick a word, and write what it means to you.
• Create a poem or story that starts with "Hello."
• Write a piece that's inspired by a conversation you've recently overheard.
• Write about something you dread or fear.

• If voting proves too messy (this might be the case, especially if you have many members), an easy and neutral online tool that may help you decide when to hold meetings is doodle.com (or other similar scheduling applications).

• Is your main goal as a group to spark new writing ideas together and actually practice writing during the meetings, or to critique and improve one another's written works? Alternatively, you may want to operate as more of a social/support group for writers, where you talk about your craft and hold one another accountable for your personal writing goals. Decide your focus together, and build that into your mission. [4] X Research source

• Bringing a large sheet of paper and pens (or whiteboard markers if your location has a whiteboard) can be a nice way of involving members in this process. Members can take turns suggesting and writing ideas. You can keep this piece of paper as a reminder for future meetings, or you can take it, type it up, and print it and share copies (or a combination).

Keeping Your Club Going

• It is helpful to bring a notebook to meetings so that new members can share their e-mails and/or phone numbers, and so that you can then add them to any groups or lists.

• It's a good idea to start an e-mail list, a Facebook group, and maybe a group chat so that you can add members and keep them informed and up to date on club meetings and activities. It's all up to you, but clear communication will help your club flourish.

• If you do choose to have writing partnerships be a part of your club structure, you may want to consider assigning writing partners randomly as well as have people change partners periodically. It's a good idea to try to prevent cliques from forming for many reasons: so that no one feels left out, so that members are receiving feedback on their work from multiple perspectives, and so that people are establishing many connections with many different members of different style, backgrounds, and personalities.
• Give members ideas of how to connect with their writing partner. Suggest accessible practices such as, "After you've written your piece, share it with your partner via Google Docs so that you can read each other's work. Then, coordinate a time to meet and discuss one your work in person." Encourage members to do whatever feels most comfortable to them.

• One way to do this is creating and sharing the link to a standing Google Form that is specifically designed for feedback. Creating an anonymous Google Form (or whatever type of digital survey works best for you) will encourage members to voice their opinions. It's good to establish protocol for how this feedback will be dealt with, early on: will you (as the leader) check the responses regularly, and will suggestions be discussed at meetings?
• Another way to gather feedback is to designate an allotted amount of time during meetings to open up the discussion for feedback and suggestions.
• If you and your members do decide that you want to discuss feedback weekly (however you choose to gather it, whether electronically or during meetings), you may also want to discuss the format of this discussion. Will it be an informal discussion? Will people vote? Will it depend on the feedback? These are good points to consider early on when determining club guidelines.

• Let members know what they should bring to the next meeting (i.e. laptop, notebooks, pens, etc.).
• Ideally, set at least a loose agenda for your next meeting, before you wrap up your first one. Your goal should be to get right down to writing and club discussions in your subsequent meetings, now that you've set some ground rules and expectations. [6] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source

Community Q&A

• Bringing snacks can be a fun addition to any meeting. But be sure to communicate any allergens (nuts, dairy, etc.)! This will help incentivize people to come to the meetings, and—particularly if your club is hosted during lunch or after school—makes sure that no one is hungry entirely. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Bringing some extra notebooks and pens to the first meeting (or first few meetings) is always a good idea, just in case someone forgets their own. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Try this fun activity: Pass sheets of paper around so everyone has one. Have everyone write the beginning of a story, pass the sheet to the person on their right, and have them continue the story (then folding the sheet over so the next person can only see the most recently added sentence, not any of the previous sentences). It's sort of like the game "telephone," and you can theme it around a particular topic! Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.writersdigest.com/publishing-insights/7-questions-to-ask-yourself-before-starting-a-writers-group
• ↑ https://icebreakerideas.com/quick-icebreakers/
• ↑ http://thinkwritten.com/365-creative-writing-prompts
• ↑ https://www.inkedvoices.com/writing/types/
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/writing-groups/writing-group-starter-kit/

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• Creative Writing Ideas How To Club

Creative writing – How to nurture your young authors

Get pupils into the scribbling spirit with these ideas for the classroom and after-school clubs…

Get children excited about creative writing and use it to get to know your students better with this advice from teachers and education experts…

Use creative writing to get to know your pupils

How to run your own creative writing club, creative writing year 6 project.

Want to learn more about your class? Just let them write, says teacher Simon Hunt…

It’s remarkable what you can discover as a teacher when children have the freedom to express themselves in their writing.

At the beginning of term, I use creative writing to understand where a child is academically and to help me get to know all the children in my class.  

Why not just give them a test, you ask? Well, you can learn a surprising amount about a child from a piece of their creative writing. 

Interests and passions 

The choice of topics and themes in their writing can unveil children’s interests and passions, which is an incredibly valuable thing to know. Whether it’s street dance, football or dogs, you can use this knowledge to help spark their interest in maths, science, or any other subject by tailoring examples to suit them. 

Emotional expression 

Creative writing also provides an avenue for children to express their emotions and thoughts, which will allow you to understand more about their feelings and concerns. It can unveil a child’s depth of insight and emotional intelligence that they may be hesitant to express verbally. This will really help you choose the right support for them through the school year. 

Confidence and oracy 

Reading aloud is an important part of writing stories, as it gives children the opportunity to practise their oracy skills: pitch, tone, and intonation. And, vitally, hearing them read out loud will allow you to baseline their reading fluency. Presenting their writing to an audience can be very intimidating though, so should be handled sensitively. 

Some children naturally have quieter voices and may avoid volunteering to read aloud, as they are aware that not everyone can hear them. In class, we have a pass-around microphone that children use when reading.

The microphone is connected to a speaker, meaning that everyone can hear them. The simple act of holding the microphone can significantly impact a child’s focus when reading aloud – often serving as a sort of comfort blanket, boosting their confidence.

Ultimately, the important thing to note is that stories are meant to be read and heard, and anything we can do to encourage that nurtures children’s literary and communication skills. 

Imagination and creativity 

Creative writing reveals a child’s imaginative abilities, giving insights into their capacity for original thinking and storytelling. It can be surprising to see the children that excel at this and can help to highlight an aspect of a child’s personality that might otherwise not have come to light until later in the term. 

How to make it work 

If we want children to be excited about creative writing, we have to be too, so think about how you introduce the lesson. 

I often begin by telling my new class about how I felt about writing as a child. I loved reading books, but I struggled at school with spelling and grammar (in fact I still do).

Sharing how creative writing helped me overcome my fear of writing allows me to explain how I realised that what was important was the imagination and creativity I could bring to my story. 

As a published children’s author, I show them the books I’ve written and connect them back to what I learnt at school. I hope this helps them to overcome their worries about spelling and grammar – I’ve found post pandemic that more children feel anxious about ‘getting things wrong’.

Of course SPAG is still incredibly important but in creative writing I really want them to tell me a good story. 

There are so many ways to understand the children in your class and what makes them tick and, as teachers, we’re attuned to gathering this information from day one. However, I think creative writing is one of the best because it gives us the basics but also tells us so much more about the child. 

Simon Hunt is a Year 3 & 4 teacher at an inclusive school in Greater Manchester and education consultant for 500 Words 2023, the UK’s most successful children’s story writing competition hosted on BBC Teach. He also advises on 500 Words Live Lesson, which you can  watch online .

Would you rather fly, or be invisible? Explore endless impossibilities and get pupils into the scribbling spirit with these ideas…

If you could wish for one thing, knowing that it would definitely come true, what would it be? A million pounds? To fly? Talk to animals? Live in a tree house? Travel the world at the click of a finger?

I’ve asked this question hundreds of times to thousands of pupils, and their answers are always imaginative, normally well thought-out, and quite often, impossible . 

I then follow it up with the question, “What if you could experience that thing right here, right now?” Cue eyes widening, ears pricking and backs straightening. “All you need is… a pencil.” 

