The National Writers Series not only hosts incredible book events in Traverse City, they also organize Northern Michigan kids writing workshops led by talented, professional writers. Find the clinics offered through the rest of the summer of 2014 below. All classes take place at the National Writers’ Front Street Writers Studio at 123 W. Front Street, Traverse City, unless otherwise noted.
Register for the following workshops at NationalWritersSeries.com.
Elementary Workshops — Grades 3–6
Script Writing for Kids: July 29–August 1, 12–2 pm
In celebration of the Traverse City Film Festival, the National Writers Series is offering a four-day children’s script writing workshop. Young writers can attend a single workshop or all four days. To accommodate parents attending afternoon films, the studio will open at 11:30 am and close at 2:30 pm.
$25/day or $80 for the entire session
Poetry Magic: August 4–8, 9–11 am
The best poems surprise us. Not just when we read them, but also when we write them. In this workshop, we’ll practice the “tricks” poets use to open their brains’ windows so that little poetic miracles can sneak out. If you’re curious about what kind of magic might be lurking in your everyday life this is the workshop for you!
Instructor: Catherine Turnbull, workshop fee: $100
Comic Creations: August 11 – 15, 9 – 11 am
Love drawing? Love writing crazy stories? Learn to combine the two in this comic workshop! You will read great comics, brainstorm your own ideas, use words to create story ideas and draw classic comic illustrations to bring them to life. You don’t have to be an artist for this workshop; you just need to have a great imagination!
Workshop fee: $100
Middle Grade Workshops — Grades 6–8
Even More Terrifying Tales: August 11–15, 1–3 pm
State Hospital grounds; Meet at Building 50 in the yard in front of Cuppa Joe each afternoon. Wear shoes for hiking and exploring!
The best scary stories are filled with eerie suspense and creepy details-and our own State Hospital can provide plenty of both. What does the witch see through her one good eye? Where do ghosts go in the morning? Just what is that thing hiding in trails behind the hospital? Trail hikes, a tour of the hospital and the tunnels, and lots of interactive writing exercises will help you write your most bone chilling tale yet!
Instructor: Kerrey Woughter, workshop fee: $100
Middle & High School Workshops: Grades 7–12
Rumors and Secrets: August 4–8, 1–3 pm
In this four-day, non-fiction writing workshop you will work with professional working writers and poets like Mardi Link, Elizabeth Buzzelli, and Robert Giles to approach writing in different ways. Each guest writer will share the tricks of the trade: conducting interviews, doing research, and mining memories. Together you will explore the rumors and secrets of your lives and communities. You will discover how words can be used to bring them to light and put them in perspective!
Instructors: Mardi Link, Elizabeth Buzzelli, Francine J. Harris, workshop fee: $100
Master Poetry Workshop: August 11–15, 1–3 pm
Experience poetry as you never have before. Explore contemporary poetry in a workshop setting with a published poet. Be prepared for multi-sensory associative writing prompts and to mine your own experiences to bring out the poetry that lives in you.
Workshop fee: $100