2018 Summer Creative Writing Intensives – PHOTO RECAP

In our 6th year, we really stretched our creative muscles with new workshops, writing-based activities, and adventures that sparked the minds of our talented young writers. Here’s just a taste of what our summer was like.

In our classes, we invited creativity and discovered fabulous new words and new worlds.

Chris Kapp teaches "Elements of Fiction."
Students shared their work for feedback from instructors and peers.
Kevin Pyle introduces the basics in "Writing Graphic Novels"
Kevin Pyle reviews a story idea with a student.
Stories happen in many forms and formats.
Creativity also happens in many different positions!
In "Live Your Character" students started walking... then running... then running for their lives!
Then they wrote about the experience they imagined.
There was also our "Paperwad Battle!"
First shout, then toss. Then write about the conflict in a scene.
Libby Cudmore teaching "Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Mystery, too!" - mind-sparking props provided.
Michelle Cameron guided students in diagramming their plots.
Judith Lindbergh teaching in her typically unusual pose!
Michelle Cameron listening to student work in "Fiction Focus: Character Building."
There's always time for some fun group writing!

But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t time for friendship and fun!

Lunch was time for rest, relaxation, laughter and...
ULTIMATE FRISBEE!
Some chose to take a break. Others chose to write through lunch.
Writing can happen anyplace and in any comfy position.
In our Tuesday Teen Writers Circles, the teens shared their work and their thoughts while the adults got out of the way.
And Abbie held her very special Writers Circle on Thursdays before our reading rehearsal.
Afternoons got interesting with group writing fun.
Judith explains the rules for our internationally-inspired writing game.
1...2...3...Grab your props!
Students break into groups and work together to create their 15-minute masterpieces.
Then they get up and perform!
"Dear Abby" letters inspired us to give some questionable advice.
Sharing the letter aloud.
And then the response.
And then, hilarity!

Notebooks in hand, our Wednesday adventures took us far and near.

WEEK ONE: "The Play's the THING! at SOPAC" Chip Davis starts off our day of playwriting on the SOPAC stage.
Students worked with professional actors to create their characters and see them come alive. With Liz Grossinger.
Getting direction on developing a character. With Darin Earl.
After all the character development, the students spread out to write.
Chip Davis directs actors Liz Grossinger and Darin Earl on performing a student's scene.
Darin Earl and Liz Grossinger bringing a student's play to life!
WEEK TWO: "Manhattan Meander" We started off in Grand Central Station, watching, listening, taking it all in.
Then we headed to The Algonquin Hotel to visit with the ghosts of writers of another age.
We lunched in Bryant Park, taking in the sights, scents, and sounds of the city.
And when we happened upon a piano being played, there was dancing!
Finally, we entered the magnificent New York Public Library's Reading Room.
Everyone found their own personal muse in this temple to intellect and creativity where inspiration is always in the air.
WEEK THREE: "ESCAPE!" Signing up for the Escape Rooms in Madison, NJ. Take your pick: Medieval Madness or Creepy Cabin in the Woods?
Getting ready to go where no one has gone before!
Is it really safe?
Here we go!
Meanwhile, upstairs in the Virtual Reality Suite, we put on goggled and prepared for a wild ride.
Ready, aim, SHOOT!
Even if you weren't wearing the VR equipment, you could see what was going on!
At last! We're out! We're alive!
This group found the Holy Grail. And yes, all this did result in some pretty impressive writing that was shared in the afternoon back at Drew U.

After a week of amazing work, it was time to share at our Family & Friends Reading.

Words of advice before our rehearsal on Thursday.
Excitement mounts as we wait for our audience to arrive.
Samples of our student's work from "Writing Graphic Novels" graced the walls of our refreshment table.
Judith and Michelle thank our invaluable interns before the reading.
Each student shares a portion of the work they've created during the week.
Thank you all for coming and sharing your wonderful writers with us. We hope to see you again in 2019!

Thanks to all our incredible instructors, interns and staff!

Christina Kapp taught “Elements of Fiction,” Kevin C. Pyle taught “Writing Graphic Novels” and Catherine Doty taught “Exploring Poetry” in Week 1.

Libby Cudmore taught “SciFi, Fantasy & Mystery, too!” and Steph Auteri taught “WRITE ON Nonfiction with Purpose” in Week 2.

Eric “Myster E” Shandroff taught “Poetry SHOUT OUT” and Lesley Scammell taught “Exploring Playwriting” in Week 3.