Creative writing club

Before becoming an author, I ran creative writing clubs in 30 schools a week for almost a decade. I hired over 100 tutors, won some awards, teamed up with publishers to arrange author events, and even had requests from teachers in Europe, Dubai and Australia asking to launch a club in their schools.

There were long waiting lists in almost every setting, and teachers, parents and librarians would ask on a weekly basis, “How have you turned that reluctant reader/writer into someone that actually wants to do more writing after school?”   

Just another writer

The secret? First and foremost, I planned workshops that were FUN. I knew if I enjoyed running them, pupils would enjoy taking part.

I was just another writer in the room who talked about the books I was reading, collaborated on ideas, and asked for feedback on stories in the same way they asked me.

At this point I wasn’t a published author – just someone that loved to invent characters and write about fantastical, magical worlds.

I wrote alongside the students, making mistakes, scribbling over anything I didn’t like, and asking for help whenever I got stuck.

Everyone knew this was just ‘rough’ work. There was no pressure. No marking. No tests. And we didn’t have to share our ideas if we didn’t want to.

Jumping-off points

I genuinely looked forward to every single workshop I ran, and I know the students felt the same when they came racing into the classroom and didn’t want to leave at the end (yes, even the ones who ‘hated’ writing to begin with!).  

Of course, I couldn’t rely on pupils simply coming up with new ideas each week for enjoyment. I had to provide them with inspiration, jumping-off points, and exciting writing hooks, too.

For this, I turned to the experts – children’s authors. I chose five ‘Authors of the Term’ that I knew would enthuse and inspire the students, and designed workshops around their books.

This was always a fun part of the process – I looked for books that had wide appeal, simple concepts, and an excitable element that made my inner child say ‘ oooh!’.  Here are a few examples . . . 

Writing for pleasure

I used Abi Elphinstone’s Rumblestar to write fast-paced adventure stories. We plotted our adventures on maps, devised the main action in ‘cloud planners’, and focused on exciting ‘world-crossing moments’ to start our stories.

At Halloween, I chose books like Guy Bass’ Stitch Head and Joseph Coelho’s Zombierella , and ended each workshop with a spooky storytelling session where we turned off the lights, closed the blinds, and sat on the floor as if we were gathered around a campfire!  

The most successful workshops were the simplest. I used L.D. Lapinski’s Strangeworlds series and copied what happened to the protagonist when she jumped inside a suitcase and travelled to another world.

Pupils planned their new setting, focused on the five senses, and described the first thing they noticed when they arrived.

Their stories were thrilling, fast-paced, hugely descriptive, and completely individual, because they had the freedom to take their ideas in any direction they chose. 

I normally scheduled two sessions around each book – the first session involved planning and starting stories (or poems / diary entries / letters, etc), and the second session involved extending, improving, or continuing them.

I also added one ‘paint a picture’ session (using images for inspiration) and ‘free writing’ at the end of each term to give pupils a chance to finish their favourite piece of work.   

Remember, if you want to boost writing for pleasure, pupils should know that they can write about anything. Nothing is off limits, impossible or ‘wrong’.

And if you’re not sure how to start your first session, why not ask your pupils that if there was one thing they could wish for, knowing that it would definitely come true… what would it be?

Creative writing activities

1) distraction.

Beware: pupils love this game so much, they might ask to play it every week! The idea is simple. Children write for 10 minutes, in silence, and if they speak / laugh / stop writing for an extended period of time, they get a ‘strike’.

If a table gets three strikes, they risk not being allowed to read their work out. The twist? It’s your job to distract them!

Shake tables and shout ‘EARTHQUAAAAKE!’, steal their pens, use rulers as drumsticks, play songs they’ll want to sing along to, bust out the YMCA and get caught by a bemused headteacher.

Between the giggling and dancing in their seats, pupils will write so much in these 10 minutes, and it’s a great way to get them writing without overthinking.

2) Where am I?

Give students a setting (e.g. a library / the moon / horse stables / a rocket ship) and challenge them to describe it without saying where it is.

They should focus on the five senses. They must give at least three clues before the class can guess where it is, and the person who guesses correctly gets the next go.

The winner is the person who gets the most correct answers or the person that comes up with your favourite description.

3) Five-minute challenge

Tell pupils that most adults can write two lines in one minute, and then challenge them to write 10 lines in five!

Give constant time reminders, walk around the room shouting out ideas or words of encouragement, and watch their competitiveness soar.

This is a great game to play if, like me, you spend most of the lesson talking about books and story ideas, and realise there’s not much writing time left!

4) One-word game

This game is a great way to warm up imaginations at the start of a workshop. Ask pupils to stand behind their chairs and give them an opening line such as, ‘I was walking through the haunted castle when . . .’.

Walk (actually, it’s more of a run) around the room, pointing at each pupil in turn, and asking them to add one word to the story.

It must make sense and they have three seconds to answer. If they can’t think of a word, if it doesn’t make sense, or if they take too long, they are out and must sit down.

The winner is the last person standing. Note: when they get really good, try introducing a one-second hesitation rule – it’s hilarious!

5) What’s your problem?

Remind students that every story needs a problem to make it exciting.

Then ask them to stand behind their chairs and each give one problem like, ‘aliens invaded Earth’ or ‘I broke a fingernail’.

Problems can be big or small, but they must give an answer in three seconds, and they can’t repeat anything that’s already been said. The winner is the last person standing. 

Mel Taylor-Bessent is the author of The Christmas Carrolls and the director of the award-winning educational website, Authorfy . See more of Mel’s work at meltaylorbessent.com . Browse more creative writing prompts .

Combine twisting tongues and paperback publishing to produce an exciting writing project that allows pupils to make their very own book …

Have you ever tried to get your class excited about a writing exercise, only for them to pipe up with “But what’s the point?”.

We’ve all been there, and it can be incredibly frustrating when you don’t have an answer lined up.  

Well, with this project, the outcome is both evident and impressive!

As part of a workshop, we decided to show children the amazing process of publishing, while adding in some humour, and – of course – essential literacy skills…  

We visited Helen and her Y6 class for a morning, and explained to the children that we would do some writing that would lead to the publication of their very own paperback book.

We’d act as their agents, editors and publisher; they would have full control over all other aspects of the process.   

The class settled on tongue twisters as our subject, and began by inviting children to try out some old favourites.

After much twisting of tongues and accompanying laughter, we showed the children probably the best-known English example: the one featuring Peter Piper. Most knew the first line but didn’t know there were three more: 

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper.  

A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.  

If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,  

Where’s the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?   

We challenged the class to compose 26 brand-new twisters, each following the  alliteration  pattern of that original but finding their own vocabulary.  

Dictionary skills

Helen organised the class into pairs or threes, and each group was given two letters of the alphabet to work on, ensuring no group got two of the trickier letters.

Armed with dictionaries, the children got to work, and by breaktime had produced some impressively inventive twisters.

Here’s an example, cleverly coping with one particularly difficult letter: 

Xavier Xmas x-rayed an extra-terrestrial xylophone.  

An extra-terrestrial xylophone Xavier Xmas x-rayed.  

If Xavier Xmas x-rayed an extra-terrestrial xylophone,  

Where’s the extra-terrestrial xylophone Xavier Xmas x-rayed?  

Although writing was the focus of the project, there were clear opportunities throughout for lots of worthwhile speaking and listening, too.

The pupils engaged in planning their tongue-twisters, and shared drafts in small groups.

Next, the groups came together to swap ideas and ask for opinions, and, finally, children read aloud their contributions and again asked for feedback.

Reading comprehension KS2

As the children worked, they giggled a lot, but the seriousness and concentration they brought to the task was impressive throughout.

The talk was easily focused, because, in  National Curriculum  terms, pupils were ‘discussing writing similar to that which they [were] planning to write’.

