자매애: 창작 글쓰기 및 사회 클럽(13-18)

This popular ongoing safe space is designed for creative writers and storytellers - poetry, fiction, or both. Learners respond to writing prompts using any genre they feel inspired to write each week. Anyone can join for friendship, fun in-class writing, flexible thinking activities, and voluntary sharing - but this class is particularly recommended for girls. 

It’s a great fit for three types of students: 
✔️ the learner who is a solid writer and needs to be creatively challenged
✔️ the learner who is a storyteller but may lack confidence in ability
✔️ the learner who wants a place to hang out, have fun with writing, and bond with others

Members learn to think outside the box and "on the spot" with flexible thinking writing activities, build personal confidence, and bond with others who also enjoy creating fictional stories or poetry while practicing positive peer interaction. Some members have built portfolios of writing used for college admissions while others have simply written for enjoyment. The best way I can describe it is a session of non-stop smiling.

WHY I CREATED THE SISTERHOOD
Unlike traditional essay writing, which focuses heavily on spelling and grammar, this group focuses on the joys of creative writing, emphasizes content, and encourages creativity - an area I was not able to fully address as a former public school teacher prepping students for state assessments. 

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 line. 

CAMERAS ON FOR A SAFE SPACE
Black screens do not promote trust in a group. Because this is a social club and learners are vulnerably sharing their talents, learners are required to have working cameras in the “on” position and appear onscreen for the duration of class. 

APPROPRIATE SHARING
There are parameters for healthy sharing in a school environment. Cursing, sexual content, and/or bullying are not acceptable or tolerated within any genre. 

AUTHOR TRANSPARENCY
Before sharing, "trigger warnings" are appropriate for anything considered horror should you happen to write in this genre at any time during the class.

CLASS AGENDA
✔️ Each class starts with Lighthearted “chatbreakers” (a popular icebreaker activity in the chat box). This activity allows the learners to bond with each other and me which creates a space where they feel comfortable sharing. The chat continues to roll during class with members' ideas and comments. 

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

✔️ Sometimes, at the end of the session, and with any leftover time, writers are allowed to share something with the group if they choose during a “share & tell.”

SAMPLE WORKSHOP TOPICS
The writers in this group welcome new members into their writing family. I don’t reveal my topics each week before class but here’s a sample of a past class.

FICTION:
Scene building using one of the following - two characters sitting at the end of a bridge, a foot chase, an interrogation of a homicide suspect (channel your true crime obsession here), or a character visiting a cemetery. Use the list of scene building characteristics provided to guide your writing.  

POETRY:
A morning sunrise with different shades of brilliant colors, a goodbye, a sunset as a metaphor for death, a disappointment, or a 10 line poem about things you'll never understand.

PERSONAL OBSERVATION: 
Why do some people need “control?” 

RANT: 
People who don’t respect your time.

TEACHER EXPERIENCE
✔ certified secondary 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. 

TEACHING STYLE
✔ As a young writer, listening to my peers' writing was the #1 most valuable tool in developing my style. I credit those experiences for my professional success as a writer. 
✔ I'm entertaining and friendly.
✔ I prioritize creating a safe, enjoyable space and a quality, fun experience every time.

CLASS STRUCTURE
✔ students may enroll at any time 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

PAUSING
Please note that pausing a subscription does not guarantee a seat upon return. I do like to be transparent about this since the seats in my popular classes disappear quickly as soon as they are let go each week.