COLUMBIA STREET WATERFRONT DISTRICT — A creative writing workshop is calling on Brooklyn’s young poets, playwrights and writers to learn more about their craft at a local bookshop.
Writopia Lab, a nonprofit that organizes writing workshops for kids and teens, is hosting one such after-school program at Freebird Books, found at 123 Columbia St, for eight to 18 year olds of any experience level.
Writopia’s mission is to “foster joy, literacy and critical thinking in children and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing,” said Abby Coleman, a Brooklyn coordinator for Writopia Lab.
“It’s just allowing them to have a safe space where they can comfortably express themselves,” she said.
Writers, divided into age groups, can “build their own world” while working in any form, from poetry, fiction and non-fiction to screenplays and memoirs, said Coleman.
The stories are written on Google Docs so instructors, who are published authors or produced playwrights, can observe, guide and comment on their work.
And at the end of each class, students can read their work out loud, if they wish to do so, said Coleman.
Storytelling techniques are taught through each student’s work so classes are individualized, said Coleman, adding that it eliminates the need for a rigid curriculum.
While teaching them about writing, editing and revision, students also learn how to communicate with their peers through analysis of each other’s work, said Coleman.
The ultimate goal is for every student to have at least one polished, perfected piece of writing.
Courses in Brooklyn are available through the fall, spring and summer and the program is priced on a sliding scale with three tiers of payment at $560, $390 and $290. An “economic hardship” tier at $180 is suggested for low-income families.
For more information, visit this website.