There was also a clear need for writers to read the original text very carefully, which was built into their discussion and planning for their own verses.

This focus was nicely balanced by the eager and sustained use of dictionaries and the need for creativity in their word-hunting, showing their ‘enjoyment and understanding of language, especially vocabulary’. 

Throughout, the process was always collaborative; writers understood they were working towards a shared, larger whole, and to tight deadlines, with a clear need for some ‘speedy writing’!

Once drafts were complete, all the children had to do some editing, and lots of proofreading. 

Paperback publishing

After breaktime, we explained that once we were gone, they, the writers, would be in charge. All 26 twisters must be typed up and emailed to us by the end of the week. For the book, they must write a blurb and an introduction, and choose a title.

We explained how easy and low-cost it is to self-publish; the only cost came with the ordering of actual copies and so they must settle on a price per copy and crucially decide how many they would like to order (sneaking in a bit of economics!).

The children listened with real attention to all this and asked a good number of questions after, showing a remarkably mature commitment to the task.   

Helen reported that the children very much liked the novel approach to writing.

They enjoyed their shared creativity and loved being entrepreneurs, relishing the involvement and control they had over the tasks, the decision-making, and the purpose.

For that short time, they had turned their classroom into a genuine publishing house and experienced purposeful writing for a real-world outcome – we won’t soon forget the looks on their faces when they saw their books for the first time.  

David Horner was a writer-in-schools for over twenty years. Mike Jackson is a former primary school headteacher. 

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Activities for Writing Groups

Touching base.

Mutual support can be one of the most important functions of a writing group. Sometimes encouragement and the knowledge that others are interested in and committed to your work and your progress as a writer can be just as helpful as feedback. To that end, your writing group may want to reserve some time in each session to “touch base” or “check in” with one another. During this time you could:

• Describe your writing activities since the last group meeting in terms of pages written, parts of a project completed, or hurdles overcome.
• If you haven’t written much since the last meeting, you could talk about the kinds of pre-writing activities you have undertaken (research, reading, editing previous work, meeting with a professor or advisor, etc.). Or you could talk about the obstacles to writing that have hindered your progress (writer’s block, having a big exam this week, needing to gather more data before you can write, etc.).
• Explain how work that was discussed during the last meeting is now evolving in response to group comments. You might explain which comments you chose to act on, or tell how a section of the piece has been reorganized or rethought in response to the group’s feedback.
• Share your writing plans for the coming week or two so that your group members will know what kinds of writing they will see and so that you can help one another stick to your goals.
• Decide, as a group, on a theme for the next meeting—brainstorming, drafting, proofreading, style, writer’s block, etc. Choosing a writing issue to tackle together will help you understand the challenges each member is facing at the moment and enable you to plan meetings that will help group members meet those challenges.

Systems for sharing work

Some writing groups ask members to distribute their work in advance of the group meeting, particularly if the piece of writing in question is lengthy. Internet-based file-sharing platforms make it easy to share files, and groups can choose a platform that will offer their members the appropriate level of access and security. Standardized file-naming conventions will help members locate documents easily, e.g., consistently naming folders by Date_Name of writer (11.14.20_Maria or Nov. 14 Maria).

Responding to work that you read outside of the group

The following ideas might help you respond to work that has been distributed beforehand:

• Group members could write comments and suggest editorial changes on their copies of the paper and give those to the writer during the group meeting.
• Group members could prepare a written response to the paper in the form of a letter to the writer, a paragraph, a written discussion of the work’s strengths and weaknesses, or on a form developed by the group. See the Responding to Other People’s Writing worksheet in this packet for a helpful model.
• Group members could respond verbally to the piece, each offering a personal, overall reaction to writing before opening the discussion to a broader give-and-take.
• You could go through the piece paragraph-by-paragraph or section-by-section, with each reader offering comments and suggestions for improvement.
• The author could come prepared with a list of questions for the group and lead a discussion based on those questions.
• One group member, either the author or (perhaps preferably) a different member of the group, could keep careful notes on key reactions and suggestions for the author’s future reference.

Responding to writing presented during the group meeting

Some groups prefer to bring writing, particularly shorter pieces, to the group meeting for immediate discussion. You might bring a draft of an entire paper, a section of a paper, or just a sentence or two that you can’t seem to get “just right.” Many of the above ideas will work just as well for writing that has been presented during the meeting of the writing group. However, since writing presented during the meeting will be new to everyone except the author, you might try these additional strategies:

• Read the paper aloud to the group before launching discussion. The author could read, or another member of the group could read while the author notes things that sound like they might need revision. You could either read the entire text or break it into chunks, discussing each after it is read.
• Group members could also read silently, making notes to themselves, before launching the discussion.
• Read the first paragraph or first section aloud and have everyone in the group briefly write down what he or she thinks the paper will be about or what he or she thinks the thesis of the paper is. Share those responses in discussion.

Sharing writing without the anticipation of feedback

Sometimes, especially with new writing or writers needing a boost of confidence, it can be helpful to share writing without anticipating feedback. This kind of sharing can help writers get over fears about distributing their work or being judged:

• For writers undertaking long projects, sharing a piece can serve to show the rest of the group the progress made since the last meeting, even if the author doesn’t need feedback right now.
• Sharing a piece of writing without expecting feedback can provide the writer with a deadline to work toward without generating anxieties over whether or not the piece is “good enough” to share.
• Sharing writing early in a writing group’s work together can be a no-pressure way to get to know one another’s projects and writing styles.

Brainstorming as part of the group process

Writing groups can provide not only feedback and a forum in which to share work, but also creative problem-solving for your writing troubles. Your group might try some of these brainstorming ideas:

• Have one group member identify a writing problem that needs to be solved. Ask each group member to free-write possible solutions.
• Cut up a copy of a paper that needs organizational changes so that each section, main idea, or paragraph is on its own slip of paper. As a group, move the pieces of paper around and discuss possible options for reorganizing the work.
• After reading a piece, generate a list of items that the group might like to know more about. Organize these questions into categories for the author to consider.

Writing during writing group meetings

Your writing group may choose to write during some of its meetings. Here are some ideas for what to write:

• If everyone in the group has a major deadline approaching, use one session as a working meeting. Meet in a computer lab or other location in which everyone can write and work independently, taking breaks periodically to assess your progress or ask questions.
• Use some writing group time to free-write about your writing project—new ideas, to-do lists, organizational strategies, problems, or sentences for your drafts would all be appropriate topics for free-writing.
• Free-write about the writing process (you could all write about “How I start to write” or “The writing environment that works for me” or “When I sit down to edit…”) and share your responses with one another.
• Write about the dynamics of the writing group as a way of getting everyone’s ideas out on paper. You could free-write about the kinds of feedback that help you, what you like about each other’s writing, your frustrations with the group, and your suggestions for improving the way the group works.
• Spend a few minutes of each meeting practicing a new writing or editing technique you would like to explore.
• See the Writing Exercises handout for more ideas.

Reading during writing group meetings

Just as writing during group meetings can prove beneficial, reading can sometimes help writing groups work together better:

• Pick a book on writing such as Bird by Bird, Writing with Power, Writing Down the Bones, Writing Without Teachers, or Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day and assign yourselves sections to read for each meeting. Discuss the reading during some part of the group’s meeting each time.
• Read about a particular writing topic such as editing techniques or writer’s block during the group meeting, and then spend the session working on that aspect of one another’s writing.
• Bring a piece of writing (an article in your field, an article from a journal or magazine that you enjoyed, or a piece of fiction) that you think is especially well-written. Read over it as a group and talk about what the author did in the piece that made it so effective.
• Bring pieces of data or evidence that you are using in your writing and share them with the group. If the group becomes familiar with the things that you write about, they may be better able to help you write about them effectively.

