Every summer, The Writers Circle is awed by the creativity, unique voices, and enthusiasm of our Summer Intensive Teens. This year – our 7th – was no different. Here’s just a peek into what we did. Most importantly, a sampling of these young writers’ words is available in the 2019 Writers Circle Journal.
Enjoy!
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Mornings always begin with writing warm-ups.
Wiffleball words - first toss.... then make up a line.
Monday introductions are literary, too, by way of writing 8-word memoirs.
IN CLASSES EVERY MORNING
Every week students choose two out of four different classes and dive into writing in as many genres and styles as we can come up with.
ONCE UPON A CRIME: Mystery, Thriller and Crime Writing with Libby Cudmore
FREE WRITE AFTER LUNCH
Believe it or not, this is the teens’ FAVORITE time of day, when they can tuck in, concentrate, and get their words down on the screen or page.
But we always leave some time to run around and especially to play Ultimate Frisbee!
MONDAY SPECIAL GUESTS & EVENTS
Crime Scene Conundrum with Libby Cudmore
TUESDAY PEER CRITIQUE GROUPS
and other group activities help get everyone comfortable sharing ideas, critiquing (NOT criticizing!), and helping each other develop their work.
Sharing work aloud is part of being a writer.
WEDNESDAYS ARE FOR LITERARY ADVENTURES!
Every Wednesday we interrupt our usual programming to set off on a literary adventure that will inspire the students’ writing in a unique, experiential way.
Week 1 South Mountain Recreation Area and Turtleback Zoo
Here we go into the woods at the South Mountain Reservation.
Week 2 The Whitney Museum and the Highline, NYC
Exploring the Highline in NYC.
Week 3 “Haunted Drew”
(Did you know Drew U. is one of the top 10 most haunted campuses in the USA?)
Writer/Actor/Director Chip Davis prepares students for our tour of "Haunted Drew."
THURSDAY REHEARSALS and FRIDAY FRIENDS & FAMILY READING
Getting up and sharing writing aloud is a sometimes nerve-wracking prospect, but it’s a necessary part of being a writer today – and any day. Hey, Mark Twain did it. Dickens, too!
Every year we say the same thing, but it’s true: we couldn’t have done any of this without our…
AMAZING INSTRUCTORS
Libby Cudmore taught Once Upon a Crime.
FANTASTIC INTERNS and STAFF
Rebecca Kilroy
and some REALLY SPECIAL GUESTS
NY Times journalist and author Debra Galant joins Joe Amditis' Journalism Crash Course.
GROUP SHOTS FROM EACH WEEK
And of course,
OUR (fearless?) DIRECTORS
Be sure to read these young writers’ work in
