The Writer’s Journey for Teens

For the past several summers, I’ve had some very talented, young writers join the weekly writing groups I have been leading in Santa Cruz for the past ten years. These groups are primarily for adults, but everyone thoroughly enjoyed the addition of young people into our writing circle.

At the end of this last summer's session, the students from Georgiana Bruce Kirby School decided they wanted to continue studying with me during the school year, so I offered to teach an afternoon writing group for teen writers to be held after early dismissal on Fridays. “If you organize it,” I told them, “I’ll teach it.”

So we met last year....and had a productive, creative time. Last year's class was weekly. This year, we're going to meet once a month to allow time for the myriad of other activities out kids are involved in.

And so I’m offering a teen writing class to be held at Kirby on Friday afternoons, from 1:00-3:30. The class is open to any teenager who can make a Friday afternoon class. (Note: There is still space in the spring semester class--but I'm having trouble with my registration system. If you're interested, email me.)

For young people who love to write, this class will offer a welcome break from assignments, set style requirements, MLA format, tests, grades, and the limited opportunities for creative writing in required English classes.

My goal is to help each student to find his or her unique voice, exploring subjects of their own choosing. Students will have the opportunity to develop their creative craft—creating vivid stories, whether they are creative non-fiction, personal stories, essays, articles or fiction.

Each class session will include spontaneous writing prompts. There will also be the opportunity for students who are working on a writing project at home (for their own pleasure) to bring their work to the group for feedback and constructive critique.

There will be no assignments or homework. Our focus will be on the writing we do together each week in class and on providing feedback on projects from home that the students choose to bring to class. (I will provide a wide variety of writing prompts and will teach the class members how to give constructive, supportive feedback).

My hope is that members of this class will rediscover the pleasure of writing, hone their writing skills, and experience the inspiration of being part of a supportive, creative community of their peers.

This class is not being offered for credit and is not an official part of the Kirby curriculum, but will be a great extracurricular for college applications.