Bring in a guest

Just as guest lecturers in courses sometimes spice up the classroom experience, guests in writing groups can enliven the discussion:

• Invite a friend’s writing group to have a joint meeting with yours. Share writing from all participants and also talk about writing group strategies that have worked for each group.
• Invite a faculty member or other guest writer to your group to talk about his or her writing process and to offer suggestions for improving your own.
• Bring in a friend who is working on a project related to the project of a group member. This may help your group member develop a network of people interested in his or her particular topic and may also show your friend how helpful a writing group could be.

Your writing group can also help you plan your writing schedule for the week:

• Discuss your writing goals, both broadly and for the immediate future. Ask your group if those goals seem realistic.
• Ask group members to e-mail you with reminders of deadlines and encouragement.
• Create a group calendar in which you all set goals and deadlines for your writing. This calendar could be for a week, a month, a semester, a year, or more. The Writing Center publishes a planning calendar each semester.
• Give each other writing “assignments” for the next meeting.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Erin Lafond

Writer, Reviewer, and Mom

10 Creative Writing Prompts to Get Your Group Started

April 11, 2018 · In: Creativity , Writing

Last updated on July 14th, 2022 at 08:55 am

This article is part five of a series about starting your own creative writing group/club. Part one is here .  Topics will include giving constructive criticism , running a workshop , and writing games / prompts .

Writing prompts are both fun and a great club icebreaker. There are several types of writing prompts. My favorites are story prompts and first-line prompts. I used to come up with them for the teen creative writing club I ran. I’ve put some of each below to get your club started.

Here are my general rules for writing games/prompts:

• Encourage everyone to share their writing, but no one ever has to share. This creates an environment where people feel comfortable. The important thing is doing the exercise. If they decide to share, they must read their prompt aloud so everyone knows what it was.
• Set a time limit. I would generally give everyone five to ten minutes per round to write, and then I would open up for sharing. Once everyone had the opportunity to read their work, I would start another round or move on. This also encouraged people to share. After all, no story is good after five minutes.
• No one ever has to keep their prompt. If someone doesn’t like their prompt, they’re allowed to put it back and pick something else.

One last thing. My personal rule for coming up with prompts was I would never put it in the basket unless I could take the prompt in at least a couple of directions. Take the first line prompt below, “I hated that smile.” I could imagine a creepy story where the main character faces someone that scares them. I could also see the main character coming home to their mother, and the smile means they’re about to do something they don’t want to, like spend the weekend volunteering. Those are two very different stories. So, the prompt went into the basket.

I would always allow people to change the pronouns for their prompts. He to she, she to I, you to they, etc.

Story Prompts:

• You’ve decided to go on a road trip by yourself.
• You’ve wandered farther than usual and discovered an old cabin in the woods behind your house.
• You’re reading a book in the middle of the night when you hear a massive bang downstairs.
• You’re walking home, and you think you’re being followed.
• It’s been raining for a week straight with no signs of stopping.

First Line Prompts:

• I hated that smile.
• “Wait, isn’t he supposed to be dead?”
• It was too quiet.
• “Have you seen this?”
• Was that a scream?

Check out my Pinterest board for weekly writing prompts!

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Four Creative Writing Games to Get Your Group Started

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IEP Meetings And Parent-Teacher Conferences: Everything You Need to Know

College disability services and accommodations: everything you need to know, spam vs. phishing: how are these unwanted messages different, how to charge your iphone properly, encouraging your teenager to read: everything you need to know, 8 ways to service an air conditioner, 3 ways to stop a baby from vomiting, 3 ways to save instagram highlights, skills needed for reading comprehension: everything you need to know, how to change the language in android, how to start a creative writing club.

Are you passionate about writing and looking for a way to connect with like-minded individuals? Starting a creative writing club can be an excellent way to foster creativity, build community, and help writers develop their skills. Follow these simple steps to start your own successful creative writing club.

1. Define your club’s purpose and goals

Before you dive into planning your club, ask yourself what you hope to achieve. Do you want to focus on workshopping pieces, exploring new writing techniques, or simply providing a supportive space for sharing ideas? Setting clear goals and defining your club’s purpose will help keep your meetings consistent and engaging.

2. Determine the club’s size and structure

Consider whether you prefer a small intimate group or a larger gathering with diverse perspectives. Your preferred club size will influence how you promote your club and choose members. Additionally, decide if you want a formal hierarchy with specific roles, or if you’d prefer a more casual setup.

3. Decide on meeting logistics

Select an appropriate meeting location that is accessible and comfortable for all members, such as a local library, community center, or even online via video conferencing platforms. Plan how often the club will meet—weekly, biweekly, or monthly—and how long each meeting will last. Establishing these details early on will make it easier to plan future gatherings.

4. Develop a plan for each meeting

Create an agenda ahead of time that incorporates the club’s purpose and goals. Outline the writing activities, discussions, or critiques that will take place during each meeting. Having clear expectations about what each session will entail helps keep members engaged and on track.

5. Advertise your club

Spread the word about your creative writing club through social media platforms, websites like meetup.com, local community bulletin boards, or in-person networking events. You may also want to contact local libraries or bookstores to advertise your club. Tailor your promotional material to attract the kind of writers you hope to join your group.

6. Screen and select members

While it may be tempting to accept anyone who expresses interest in your club, carefully consider what type and level of writing skills your club is targeting. You may want everyone to have a similar skill level or a diverse range of abilities. Be transparent about what you’re looking for in potential members and communicate with them before inviting them to join.

7. Establish ground rules

Create a set of guidelines that outline the club’s expectations for behavior, critique etiquette, and member participation. Ensure everyone adheres to these rules so that the environment remains supportive, respectful, and productive.

8. Keep members engaged

As your club progresses, seek feedback from members on what they’re enjoying or any areas that need improvement. Incorporate member suggestions into future meetings to keep the club fresh and dynamic. Genuinely listen to the needs of your members and be willing to adapt the structure or goals if needed.

In conclusion, starting a creative writing club takes some planning and effort, but the rewards can be incredibly fulfilling. By following these steps and tailoring them to your specific needs, you’ll create an engaging space where writers can flourish together in their creative endeavors.

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How to Run a Successful Writing Group

So you’ve set up your writing group. Now what?

Whether your group is newly formed, or perhaps it’s been running for a while, here are some ideas that can help you inject creative energy.

1. Create the right atmosphere

In order to get into the right creative space, you need to feel at ease with your fellow writers. Make sure new members are welcomed and introduced. And get everyone to say something in the big group at the beginning of every meeting so all members feel involved from the start.

Beginnings to break the ice could be :

• One good thing that’s happened for me in the last seven days
• One thing I’m looking forward to this weekend
• One accomplishment achieved in the last seven days (could be anything from cooking a curry to climbing a mountain).
• One new thing I’ve tried – it doesn’t matter whether it succeeded.

2. Have an agenda

An agenda that roughly follows the same formula each time means people will know what to expect.

You have options but it could look something like this:

• Welcome everyone and do a round the table check in (see above) that allows everyone chance to say something. This could include brief introductions if there are new members.
• The secretary or person in charge of correspondence gives news of writing events, courses, competitions that have arrived via post or email. Members add whatever they have heard of or spotted in magazines.
• A short spontaneous warm up writing exercise with read backs
• Refreshment break for informal friendly chat
• Read backs and feedback of pieces people have written at home. Or a group exercise designed to develop some specific writing skill with read backs.
• Anything else anyone wants to raise and date and time of next meeting.

3. Start on time and end on time

This will encourage latecomers to be prompt and enable members to plan the rest of their day or evening.

4. Share the organising

If one person does everything, the burden is awesome. Eventually you might consider appointing different people to share out the tasks.

