Summer Writing Classes

If you are in the Greenville or Easley area, I'm teaching one adult class and two writing camps for kids and would like you (or your child) to join me!

FICTION 102

Are you interested in strengthening your writing skills and developing tools to write compelling fiction? Join me at Joe's Place in Greenville, SC from 5:30-7 every Monday evening in June. We will explore theme, deep point of view, voice, the role of the antagonist, world building, deepening scenes, plus editing and revision. Classes combine lecture with writing activities, critique, and feedback and are suitable for all writing levels. Previous writing and/or publishing experience is not necessary.  Class size is limited to 8. Interested in attending? Shoot me an email at cbaldwin6@me.com.

Schedule

June 4 Deep Point of View and Developing Your Character’s Voice

June 11 The Role of the Antagonist and Creating Authentic Dialogue

June 18 World Building and Deepening Scene Intensity

June 25 Theme: What is the Big Idea? Editing and Revision.

Payment Information

Classes are $40.00 each and you can pay through Pay Pal (top right of the sidebar) or the evening of the class with a check or cash. Or, receive a $20.00 discount by paying $140.00 ahead of time for the entire month. 

*************

KIDS CAMPS

Blogging for Kids  

June 11-15, 2-4, $80.00. Rising 6th-10th graders.

Does your child dream of becoming a reporter or newscaster? Then he or she needs to practice descriptive writing! In this fun blogging camp, students will learn how to write attention-grabbing articles that will be posted on our camp blog. They will gain valuable critiquing skills as they comment on each other posts. Each camper needs an email address and Laptop or IPad in order to compose during class and post their work on the blog. A phone or camera is helpful, but not necessary. 

Register online at Fine Arts Center of Easley or call 864-442-6027.

Fiction 101 for Tweens and Teens

July 16-20, 1-3 PM, 4-10th grade, $80.00

This is for the budding author in your family! This fun, hands-on writing camp will stretch imaginations and promote creativity. On the first day we will lay the ground work by acquiring writing tools such as Learn from Literature; Exercise Muscle Words; Show, Don’t Tell; and Details Make the Difference. From there, campers will create an authentic character, sensory setting, and believable plot. Laptops or iPads are recommended but not required.

Register online at Fine Arts Center of Easley. Or call 864-442-6027.

Blogging Benefits Teen Writers

A recent report featured in E-School News, indicated that teens who blog write more frequently both online and offline, according to a study by Pew Internet and American Life Project with support from the College Board and its National Commission on Writing.

In fact, "Forty-seven percent of teen bloggers write outside of school for personal reasons several times a week or more, compared with 33 percent of teens without blogs. Sixty-five percent of teen bloggers believe that writing is essential to later success in life; 53 percent of non-bloggers say the same thing."

The report goes on to quote Bradley A. Hammer, who teaches in Duke University's writing program. "In real ways, blogging and other forms of virtual debate actually foster the very types of intellectual exchange, analysis, and argumentative writing that universities value," he wrote in an op-ed piece last August." Be sure to read his full article in which he defends the use of blogs and other alternative forms of written expression in his university classroom.

I know as an avid blogger myself, that I feel a responsibility to organize my thoughts in a well-written format before hitting the "publish" button. One has to take the responsibility of writing to an audience very seriously. Similarly, blogging is not only a way for teens and young adults to use their writing skills for a specific task for a specific audience, but appears to be a promising new tool for language arts teachers as well.

I am writing this from Atlanta, where tomorrow I will be presenting a session at the IRA on, "Learn from the Masters: How Creating a Fictional Character Enhances Reading Instruction." Hopefully, afterwards I'll have the opportunity to talk to lots of teachers about the benefits of writing short fiction as well as the benefits of blogging!

Technorati Tags:
eschool news, teens blogging, IRA, Bradley Hammer
Add to: | Technorati | Digg | del.icio.us | Yahoo | BlinkList | Spurl | reddit | Furl |