Libby Cudmore taught "SciFi, Fantasy & Mystery, too!" in Week 2

Steph Auteri taught "WRITE ON Nonfiction with Purpose" in Week 2

Eric “Myster-E” Shandroff taught “Poetry SHOUT OUT” in Week 3

Lesley Scammell taught “Exploring Playwriting” in Week 3

Our amazing interns: Jake, Rebecca, Casey, Defne, Olivia, Alex, Craig and Chloe!

Abbie Davidson, our incomparable Program Coordinator.

And our tireless directors, Judith Lindbergh and Michelle Cameron.

TWC Founder/Director Judith Lindbergh taught “Fiction Focus: Character Building,” “Live your Characters,” and “Fiction Focus: World Building.”

TWC Co-Director Michelle Cameron taught “Fiction Focus: Character Building” and “Elements of Fiction.”

TWC Founder/Director Judith Lindbergh taught “Fiction Focus: Character Building,” “Live your Character,” and “Fiction Focus: World Building.” TWC Co-Director Michelle Cameron taught “Fiction Focus: Character Building” and “Elements of Fiction.”

All this awesomeness happened at Brothers College, Drew University, Madison, NJ

Yes, we’ll be back at Drew next summer!

JOIN US!

For more information, join our email list, contact us or call (973) 900-0415.

Visit our

2018 Summer Intensive Photo Recap

And be sure to read these young writers' work in

The Writers Circle Journal Online Journal

What Students & Parents Say about the Summer Intensives...

FROM STUDENTS

The friends I made and the hilarious conversations I had were the best part."

"I loved visualizing the setting and sensory details! I got so immersed that I even got giddy!”

“The most valuable thing I learned in the Creative Nonfiction workshop was how to use personal experiences to constructively tackle a major issue.”

"Got the writing out of my head and made it feel more alive."

"We were really encouraged to be creative and to use our energy and thoughts and crazy concepts."

"The most valuable part was hearing others’ work. It allowed me to reflect on my own”

"I made more progress on my fictional world in these five days than I had during the two years I had the idea."

"Good emphasis on balance of different things in writing."

“The vibe of this place… made me a better writer.”

“The Wednesday activity was really incredible and it sparked lots of inspiration for possible plots.”

“ It’s incredible to gain new perspectives on my work. Simply being surrounded by writers better than myself is eye-opening, inspiring, and life-changing. It’s the highlight of my year!”

"This year’s intensive was absolutely amazing."

"Getting time to write on my own and having a peer critique to bounce ideas off people and offer suggestions to them was a really wonderful experience."

"Loved the lessons taught in the class and the creativity encouraged."

Poetry was "Absolutely amazing - an awesome mix between constructive/critical commentary.”

“I loved the fact that I had a place where I could just sit and write without having to worry about time restraints.”

"Loved the Wednesday event! It was amazing working with the actors to flesh out characters."

"I feel like I learned an incredible amount about the medium of graphic novels.”

FROM PARENTS

"Thank you for everything you have done to make this the best two weeks of summer for my child!"

"My child thought it was really cool to get to combine ideas and styles with her group during the Wednesday event, and found that experience very valuable."

"A: good blend of academic; creativity; letting off steam with frisbee; guest speakers and off campus trips."

"Judith Lindbergh was incredibly knowledgeable and understanding and all around amazing."

"Excellent coaching on how to be creative writer and high class instruction in language arts."

My child learned how to think creatively and build a story that is centered around imagination."

All this awesomeness happened at Brothers College, Drew University, Madison, NJ

Yes, we'll be back at Drew next summer!

JOIN US!

For more information, join our email list, contact us or call (973) 900-0415.

2018 Summer Creative Writing Intensives – PHOTO RECAP

In our classes, we invited creativity and discovered fabulous new words and new worlds.

But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t time for friendship and fun!

Notebooks in hand, our Wednesday adventures took us far and near.

After a week of amazing work, it was time to share at our Family & Friends Reading.

Thanks to all our incredible instructors, interns and staff!

All this awesomeness happened at Brothers College, Drew University, Madison, NJ

JOIN US!

Check out the memories

2018 Summer Intensive Photo Recap

The Writers Circle Journal Online Journal

What Students & Parents Say about the Summer Intensives...

FROM STUDENTS

FROM PARENTS

All this awesomeness happened at Brothers College, Drew University, Madison, NJ

JOIN US!

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