These might include

• Secretary – a named person to receive and deal with correspondence and prepare agenda
• Someone to send out reminders of meetings. This could be the Secretary or a different person
• Facilitator to set exercises (or this might change for each meeting)
• Refreshments organiser
• Membership organiser – the role could be combined with…
• Treasurer/Accounts organiser to open bank account and collect fees, pay venue hire if necessary. Some libraries may lend you a room without charge
• Resources and library manager to look after any writing books purchased and owned by the group
• Events organiser to plan days out, theatre visits, invite visiting speakers/tutors depending on how social you want to be.

5. Set stimulating exercises

Some sources of ideas

• Beg, borrow or buy writing books and look for exercises that will develop specific skills. Try the library, bookshops, charity shops, Amazon and writer friends who may be clearing their shelves.
• Google ‘writing exercises for groups’. There are lots of ideas available free on the internet.
• Use old photographs of places or people, song titles, imaginary dialogue between two characters drawn out of a hat to trigger a story. Be creative. And enjoy!

Recommended books for writing exercises:

The Five Minute Writer Taking Reality by Surprise What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers The Writer’s Block

6. Give honest feedback

One of the reasons people join a writing group is so they can have access to honest feedback. But they often report that their fellow-writers are either too nice or too negative about each other’s work. Both types of feedback can be equally unhelpful.

• Too nice is bland, boring and gives the writer no feeling of honest appreciation when they do produce something that is genuinely good.
• Too negative is discouraging and disheartening.
• What’s needed instead is a positive atmosphere in the sessions that evokes honest, sensitive and respectful feedback. Comments should be constructive and a good formula to follow is two positives and a negative.
• For instance, “I really liked the way your piece evoked atmosphere of the place (positive). And you built up a feeling of suspense and tension very well (positive). I think the dialogue could reveal a little more of the difficulties of the relationship, rather than using the narrative text to highlight the problems.

If people find it difficult to give feedback, brainstorm a list of criteria you might look at when evaluating a piece of writing and display it prominently. It might include:

• Does it begin well?
• What emotion/s does it evoke?
• What particular words or phrases do you remember?
• How do you personally relate to the piece?

You might consider appointing the two people sitting next to the reader to take responsibility for giving feedback before opening it up to the group.

Remember most writers have delicate egos and are fairly quick to criticise their own work. So you might introduce a ground rule that no one should be negative about their own writing, or apologise for what they read out. This will help generate a more positive atmosphere.

7. Celebrate your successes

When one of your members wins an award or a competition, or gets published in any small or major way, make it an excuse for celebration. A round of applause, a shared cake or bottle of bubbly. Do whatever works. And encourage your writers to aim for the stars. Who knows – one of them might be the author of the next best-seller.

For information on inviting Judi to run a session at your writing group, in person or online with Zoom click here

How to Start a Creative Writing Club for Kids

I pitched the idea to a friend of mine, a professor of creative writing, who very graciously shared with me exercises she does with her grad students. It took some work but I brought them down to a level I thought would work with 4 th -6 th graders.

Next I had to get buy in from the school principal to run an after school club and use the library. She loved the idea but reminded me I needed a ‘baby sitter’ because I’m not a credentialed teacher. The librarian agreed to keep me on the straight and narrow and I promised to keep his library in good working order.

From there, I got myself invited to a PTA meeting to see if they would throw me some funds to run the club. Really all I wanted were notebooks, pencils and a few other little things here and there to help with the writing exercises. They said yes and I was off.

We meet once a month for an hour. We have two rules for Writing Club. The first is we are respectful of everyone’s ideas; if a fellow student is reading his/her work aloud, we are quiet and listen closely. The second is no one has to read if they don’t want to. No pressure. I also give away middle grade books I’m done reading. Winners beam like they’ve just won the lottery.

September’s giveaway books

At our first meeting this year fifty students showed up! I ran out of everything – notebooks, pencils, seats, table space – but seeing these kids, scribbling away, giving voice to the stories in their heads, gave me hope for the future.

(for specifics on the writing exercises, please visit my website )

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This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing.

50!!! Wow! That gives me hope for the future, too. I am so crazy busy this year but would love to do host a NaNoWriMo group for our middle school students. Maybe I should do it a different time of year and follow your lead. Thanks for the inspiration!

Absolutely love your idea and your website describing how you present the writing program. If I were a kid again, I would run to get to the head of line for your program. Thank you for teaching.

• Interview & Giveaway with Amie Darnell Specht & Shannon Hitchcock! February 7, 2024 by Mindy Alyse Weiss Welcome to the Mixed-Up Files, Amie and Shannon. We’re thrilled to have you here. Congrats on the launch of Dancing in the Storm. It’s so inspiring and powerful. I had... Read more →

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Everybody Writes: writing groups

Added 29 Aug 2019 | Updated 26 May 20

A writing group is a great way to establish a writing culture in your school. The resources provided on this page provide guidance on starting your own writing club, and will help you inspire students to enjoy writing as well as developing skills. The activities work well for extra-curricular writing groups, but can also be used with smaller groups within class teaching.

Writing club guides

These are available for both primary and secondary audiences and include:

• guidance on setting up a writing club
• tips on planning
• games and activities
• advice on evaluating the impact of the club
• how to sustain the club over time.

Once your writing club is up and running, you might be interested in some of our other resources:

• Do you have the next Lenny Henry or Sarah Millican in your writing club? Try our Comedy Classroom resource produced in partnership with the BBC
• Cressida Cowell's Free Writing Friday resources have some great tips for free writing and getting the creative juices flowing

We will continue to update the page with real examples from schools around the UK. To share the achievements of your writing club, please email us .

Find out more about Everybody Writes .

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Creative Writing Opportunities for High School Students

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If you’re a high school student interested in creative writing, you may or may not have a number of broad extracurricular options to pursue during the school year, depending on your school. You might be a part of your school’s literary magazine, or participate in creative writing workshops. Maybe you are lucky enough to attend a school with dedicated creative writing classes or poetry electives.

But what if your school doesn’t seem to offer much for students who want to pursue creative writing? Or what if you don’t even know where to begin looking? How can you keep your momentum headed towards your goal or otherwise use your time productively if you passionate about creative writing?

There are many activities available to high school students who enjoy creative writing. Some might be available through your school, but many are out there waiting for you to pursue them independently.

In this post, we’ll outline how you can take the initiative to pursue multiple creative writing opportunities both in and out of school. Keep reading to learn more about what opportunities are out there for high school-aged creative writers.

Why Pursue Creative Writing?

There are many reasons to pursue extracurriculars in general. They can serve to strengthen your academic profile, they allow you to pursue interests not otherwise available through traditional classwork, and they can provide valuable, real-world experience.

Creative writing is an extracurricular that is closely tied with your academic coursework in English and Language Arts and in fact is probably a partial requirement of at least some of your English classes. Pursuing it further exemplifies your commitment to the craft and gives you some insight into writing as a possible career path.

It might be easy to think of creative writing as nothing more than a hobby, but in reality many careers exist in which strong writing skills are coveted. By pursuing creative writing, you become well equipped for a career as not only an author or poet, but also in many other fields. We’ll discuss these more in depth at the end of this post.

Opportunities to Pursue Creative Writing

Literary magazine:.

This is the most obvious and most common way to study and produce creative writing in a formal setting at school. Many schools already have a literary magazine established and likely have regular meetings and a faculty adviser equipped to lend insight and advice.

You can usually join your school’s literary magazine at the beginning of a new school year, though you may also be able to join mid-year in some circumstances. Contact the editor or faculty advisor if you want to become involved. Over time you may even be able to take on a leadership role yourself. To learn more about the importance of this, check out CollegeVine’s Your Resume, Revamped: Securing Leadership Positions and Perfecting Your Extracurricular Profile . 

Another way to be involved with the literary magazine, even if you aren’t a part of its team, is to become a regular contributor. This isn’t always easy; some schools have highly competitive literary magazines or only produce one printed edition per year. If this is the case at your school, don’t get discouraged. Submit your best work, learn from feedback, and keep trying.

