Creative Writing Classes

“The world about us would be desolate except for the world within us”
~ Wallace Stevens

Bring your creative license and explore the possibilities of written expression! In these classes, we discuss different narrative elements and forms as we approach writing with a creative instinct and critical eye. Genre experimentation, improvisational composition, and exemplary prose and poetry guide us on our literary journey. Recent topics include: character building, flash and speculative fiction, memory and loss, image-based writing, “choose your own adventure stories,” and “poetry is/poetry ain’t.” These classes are fun, engaging, and inspiring, and designed to help participants discover new vistas for self and creative expression.

I adapt my curriculum to the composition, experience, and general disposition of each class and offer classes for children, teens, and adults. The animating spirit and intention driving these efforts remains the same regardless of age group: to provide a safe, encouraging, and dynamic space for reflection, inspiration, and connection. Please keep reading for specific course and event descriptions and logistical information!

Please read below for course description and schedule. 

WE ALL WRITE: CREATIVE WRITING CLASSES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

BEGINNING FEBRUARY 2023!

The class’s emphasis is on building creative engagement, confidence, and collaboration. It is open to youth of all levels, abilities, and backgrounds!  I strive to adapt assignments to align with individual interests and capabilities, while gently stretching students to uncover new ideas and assets. Students will be encouraged to select topics and themes of interest, in conjunction with instructor-led prompts and group project. We do a fair amount of writing in class, but there is also some outside work expected. My approach is supportive, co-creative, nimble, and strengths-based.
Course themes and projects may include:
– Choose Your Own Adventure stories
– Wordless picture books
– Fairy tale retellings
– Cookbook/oral history project
– Media literacy + class newspaper
– Poetry
– Zine making
**Note: I typically wait until the class comes together to determine – with student input – what projects would work best for a given session.

The class series, called “We All Write,” will run for 12 weeks from February 10 – May 12, 2023 from 10:15-11:30 am on Fridays. There will be no class on 2/24 and 4/7. 

MEETING TIME
Fridays: 10:15 am – 11:30 am

COURSE FEE: $450

LOCATION
El Cerrito

AGE RANGE
9 and up

PLEASE NOTE:
I am an approved vendor with the following schools:
– Vista Oaks
– Valley View
– Visions

Please feel free to spread the word about my classes to community members to whom they might be of interest or relevance. I am not on social media and have a limited “marketing network,” so I really rely on word-of-mouth to promote the class and my individual coaching. Thank you – I appreciate the assistance and endorsement!

“A writer is a writer not because she writes well and easily, because she has amazing talent, because everything she does is golden. In my view, a writer is a writer because even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any signs of promise, you keep writing anyway.”
~ Junot Diaz

© Rachel Rosekind, PhD, MLIS