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 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...). |
Monday 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. Grandparents and honored elders are welcome to join us!
Tuesday Virtual Workshop for Writers (Ages 10-14)
We start with introductions and a quick check in about our week. We follow with a short reading of poetry or an example for the current prompts. Sometimes we offer a specific exercise. Often we brainstorm story ideas or create character sketches before writing, helping to build a supportive "nest" for our young writers. Woven Word also offers line prompts to be used in stories and poems. We offer 1-2 writing periods (depending on time required for prompt set up). After about 20-25 minutes of writing, writers are invited to share their pieces. Workshop members give specific, affirmative feedback about what is working in each piece.
Tuesday virtual workshop is a nice way for young writers to be social in a virtual setting, and to find fun and inspiration in each other.
Tuesday virtual workshop is a nice way for young writers to be social in a virtual setting, and to find fun and inspiration in each other.
Teen Writers - In Person In Hadley (Ages 12 - 18)
We start with chatting and a group brainstorm. We read poetry out loud or a reading related to the upcoming prompt. We offer many prompt choices and members are free to ignore the prompts if they choose. Many new pieces are started every week but writers are also encouraged to work on continuing pieces. We write for 30 minutes, then share the work in a circle of affirmative feedback. There is a social/snack break in the middle.
Writers can join on Zoom if need be. Workshops may be fully virtual at times.
Writers can join on Zoom if need be. Workshops may be fully virtual at times.
Summers on the Houseboat (Ages 12 - 18 )
Summers on the Houseboat sessions are a great way to make friends, complete a story or two, and generally enjoy those hot summer days. The day long program includes three writing and sharing periods. We begin here at the house and write and share twice in the morning, with a snack break in between. Around mid-day we head to the river for a lunch/swim/recreational break at the houseboat. In the afternoon we offer choices including a writing workshop circle, a simple art space, and an invitation to just hang out or read. A variety of prompts are given, pieces are written and shared, and affirmative feedback is offered. Through the course of the week we build a tight community of writers.
Woven Word Young Writers is based in Hadley, Massachusetts. For more specific questions, contact Lynn Bowmaster at [email protected].
"Every poet is a miniaturist of meaning, building cathedrals of beauty and truth..."