If your school does not have a literary magazine, you might consider starting one. Begin by talking to other students who have expressed interest in creative writing. Once you have a strong group of interested students, approach a member of your school’s faculty who would make a good adviser.

Your faculty adviser should be someone who has worked closely with you in the past and has some level of expertise in creative writing. Be clear what sort of commitment you are asking for from this person. You may need him or her to be present at every meeting, or you might simply need his or her signature and sporadic stamp of approval. Also remember that you will have some associated costs so having a faculty adviser who can help with fundraising could be important.

Literary magazines provide students interested in creative writing with some general insights into a formal writing publication, a glimpse at the process for submitting work and receiving feedback, and the opportunity to have their writing published for all to see.

Creative Writing Club:

If your school does not have a literary magazine or you are interested in pursuing creative writing in a less formal setting, a creative writing club might be a good bet for you.

These clubs generally operate as regular writing workshops during which students respond to prompts or practice free-writing, and then share their work and offer feedback to others. It is often similar to the submissions approval process at a literary magazine without the stress of possible rejection.

In addition, a creative writing club does not generally produce a publication, though some might print a collection of work at the end of the school year. Again, this differs from the traditional literary magazine because work is selected by the author rather than submitted for acceptance or rejection.

If your school does not have a creative writing club, it is easy to start one. Because there is no associated publication as in the case of a literary magazine, the process is generally less formal. You could meet before or after school and sometimes you don’t even need a faculty adviser; you just need a teacher who’s willing to share classroom space outside of school hours.

Alternatively, you could form a writing club that is completely independent of your school by meeting at the library or a friend’s house. Simply gather creative writing exercises from books or online searches and then gather on a regular basis to respond to them, share work, and offer constructive criticism.

A creative writing club can also be an important accountability tool for students who are working on independent creative writing projects. If you’re writing a longer piece or even a novel, or working on a collection of poetry, meeting regularly with like-minded writers can help to keep you on track and provide outside feedback that might otherwise be unavailable.

Creative Writing Tutor:

If creative writing is your passion and you want to share it with others, you might consider becoming a creative writing tutor for younger students.

Contact a local elementary school and ask if you might be able to volunteer. If so, arrive prepared to lead a small writer’s workshop. Bring any handouts you might need and practice your oral presentation ahead of time. If you need some inspiration for activities, check out the Creative Writing for Children page at PBS parents or the Story Starters page at Scholastic . These kid-friendly writing prompts are sure to inspire even the youngest authors.

If you can’t find a volunteer position at an elementary school, you could try reaching out to other local organizations. Girl or boy scout troops, community centers, or the local library are all possibilities.

Leading a creative writing group for younger students is a great way to hone your own thinking about creative writing, to practice your teaching and leadership skills, and to give back to your community.

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Writing Contests:

If you’re looking for more direction for your writing, and the idea of fame and fortune intrigues you, you should consider entering some writing contests. There are many to choose from, and most offer either cash prizes or scholarship money. Some are also quite prestigious.

For a list of some of the most respected writing contests open to high schoolers, check out The CollegeVine Ultimate Guide to High School Writing Contests .

Summer Programs:

As is now the case for most extracurriculars, there are many strong summer programs to choose from if you’d like to pursue creative writing during your school break. These programs can be competitive to get into and you will usually be required to submit a writing portfolio as a part of your application.

Programs such as these also strengthen your college application and reinforce your commitment to writing. A few of the strongest are:

• Interlochen
• Kenyon Review Young Writer’s Workshop
• California State Summer School for the Arts (Primarily for California residents, but a small number of non-residents are accepted each year.)

Many of these programs have scholarships available, so if finances are a concern, be sure to research a few options before ruling anything out.

In addition, many colleges offer summer programs in creative writing as well. These are usually similar in format to any of the aforementioned summer programs, with the added bonus of allowing you to build connections at colleges or universities that you might wish to attend. 

See if any schools on your list of potential colleges or universities offer summer programs and look into attending those. Otherwise, consider one of the following, which are known for their high quality instruction:

• Duke Young Writer’s Camp
• Carleton College Summer Writing Program
• Stanford Summer Institutes
• Lewis and Clark Fir Acres Workshop
• University of Iowa Young Writer’s Studio

Start a Blog

If you find that you are writing often but have nowhere to showcase your work or have trouble holding yourself accountable for producing work on a regular basis, starting your own blog might be a good fit. A blog is a great way to share your writing on a public platform, it can act as an informal portfolio of your work, and it helps to hold you accountable to a larger audience.

Many blogs are easily set up and hosted for free on websites such as WordPress , Blogger , LiveJournal , or Weebly . Share a link to your blog on your social media accounts or send out a group email to let friends and family know about it. As is the case any time you add to your online presence, be sure to discuss your plans with a parent or guardian ahead of time. 

Get Published Elsewhere

A blog isn’t the only platform for publishing your work. Many magazines and periodicals accept submissions from high school students. A long list of publications reviewing high school submissions can be found in the NewPages Young Authors’ Guide . 

You can also check with local publications like newspapers, smaller regional magazines, or even blogs you follow that might accept a guest post.

There are a myriad of ways to get your work to a bigger audience, and if that’s something you’re interested in doing, don’t be shy about asking or even sending unsolicited submissions. All it takes is one person to take a chance on you before you can call yourself a published author.

Career Aspirations for the Creative Writer

It’s easy to think of creative writing as the entry point to becoming a novelist or poet. You might even think that these are your only long-term career options should you choose to pursue creative writing seriously.

This is definitely not the case. Many, many career paths incorporate writing, and while you may not be writing fictional works the entire time, that does not mean that you won’t be incorporating your background in creative writing. All strong writing benefits from creativity.

Writers are especially valued in the fields of:

• Advertising
• American Literature
• Digital Media
• Educational and Instructional Technology
• Media Studies
• Public Relations
• Radio and Television
• Sports Communications
• Technical and Business Writing
• Webpage and Multimedia Design    

Remember, pursuing creative writing doesn’t necessarily mean you have to write a novel or publish a collection of poetry. Writers have valuable skills that can be applied broadly depending on their others skills and interests.

Want access to expert college guidance — for free? When you create your free CollegeVine account, you will find out your real admissions chances, build a best-fit school list, learn how to improve your profile, and get your questions answered by experts and peers—all for free. Sign up for your CollegeVine account today to get a boost on your college journey.

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The Creative Writing Club

Welcome to the penn state creative writing club.

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The Creative Writing Club is a community of young writers interested in telling stories. Our mediums include novels, short stories, poetry, screenplays, music pieces, and more! Our General Body Meetings (GBMs) are scheduled on Wednesdays from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The room is 312 in the Boucke Building. The Creative Writing Club hosts a variety of other events, writing workshops, and socials throughout the semester, so even if the GBM time slot does not fit into your schedule, there is still ample opportunity to get involved with the club.

The Creative Writing Club does not require dues and does not have strict membership requirements. Anyone, regardless of writing experience, is invited to join at any time during the semester.

If you’re interested in joining the Creative Writing Club or simply looking for more information, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] .

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Your young author will learn to write fiction, nonfiction and poetry with expert guidance and a collaborative group of 6-9 fellow writers. Our clubs meet weekly and themes change monthly.

$70/month • Weekly 1‑hr sessions • Grades 4‑8

Special Offer: Upgrade to Unlimited Clubs

For only $100/month ($50 your first month), you'll get:

• Enrollment in Creative Writing Club.
• Unlimited access to ALL of our after-school clubs covering over 16 subjects from drawing to coding and more.
• Thousands of after-school timeslots available.
• Membership includes access for the whole family .  

