About Woven Word Creative Writing Workshops
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Woven Word Young Writers offers workshops focused on developing your creative voice and writing style, learning to express emotions through art, and simply enjoying the writing process. Woven Word offers a breath of fresh air to the rule-driven, test-defined writing world students often encounter in schools. Together we build a writers' community and reintroduce writing as something you can do for yourself. Because everyone has something to say, and writing is a powerful way to say it!
Woven Word Young Writers offers homeschool and after school workshops each week with options for ages 7-18 (see below). Workshops last between one and two hours. In house full semester workshops include two writing periods and snack break. A potluck reading of members work is held in the spring. Virtual workshops are shortened a bit, but still built for relaxing, affirmative social time in a supportive writers "circle" (ok... it's actually a grid...). |
Very Young Writers Virtual Workshops (Ages 7-10)
Very Young Writers Virtual Workshops are designed to be fun and friendly, with a focus on affirming the young writers natural voice in story and poetry. Packed into a tight hour we include "Round Robin" introductions, a short reading, a prompt explanation (sometimes creating prompts together), a 15 minute writing session, and 30 minutes of sharing our work with affirmative feedback.
Virtual Workshop for Writers Ages 10-14
We start with "Round Robin" introductions and chatting. Next we open the workshop period with a short reading. After this the writing period begins with prompts to get the creative juices going and give writers a jump-start. The prompts often include a set of line prompts, a specific writing exercise, or a group brainstorm. We vary between new approaches and a hit parade of prompts from Woven Word. Writers are invited to do absolutely whatever they want with the prompts (including ignore them). We offer two writing periods and prompts "back to back". After a chunk of solid creating, writers are encouraged to share their pieces and receive friendly feedback, all in a safe, encouraging environment.
Teen Writers Socially Distanced (& Virtual Workshops) (Ages 12 - 18)
Woven Word teens and their wonderful families are adapting our beloved program for Covid times. After a summer of outside social distanced programming, we now have a feel for this approach to our workshops. It includes writing circles under the old oak tree, socially distanced writing circles in full view of the fields and mountains, and -- come fall -- some writing circle time around the bon fire (until it's too cold). It will also include virtual workshops throughout, based on weather predictions. The question of in person vs. virtual workshop will need to be decided the morning of the workshop and communicated by email. An inside bathroom will be available (with masks and sanitation procedure), as well as inside space in a sudden weather event. Together we treasure our writers community and we will adapt as needed.
Woven Word Young Writers is based in Hadley, Massachusetts. For more specific questions, contact Lynn Bowmaster at Lrbowmaster@gmail.com.
"You can make anything by writing.”