The Sisterhood: Creative Writing and Social Club (7-8)

⭐CLASS SUMMARY⭐
This ongoing safe space is a creative writing club and is designed for learners who are currently into creative writing and storytelling. Members interact socially, learn to think outside the box with flexible thinking writing activities, and bond with others who also enjoy creating fictional stories. It's designed to increase critical thinking and creativity, build personal confidence, and practice positive peer interaction. The best way I can describe it is a session of non-stop smiling. 

All are welcomed to join us - but this class is particularly recommended for girls.

Unlike traditional writing which focuses heavily on spelling and grammar, this group focuses on the joy of writing, emphasizes content, and encourages creativity. No one sees a learner’s paper (or document) and I teach writers to overcome the pressures of correctness so they can access creativity and develop plot. After all, grammar and spelling can be addressed at a later stage and what’s the point of perfect spelling and grammar if you don’t have solid story content?

⭐CAMERAS ON FOR A SAFE SPACE⭐
Learners are required to have working cameras in the “on” position for the duration of class because this is a social group. Class is SAFER and more engaging. Please make sure your learner arrives with camera on. Black screens do not promote trust in a group.

⭐CLASS AGENDA⭐
Each class starts with a lighthearted “chatbreaker” (a popular icebreaker activity in the chat box). This activity allows the learners to bond with others in a low pressure way and creates a space where they feel comfortable sharing. The chat continues to roll during class with members' ideas and comments, stopping only when we are actively writing.

We follow up with unique, creative flexible thinking writing opportunities, and learners may voluntarily share their flexible thinking with the group.

At the end of the session, writers are allowed to share something with the group if they choose during “show & tell.” This portion often happens at the very end, and I stick around so they can finish interacting with the group. The class is officially over at the 45 minute mark, but I usually stay an extra 10 as a courtesy so that they can bond. Staying longer is COMPLETELY OPTIONAL. I just do this because so many of them love it. 

⭐SAMPLE TOPICS⭐
I do not reveal my creative topics prior to class so that learners are excited about them, and so they can practice one of our spotlighted skills - thinking on the spot - but here is an example of a recent session. Learners may pick one of the suggested topics or write a story of their own:

1. Use the following sentence as a story opener. Take it wherever your mind leads you: Suddenly, I realized I was staring at an underground portal. 

2. Begin a story with the following line. Then really create loads of detail so your readers can envision it in their minds like you do when you read your favorite author: The earthquake rumbled, and books began falling from the shelves in my room.

We operate in a respectful, supportive environment which promotes creativity and confidence. Truly, this is a special place to grow your storytelling and friend circle.

⭐ONGOING CLASS STRUCTURE⭐
✔ Learners may enroll at anytime because sessions do not build on one another
✔ conveniently auto-drafted each week and subscription can be easily stopped at any time on the Outschool page

⭐TEACHER EXPERTISE⭐
✔ certified English teacher with 30 years of teaching experience
✔ published freelance writer with poetry and narratives appearing in Coping with Cancer, Sasee Magazine and the international bestselling books, Chicken Soup for the Soul. 

⭐MY TEACHING STYLE⭐
✔ I’m friendly and engaging
✔ My #1 priority is creating a safe, enjoyable space
✔ It’s important to me to give you a quality, fun experience every time

⭐PAUSING A SUBSCRIPTION⭐
Please note that pausing a subscription using Outschool's automated system does not guarantee a seat upon return. 

ABOUT ME:
✔ I'm an animal lover with two crazy rescue dogs, Maxie and Calhoun.
✔ I got married on a glacier on the hit television show, Say Yes to the Dress - season 16: episode 2.
✔ I'm a 2-time cancer survivor.
✔ I live in Alaska!
✔ In 2005, the legendary Dolly Parton signed my guitar backstage in Dallas, Texas.