Included in Creative Writing Club

Weekly Club Meetings

Each month, young writers will explore a different creative writing genre. With their fellow authors, they’ll examine examples of literary elements that separate the good genre writers from the greats. Writers will hone their craft through imaginative exercises, learn how to edit their work, and contribute to their club’s writing collection.

View Monthly Themes

Bonus Creative Writing Clubhouse Activities

Club members will have access to fun and unique activities through our virtual After School Clubhouse. The Clubhouse has videos, quizzes, fun downloadable experiences --everything they need to unleash their creativity.

Creative Writing StarCourses

Your young author will be invited to our upcoming Creative Writing StarCourse sessions, where they'll get the chance to learn secrets from authors, screenwriters, actors, editors, and more.

Monthly Themes

With new themes starting every month, join anytime and never feel left behind!

What do Hogwarts, the Millennium Falcon, and Narnia have in common? They’re great science fiction and fantasy settings! This month, we’ll discuss fantasy, science fiction, and the places that make them come to life. Learners will also explore the elements of setting while working on their own piece of fantasy or science fiction.

Figures of speech like alliteration, metaphors, and similes give poetry its beauty. This month, budding poets will try their hand at this genre. Learners will also explore the ins and outs of figurative language while working on their own poems.

Writing the perfect whodunit doesn’t have to be a mystery. This month, learners will investigate how plot contributes to suspense and intrigue while working on their own piece of mystery writing.

How would you tell the story of your own life? Writers will get a shot at self-reflection and hone their unique voice while working on their autobiography.

Don't miss this special offer! Step 1: Choose your age group Step 2: Confirm upgrade to Unlimited Step 3: Choose your timeslot Step 4: Join and complete your registration

Upgrade to Unlimited Clubs $50 first month, then $100 monthly Cancel anytime.

Membership includes access for the whole family to all 16 after-school clubs. Each club meets in expert led, small group, weekly 1 hr sessions. You will be charged $50 today and $100 on a recurring monthly basis. You may cancel your membership anytime.

Join Creative Writing Club $70 per month, cancel anytime.

This class is currently full. More dates and times added regularly. Check back soon.

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Get your young reader's pages turning. They'll discuss sci-fi classics, travel back in time, and learn how to create vast worlds on their own.

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Young coders and video game lovers alike will take fun and skill to new levels, developing a coder’s toolkit through collaborative game design challenges with a small group of peers.

And so many more!

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One stop word-shop: wordshop creative writing club offers low-stress environment for literary expression.

Amidst seemingly never-ending essays, midterms and internship applications, many students in college dream of never having to write a single original word again. Yet, Wordshop, the College of William and Mary’s fast-growing creative writing club, provides students with a unique opportunity to write not for the sake of reaching that 1,500 word mark by the 11:59 deadline, but rather for creativity, enjoyment and self-expression.

In its weekly meetings, Wordshop brings students together to develop their creative writing skills and share their pieces with others in an open, non-judgemental and stress-free artistic space. They explore a variety of different genres including fiction, nonfiction, prose and poetry, and seek to welcome students at the College with all levels of writing experience. The club also hosts a myriad of guest speakers and social and workshop-based events to build a tight-knit community of student writers. 

At its core, Wordshop aims to keep the art of creative writing alive and thriving within the student body, framing the skill as an enjoyable and revered one rather than one that is mandated by academic commitments.

“Stories and writing are not only about creative expression, they also come to shape our social reality and historical narratives,” co-president of Wordshop Yannie Chang ’25 said. “What is canon and what is not, what narratives and perspectives are preserved and which are not; all these things matter. Wordshop aims to embody the spirit that writing is a valuable and privileged tool to share and preserve ideas and stories. ”

Wordshop co-presidents Chang and Malvika Shrimali ’24 emphasized that Wordshop requires no prior writing experience and that anyone with an interest in creative writing can join club meetings. 

“We also always encourage newcomers and don’t want people to be intimidated by the notion of never having been to a meeting before,” Chang said. “Even if you’ve never been and you find yourself wanting to write or simply hear some beautiful stories, you will always be welcome.”

At each Wordshop meeting, members are given around twenty minutes of writing time on a themed prompt, which was voted on at the previous meeting, and they are subsequently offered a chance to share their work with the group. Past prompts have ranged from “misunderstood monsters” to “love poems.” Additionally, a “follow your heart” option is always provided for those who wish to write whatever they would like.

Given that writing is often situated in a stressful academic context in college, Wordshop aims to operate in an entirely different low-stakes sphere of creativity and artistic freedom.

“Wordshop has always been intended to be a low-stress environment for writers. Many clubs require high degrees of commitment, and even within the creative writing space, workshops elsewhere are often formalized in ways that scare away aspiring writers,” member Charlie May ’24 wrote in an email to The Flat Hat. “At its core, Wordshop is a place that focuses on writing as a way to decompress, which is something I think a lot of us could use.”

Wordshop aims to reframe writing in a positive light for students, providing an escape from the drudgery of certain academic writing requirements. 

“ Writing isn’t a chore or an obligation here; it is a means to destress,” Treasurer Iman Hersi ‘27 wrote in an email to The Flat Hat.

Club members also pinpointed how Wordshop helps maintain constant writing practice amidst the many different aspects of a busy college life. 

“We’re so focused on classes or other clubs and responsibilities that it can be hard to focus on writing for fun or to further your own personal projects, and Wordshop has helped me sit down and write every week to keep my skills sharp,” Outreach Chair Phebe Gentlesk ‘27 wrote in an email to The Flat Hat.

In addition to honing their creative writing skills, other members highlighted that writing in a shared, communal setting was more appealing to them than working individually.

“People come and go over the months and years, but the club has always retained a uniquely chill vibe that makes sharing work more comfortable,” May wrote in an email to The Flat Hat. “It’s a very relaxing feeling that beats typing away alone in a dark, drab dorm room a million times over.”

Social Chair Angelina Joa ’25 shared a similar sentiment, underlining that Wordshop is unique compared to other clubs at the College in its ability to successfully build an environment that is extremely welcoming and non-intimidating for all members, new and old. 

“Wordshop is the first club where I feel comfortable and content. It’s the first club where I feel like I don’t have to force myself to be there out of necessity,” wrote Joa in an email to The Flat Hat. “Rather, I’m there because I really want to be there. Wordshop for me is a place of comfort.”

Considering the overwhelmingly positive experience relayed by Wordshop members, the club has sought to expand and strengthen its student writing community through a multitude of new initiatives in the last year and a half. The club has created a social media presence on both Instagram and Discord, increased social events, fostered collaborations with other groups at the College and invited various guest speakers. The organization has also recently expanded its executive board team and started fundraising events in the hopes of growing its presence on campus.

“I would love more people to get involved,” Shrimali said. “Writing does not have to be stressful and I want to encourage people to explore the arts.”

For anyone who has ever considered doing some writing just for the fun of it, Wordshop offers an easygoing environment to do that during its weekly meetings on Mondays at 7 p.m. in Chancellors 133.

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"Without OCC Advantage I Don't Think I'd Be Going Down The Path That I Am"

Cai Oristian did a lot of academic and career exploration while attending LaFayette Big Picture School. At one time or another automotive technology, psychology, and criminal justice all seemed like viable courses of study and eventual careers. Ultimately a conversation with trusted voices made the difference. "I sat down with my teachers and said 'I have no idea what I want to do! My History teacher said 'you like to write. Why not just look at that?' I did, and decided this was what I wanted to do."

LaFayette Big Picture School is part of the LaFayette School District, one of five school districts affiliated with OCC Advantage , a college and career readiness program which provides financial assistance to eligible students. "I figured OCC would be a great place to try different electives. Without OCC Advantage I don't think I'd be going down the path that I am."

