Young Writers Austin
guidance for creative and academic writers, ages 8-18
Creative Writing Workshops
Is your child passionate about creative writing? Do they love composing song lyrics? Are they always talking about the backstory for a video game they want to create? Perhaps you have a poet in the making or a budding novelist, or maybe your child wants to write a screenplay for a blockbuster movie. I'd love to help foster their creative growth by including them in one of my writing workshops. Classes are supportive and intimate, capped at six students. If you don't see a date and time that work for your child, please reach out. Current and upcoming workshops can be found here. To register for a class, contact me here.
Stories with an unexpected twist: that's K.'s specialty!
“They really talk about the issues that they’re struggling with in a positive and expanding way. I think it’s awesome that my daughter now has another adult to light the way and also that she’s bonding so strongly with kids who go to other schools.” - A. West, parent
This is the room in my house where we meet. Comfortable & cozy!
We dressed up as one of our favorite characters from a children's book. (I went as Strawberry Girl.)
Sometimes when I have two workshops with students the same age we get together for holiday parties. This image is from an 8th & 9th grade Winter Celebration.
One of our seniors made felt animals for some of the other students. They're still here for extra comfort!
M. at one of my very first workshops way back in 2014
T. was one of the first students to finish writing a novel!
One night during class I looked over and saw that J. had drawn this on her iPad. She captured all seven of us, including the smile and the YAY.
Sometimes in order to get in touch with our characters we pretend to BE them. Here I'm getting in touch with my five-year-old self.
"My daughter has been writing with Jennifer for over two years now; she loves it! This is her happy place, her motivation and her deepening confidence in her creative self. I firmly believe this is the best investment we could make for our daughter. If she had to choose only one activity outside of school, Jennifer's workshop would be it." - K.J., parent
Why yes, I did dress up as a leopard for a Halloween creative writing workshop!
“This is a place where I can pour my heart and soul into my writing, and really be myself.” A.D. - age 17
The 7th graders wrote a a collaborative story and decided to illustrate Shannon, the main character.
The Recipe for a Story workshop for 4th & 5th graders is always a huge hit!
One of my favorite workshops every year includes a burning ceremony, where we write down what worked - and what didn't - from the previous year, as well as our intentions for the new year ahead.
Not gonna lie - the students like to watch their regrets from the previous year and their hopes for the new year burn!
Once the ashes cool, I bury them in the yard. Compost to nourish what comes next for these writers!
During the pandemic we met on Zoom, then outside on my deck, then in person with masks. Here we're playing Poetry Roulette with poetry cards by Jennifer Bloom.
"It's a wonderful class, and it's full of fun and interesting people." - T. B., age 14
Here we're watching a video about concepts of beauty throughout history and talking about how society shapes our perception of appearance.
"Under normal circumstances, the writing group is a great creative outlet. During rougher weeks, it's almost therapeutic. On days that have otherwise been boring or lonely, it's an opportunity to hang out with friends. Most importantly, it is the only place that I know of where I can say (and write) completely insane things and no one bats an eye." - Sam, age 16
Because my creative writing workshops are capped at six students, we become close-knit little groups. We talk about anything and everything, and work on active listening skills.
After our holiday party, some of the 7th graders walked down the street to Amy's Ice Cream and sent me this photo update.
Conversations over a cup of tea - so good we have to set a timer so we have time to write and share.
Some students take a while to warm up and decline at first to share their writing . D. didn't want to share for quite a while, almost nine months! But when they did, we were spellbound.
Another view of the room where I hold my creative writing workshops.
Sometimes a writing prompt as simple as "a kitten on Valentine's Day" can take a dark turn. A. had the macabre down pat!
At the holiday workshop for 10th & 11th graders we make sugar cookies, exchange Secret Snowflake gifts, and write with winter-themed prompts.
“My daughter absolutely loves being a part of Jennifer’s teen class! Since she began this class, she is much more interested in writing. I love this safe place that Jennifer has provided for the kids to talk, write, share their writing, and grow close in friendship.” - Gloria K., parent
V., a precocious 6th grader, came to class frustrated because all the Halloween costumes she was finding online were "sexy." Our conversation that night was electric - and spawned a fabulous collaborative story.
For a while there the 6th graders took turns braiding my hair every week during our conversation time!
Mini class? No problem. We went to Steeping Room for tea & treats while we wrote!
J. working on the second draft of their 124,000 word novel
These girls took my very first workshop. Hard to believe they're finishing college now!
What the 8th & 9th graders said:
"It's a place to express."
"There are no expectations, so there's a lot of freedom."
"The workshop has a really good structure, and the conversation really opens the floodgates so you can write."
"I don't think we can sum up this class. It's wild!"
Come for the writing, stay for the dog!
Part of what I love about my creative writing workshops is that students who would normally never socialize end up being friends!
Some students take dressing up as their character VERY seriously.
A. could always be counted on to hold my elderly beagle, Silky, on her lap while we talked. RIP Silky!
When A. asked if she could bring her new kittens to class to show everyone, of course I said yes!
Hard not to end up loving my students!
What the 10th & 11th graders said:
"It's therapeutic."
"You get to talk about yourself."
"You get to gossip abut things no one else will know about."
"You don't have to stick with a project."
"You don't have deadlines."
"You can talk about anyting."
"You can write about whatever you want."
"You're not restricted to a genre."
"Community fuels creativity."
The seniors each received this James Avery heart charm as my parting gift. Three hearts, I said. One for the girl, one for me, one for our writing group. When I texted later to say how much I missed them, I got this photo from L. along with a message: "Don't worry, I have y'all with me!"