Creative Writers Workshop

Creative Writers Workshop is an opportunity for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to participate in a focused pre-college writing program. Students who participate in Creative Writers Workshop attend intensive classes designed to help young writers concentrate on fiction, poetry, screenwriting, graphic novel, and magazine writing that includes: personal essay, interviews, and book and music reviews. At the end of the five-week program, students will have a final portfolio review of their work, contribute to the Creative Writers Workshop anthology, and present a reading to parents and friends.

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:

• Create a writing portfolio
• Explore the different subgenres within fiction and nonfiction
• Write and read their original work
• Learn the revision process that leads toward submitting completed pieces to a publication

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.

Program Dates and Costs

Program Dates (including required orientation): July 8–August 10, 2012

Creative Writers Workshop per student: $2,495
On-Campus Housing per student: $2,995

Who May Apply

High school students entering grades 10, 11, and 12 during the 2012–2013 academic year are welcome to apply to Creative Writers Workshop.

Creative Writers Workshop is perfect for students seeking intensive training in creative writing, and who understand how to manage their time and complete assignments both in and out of the classroom. Student writers 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, along with the following documents.

• Student Statement of Purpose: In one page, please describe what you hope to achieve during the 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 or writer that you believe is most influential or inspirational to your work.
• Teacher Recommendation: Please submit one recommendation, completed by a teacher who knows your work, in a sealed envelope with the teacher’s signature across the back seal.
• Creative Writing Samples: Submit one of the following creative writing samples. Please submit a sample 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

Download the Pre-College Studio Application Form (PDF)

Download the Pre-College Studio Teacher Recommendation Form (PDF)

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
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.

Creative Writing Overview
Students will discover the universal elements of writing such as style, clarity, image, and language in this class. They will also discuss and analyze contemporary writers in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry as well as their own work while learning the workshop process of writing.

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
This course will focus on developing and structuring a story to fit the graphic novel form. Through reading graphic novels and writing exercises, students will write an effective script for the graphic storytelling format. No artistic experience is necessary to take this course.

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

Elective Classes

Each student will choose an elective course that will demonstrate 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 will create original poems around common themes and subjects as well as themes important to them. Focus will also be placed on current slam and performance poets. Students will learn to effectively use their voice and body language to deliver their poems and will be encouraged to perform material at the program’s reading series and final reading.

Coffeehouse Hour

Students will meet published writers, editors, or guest speakers who will address related topics such as: publishing, careers in writing, and the literary life. Students will also use this time to do assignments for class or make photocopies.

Creative Writers Reading Series

During the five-week program, students will have opportunities to read their work and hear work by Pre-College faculty members. Readings take place at the Emerson College Barnes & Noble Bookstore.

Literary Magazine

During the program, students will be encouraged to submit their work to the online literary magazine.

Read The Elm, the literary magazine written by the members of the Creative Writers Workshop (2011).

Sample Schedule

Schedule is subject to change.

Weeks One to Five,
Monday to Friday

Fundamentals Class, 9:00–11:00 am
Coffeehouse Hour, 11:00 am–12:00 pm 
Lunch, 12:00–1:00 pm
Elective Class, 1:00–3:00 pm 
Breakout Session, 3:00–5:00 pm