Two years ago, Oristian graduated LaFayette Big Picture School and enrolled in OCC's Creative Writing degree program that fall. Positive experiences in Creative Writing-related classes taught by professors Patrick Snow and Rhiannon Catherwood confirmed the decision. "There's a really great community within Creative Writing. I love the professors and my fellow students. Everybody's great."

Oristian is extremely active outside class serving as Co-Vice President of Service in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, President of OCC's Animal Conservation Club, works at LaFayette Kennels , and volunteers at Pawsitivitea CNY Cat Cafe at Syracuse's Regional market.

Next month Oristian will cross the stage at Commencement, then move on to SUNY Oswego where they will major in Creative Writing with a minor in Audio Production. It's a career path which became possible thanks to the support provided by OCC Advantage. "I'm really grateful. It was great to come to a community college first where I had the opportunity to explore. I have a feeling I would have ended up back here if I went to a four-year because there's so many great opportunities here. I feel like I would have gone to a four-year, realized I can't do this, and eventually go to a community college."

Creative Writing A.A.

Related news in news briefs.

CREEES Professional Resources Forum

Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies at The University of Texas at Austin

Grad Program: MA in Creative Writing in Russian (Moscow)

Application opens February 2019

For fiction/non-fiction writers in Russian.

MA “Creative Writing”  is:

• Practical and theoretical/historical courses, such as  Creative Writing Workshop ,  Storytelling in Different Media ,  Literary Editing , Poetics of Novel and Screenwriting ;
• Unique professors and teachers, among them famous Russian writers, screenwriters and critics –  Marina Stepnova ,  Lyudmila Ulitskaya ,  Lev Danilkin ,  Sergey Gandlevsky  and  Maya Kucherskaya  as well as prominent philologists, authors of academic and non-fiction books  Oleg Lekmanov ,  Ekaterina Lyamina  and  Alexey Vdovin ;
• Participation in open readings, discussions and  literary expeditions ,  publications in students’ projects ;
• International exchange  – lectures and workshops of the leading specialists in Creative Writing, students’ exchange in the best world universities;
•  Help and support in the process of  employment  in various publishing houses, editorials, Mass Media, high schools and universities and PR;
• Creation and participation in  cultural projects ;
• Flexible timetable  enabling students to work while studying.

Our graduates already work in the best publishing houses, universities and schools in Moscow. Their writing is published in the authoritative literary magazines. Their projects (such as prize  “_Litblog”  for the best literary blogger and first Creative Writing Internet resource in Russian  “Mnogobukv” and collections of prose) have gained much attention.

Language of instruction: Russian

You can apply to non-paid place as a foreign student in February. Looking forward to seeing you at Higher School of Economics!

More information about the programme:  https://www.hse.ru/en/ma/litmaster

Spotlight: Assigning a Creative Short Story in a Gender & Sexuality Studies Course

In this column, we feature assignments that employ written, oral, digital/technological, kinetic, and visual communication modes.

Dr. Mahaliah A. Little is a proud alumna of Spelman College and the UNCF Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship. In addition to her research interests, she is passionate about feminist pedagogy, media literacy, and the teaching of writing. 

Check out some of her work without a paywall: See “Being Toward Trauma: Theorizing Post-Violence Sexuality,” published in Rejoinder: An Online Journal Published by the Institute for Research on Women. Little is also a contributing author for the forthcoming Naylor in the Archives anthology (University of Mississippi Press). Learn more about Dr. Little’s work here .

What is the assignment? 

Creative Short Story

Students will submit a 4-5pg creative short story involving a character from course readings in lieu of an in-class final exam. This creative story is meant to be a fun way to incorporate a character or characters from stories in Lesley Nneka Arimah’s What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky, Leone Ross’ Come, Let Us Sing Anyway, or Jesmyn Ward’s Sing Unburied, Sing. You are welcome to include elements or characters from Octavia Butler’s “The Evening, the Morning, and the Night,” as well as elements of magical realism that we’ve learned about in course readings and discussions. I understand that many or most students may not have experience writing creative fiction, but this will be an exercise in which you all can utilize your imagination. These short stories must involve at least one character, obvious element, or setting from one assigned class reading. 

How does it work?

I like this assignment because it gives students an opportunity be creative! It’s an approach to assessment that doesn’t rely on a purely formulaic academic essay, and I like designing assignments that deviate from standard forms of assessment. Unique assignments can sometimes be anxiety-producing for students, especially when they are more accustomed to routine or regimented assignments. To mitigate that worry, I include short story examples from previous students, a detailed rubric, and in-class writing time for students to get feedback in real-time from their classmates and from me.

What do students say?

“I really enjoyed the course content overall this maybe one of my favorite courses I’ve taken since starting college! However, if I had to choose one aspect it would be the opportunity to do our own creative writing!”  — Student A

“I usually only write/focus on research and analytical essays because of my major, so writing my own short story related to the material has helped me flex my creative writing muscles.” — Student B

Student Artifact: 

This student is deeply curious about the world around her, and I’ve had the pleasure of having her in two of my classes in the past two years. SaMiah’s assignment is a strong example of the creative short story assignment in my section of Gender and Sexuality Studies 170: Race and Magical Realism course for its detail, underlying social commentary, and its immersive quality. She successfully references themes and elements of three short stories we read during Winter quarter, and she innovates her own original protagonist, settings, and conflicts to flesh out the glimpse in time her story represents. One of the short stories she cites as inspiration, Lesley Nneka Arimah’s “What Is A Volcano?” is written in the style of a oral origin myth. The way that SaMiah incorporates the feel of an ancient story or legend that’s been passed down through generations is a sight to behold!

Excerpt from SaMiah’s Creative Short Story:

“Luckily for you I have been graced with a life long enough to have seen the manifestation of one other Secret Keeper prior to you unfortunately though,” the old woman pauses for a moment then let out a deep sigh continuing “unfortunately, Secret Keepers don’t tend to have very long lifespans. The one before you died when she was around your age, possibly younger.” “How did she die?” The girl asked, feeling a deep and unexplainable sorrow in the pit of her stomach. “Killed.” the old woman says simply.

Click here to read the rest of SaMiah’s story and see Dr. Little’s Rubric.

Why does this work?

Link out to resources

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More Americans are freelancing — and as demand for independent workers surges, so has the availability of high-paying freelance opportunities. 

The number of professionals freelancing in the U.S. hit an all-time high in 2023, increasing to 64 million people, or 38% of the U.S. workforce, from 60 million the year earlier according to recent research from Upwork. 

Businesses are increasingly relying on freelancers to save on headcount and real estate expenses, Yoav Hornung, head of verticals and innovation at Fiverr, recently told CNBC Make It . 

Many of these project-based jobs can come with six-figure payouts. The number of independent workers making $100,000 or more a year grew by 53% between 2021 and 2023, according to an October 2023 report by MBO Partners, a provider of back-office services to independent workers.

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1. Programming 

Average hourly rate: $250 

2. eCommerce development and management 

3. graphic design .

Average hourly rate: $140 

4. Transcription

Average hourly rate: $200 

5. Creative writing 

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The global e-commerce market has been steadily growing over the last several years, a trend that was accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic when more companies had to shift to online business models. This has sparked demand for other freelance services related to running an e-commerce site, Siseles points out, including user interface design and copywriting. 

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You can also set yourself apart as a freelancer by creating a digital portfolio of work samples to share with prospective clients. To find out where the jobs are and list your own services, consider creating a profile on Upwork, Freelancer.com, Fiverr, TaskRabbit or a different website advertising freelance jobs.

Want to land your dream job in 2024?  Take  CNBC's new online course How to Ace Your Job Interview  to learn what hiring managers are really looking for, body language techniques, what to say and not to say, and the best way to talk about pay.

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red square in moscow - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

The picture had been taken in Red Square, in Moscow. Alex could see the onion-shaped towers of the Kremlin behind the man.

Found in Alex Rider, Skeleton Key , authored by Anthony Horowitz .

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