Creative Writers Workshop

Creative Writers Workshop offers rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors an opportunity to develop writing skills in an intensive pre-college writing program. Applicants selected for the program attend classes designed to help young writers concentrate on fiction, nonfiction and poetry, screenwriting, graphic novel, and magazine writing. During the five-week program, students write, workshop, revise and develop a portfolio of their work. Students who complete the program will have an opportunity to participate in a final reading to demonstrate the writing skills they have learned.

Please note: This program is designed for students who want intensive training in creative writing, have respect for the writing process, and understand how to manage their time and complete assignments both in and out of the classroom. Students entering grades 10, 11, and 12 during the 2013-2014 academic year, who have the desire and maturity to receive constructive criticism about their work and give helpful feedback to others during the program are encouraged to apply.

Program Features

Creative Writers Workshop focuses on developing writing skills in those who are interested in learning different forms of writing. During the program, Creative Writers students:

• Explore fiction and nonfiction and their various subgenres
• Focus on the basic language, techniques, and traditions in three chosen genres
• Learn the revision through the workshop process
• Write and read their original work
• Create a portfolio of their work
• Hear the work of classmates and pre-college faculty
• Attend lectures by guest writers and publishers
• Learn about careers in writing and the literary life

Creative Writers Reading Series and Final Reading

During the five-week program, students will have the opportunity to read their work and hear the work of Pre-College faculty members. Readings take place at the Emerson College Barnes & Noble Bookstore. Students will have an opportunity to participate in a final reading of their work for parents and friends. Final Reading: August 10, 2013.

Program Dates and Costs

Program Dates (including required orientation): July 6–August 10, 2013
Final Reading: August 10, 2013
Move-out day for on-campus students: August 11, 2013–by noon

Creative Writers Workshop per student: $2,495
Lunch, Monday through Friday, is included in the program fee.

On-Campus Housing per student: $3,195

Non-refundable application fee: $30
Creative Writers Workshop Priority Application Deadline: April 30, 2013

Who May Apply

Creative Writers Workshop is designed for students who want intensive training in creative writing, have respect for the writing process, and understand how to manage their time and complete assignments both in and out of the classroom. Students entering grades 10, 11, and 12 during the 2013-2014 academic year, who have the desire and maturity to receive constructive criticism about their work and give helpful feedback to others during the program are encouraged to apply. Each candidate for the Creative Writers Workshop must submit the required application form (completed and signed), a non-refundable $30 application fee, and the following documents.

• Student Statement of Purpose: In one or two pages, please describe: 1) what you hope to achieve during the program, and 2) an event that you feel has prepared you for the pre-college program. In your statement, please indicate which Fundamentals, Elective, and Breakout sessions courses you would like to take.
• Essay: In one page, discuss a book and/or writer that you believe is most influential to your work.
• Teacher Recommendation: Please submit at least one recommendation, completed by a teacher who knows your work, in a sealed envelope with the teacher’s signature across the back seal. If possible, the teacher should know your work in the field to which you are applying.
• Creative Writing Samples: Submit one of the following creative writing samples that best illustrates your interests and writing ability. Write your name on each page and submit no more than 10 pages:
  
  a. Prose of either fiction or nonfiction (two to five pages, double-spaced)
  b. Two to four poems, single-spaced
  c. Mixed samples of both fiction and poetry

We will accept applications through June 17, 2013. Admission to Emerson College's Arts and Communication Pre-College Programs is on a rolling basis. We suggest applying early, as space is limited. Admission decisions are made frequently.

The priority application deadline for Creative Writers Workshop is April 30, 2013.

International Student Applicants
International student applicants must provide additional application materials. Read international student information for applicants to pre-college programs.

Creative Writing Classes

Fundamentals Classes

Each student will choose a fundamentals class that will focus on the basic language, techniques, and traditions in the chosen genre.

The Art of Fiction
In the Art of Fiction class students practice the basics of writing fiction including description, dialogue, tone, and plot. By discussing and analyzing contemporary published fiction, students identify narrative techniques and strategies. In addition, students examine the workshop process as well as different genres that exist within fiction.

The Art of Prose: Fiction and Nonfiction
In the Art of Prose class students discover the universal elements of writing: style, clarity, image, and language. They also discuss and analyze contemporary writers in fiction and nonfiction, as well their own work, while examining the workshop process.

Breakout Sessions

Students will explore other aspects of writing and publishing by choosing between one of two breakout sessions.

The Graphic Novel: Creating a Visual Story
The Graphic Novel course focuses on developing and structuring a story to fit the graphic novel form. Through reading graphic novels and writing exercises, students learn to write an effective script for the graphic storytelling format. No artistic experience is necessary to take this course.

Screenwriting: Turning Ideas into Scripts
Screenwriting 
focuses on writing for film. Students learn the three-act screenplay structure and work toward writing scenes and/or completing a screenplay.

Elective Classes

Each student will choose an elective course that demonstrates how the fundamentals of writing play out in particular genres.

Introduction to Magazine Writing
This course will help students develop, research, and write feature stories, editorials, reviews (books, music, and movies), and personal essays. Students will also learn how to submit their work to magazines.

Slam Poetry: Writing and Performing
Students create original poems around common themes and subjects as well as themes important to them. Focus is also placed on current slam and performance poets. Students learn to effectively use their voice and body language to deliver their poems and are encouraged to perform material at the program’s reading series and final reading.

Other Program Highlights

Writing Seminar
In Writing Seminar, students cover weekly themed topics relating to writing and the writing life. Themes may include, but are not limited to: Using Social Media as a Writer, Revising Your Work, Public Speaking and the Creative Writer.

Writing Lab
In Writing Lab, students will do guided writing exercises to get the creative juices flowing before delving into their current projects. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize this time to work on pieces that could be part of their writing portfolios.

Creative Writers Workshop Reading Series
Students read their work and hear the work of pre-college faculty members. Readings take place at the Emerson College Barnes and Noble Bookstore.

Guest Speaker Hour
Students meet published writers or editors who address related topics such as: publishing, careers in writing, and the literary life.

Literary Magazine
During the program, students will be encouraged to submit their work to the online literary magazine. Read The Elm, written by members of the Creative Writers Workshop.

Schedule

Schedule is subject to change.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Fundamentals Class, 9:00–11:30 am
Elective Class, 1:00–3:00 pm
Breakout Class, 3:00–5:00 pm

Tuesday and Thursday
Writing Seminar 9:00 am–noon
Guest Speaker Hour, 1:00–2:00 pm
Writing Lab, 2:00–3:00 pm
Field Trips, 3:00–5:00 pm

EMERSON COLLEGE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ANY PROVISION OF THIS PROGRAM AT ANY TIME. THE COLLEGE SPECIFICALLY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ITS TUITION RATES AND ANY OTHER FINANCIAL CHARGES. THE COLLEGE ALSO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REARRANGE ITS COURSES AND CLASS HOURS, TO DROP COURSES FOR WHICH REGISTRATION FALLS BELOW THE MINIMUM ENROLLMENT, AND TO CHANGE INSTRUCTOR ASSIGNMENTS.