The Creative Writing Zone: Using Writing Prompts to Spark Creativity

This class is for anyone who loves writing and wants to learn new things, but it's also for anyone who is reluctant to write because they don't know what to say. In other words, this class is for everyone! We will cover a range of topics, writing styles, and types of writing - and all of it will be made simple and accessible through easy writing practice.

1) To start with, each week we will learn about a different type of creative non-fiction or a different fiction genre, as well as reviewing some of the basic elements of creative writing. (See below section for lists of genres, styles, and topics that will be covered.)

2) Then, one or more inspiring writing prompts will be given and learners will have the opportunity to practice what they learned in short writing sessions (about 5 minutes). The writing prompts will take different forms including written words, songs, videos, and pictures.

3) Learners will have the opportunity to share their writing and receive feedback during each class.

Creative Non-Fiction topics may include: journal writing, autobiographical writing/memoirs, writing about history, personal essays, travel writing, food writing, interviews, sports writing

Fiction genres may include: fantasy, mystery, science fiction, ghost, thriller, suspense, western, adventure, comedy, fairy tale

Creative writing elements may include: figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, idiom, alliteration), choosing the correct words (vocabulary building), literary devices (personification, foreshadowing, imagery, dialogue), plot, setting, theme, style, point of view

The weekly breakdown for classes beginning in February 2023 is:

Week of Feb 13-17                Personification
Week of Feb 20-24              Sensory Details
Week of Feb 27 – Mar 3      Story Writing
Week of Mar 6-10                Hyperbole
Week of Mar 13-17               Science Fiction
Week of March 20-24	      Dialogues
Week of March 27-31          Similes & Metaphors
Week of April 3-7                Protagonists
Week of April 10-14            Fractured Fairy Tales
Week of April 17-21            Personal Narratives