Creative Writing Bootcamp (Live)
In this 4-day live bootcamp, students will learn all about creative writing. They will read advice from great writers, discuss the writing process using the Socratic method during class meetings, and draft their own short story.
New on Outschool
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursProjects
4+ hours per week. Reading assignments will be required prior to each class meeting. Daily writing assignments will also be offered. I will provide grading and feedback on these assignments if it is desired. In order to receive a grade or a certificate of completion for the course, students must complete these assignments. Given that this is a bootcamp, completion of the written assignments is very strongly encouraged even if a student doesn’t wish to receive a grade or a certificate.Letter Grade
Letter grades will be offered as an option for students who complete all of the written assignments.Certificate of Completion
A certificate of completion will be offered as an option for students who complete all of the written assignments.Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Course Description: In this four-day bootcamp, students will read and discuss several authors’ perspectives on the creative writing process, and apply the techniques they learn to create their own complete short story. Class meetings will utilize a Socratic format where the instructor facilitates a discussion using guided questions. This enables students to interact with each other, the instructor, and the content more actively than in a traditional lecture-style course. Please note that this course will explore a variety of potentially difficult topics, ideas, and events from divergent perspectives. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to review the overview section below in order to determine if they want their child to analyze and discuss this content. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have. *****All learners will be required to have their cameras on for the duration of the live class meetings. This promotes an engaged learning environment for all students.***** Assignments and Grading Policies: Each class meeting will have an assigned reading of something a professional writer has to say about the creative writing process. Students are free to read more of each text if they so choose, but the class discussion and written assignments will focus on the assigned passages. It is important that students do the assigned readings in order to get the most out of the bootcamp. Given the high level of these examples, I only expect that students have made a good faith effort to adopt best practices in their own work, not that they have always successfully done so. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to submit written work for feedback and grading. In order to obtain a grade or obtain a certificate, students must draft and revise a roughly 1000-word short story. Given that this is a bootcamp, completion of the written assignments is very strongly encouraged even if a student doesn’t wish to receive a grade or a certificate. The use or aid of any AI tools or large language models is prohibited for written assignments in this bootcamp. *****Readings and written assignments are placed on the date that they are due on the syllabus, not the date that they are assigned.*****
Learning Goals
Students will hone their own writing skills, practice actively participating in group discussions, and gain a better cultural and analytical understanding of their world.Students will come away having read several successful authors’ advice for techniques to use in the writing process, and applied these techniques to write their own story.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum4 Lessons
over 1 WeekLesson 1:
Craft
Students will read a segment from Stephen King's "On Writing." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions.
There will also be a written assignment. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Creativity
Students will read a segment from Ray Bradbury's "Zen in the Art of Writing." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions.
There will also be a written assignment. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Character
Students will read a segment from Orson Scott Card's "Characters and Viewpoint." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions.
There will also be a written assignment. 50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Revision
Students will read a segment from Matt Bell's "Refuse to Be Done." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions.
There will also be a written assignment. 50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Please note that this course will explore a variety of potentially difficult topics, ideas, and events from divergent perspectives. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to review the syllabus in order to determine if they wish their child to analyze and discuss this content. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.
Supply List
If your student wishes to read more than the assigned portions of the texts, or if you prefer to have physical copies of the books themselves, below are the editions we will be using in this bootcamp: Bell, Matt. Refuse to Be Done: How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in Three Drafts. New York: Soho Press, 2022. Bradbury, Ray. Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius within You. New York: Bantam Books, 1992. Card, Orson Scott. Characters and Viewpoint. New York: Penguin Books, 1988. King, Stephen. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. New York: Scribner, 2020.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined June, 2024
New on Outschool
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Philosophy from Northern Illinois University
Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from Illinois Wesleyan University
I have a BA in Philosophy with minors in Political Science and Greek and Roman Studies, as well as an MA in Philosophy with a concentration in Ethics and Political Philosophy. I’m the head coach of a competitive high school debate team and teach the liberal arts at a classical school. I’m also a professional creative writer and journalist.
I love helping students of all ages understand and interpret difficult subjects and learn how to crystallize their thoughts in writing and oral communication. I believe studying the written word is a wonderful way to facilitate this kind of growth and learning.Reviews
Live Group Course
$100
for 4 classes4x per week, 1 week
50 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
1-18 learners per class
