Young Adult Writers Program (YAWP): Make Believe: Using Imaginary Creatures In Your Writing

This class will be hosted remotely! You will be able to participate in class via Zoom videoconference from wherever you’re most comfortable. All you’ll need is a laptop or a phone! About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting via Zoom–no need to download anything or sign up for Zoom in advance! If you have questions about remote learning, please feel free to reach out to [email protected] for more information.

Class Description: To quote Octavia E. Butler “Don’t worry about imagination. You have all the imagination you need… Play with your ideas. Have fun with them. Don’t worry about being silly or outrageous or wrong… It’s first letting your interests and your imagination take you anywhere at all. Once you’re able to do that, you’ll have more ideas than you can use.” The emphasis of this session is on brainstorming - and then refining - your own unique interests and ideas, and on accessing the Narnia already in your imagination. We will discuss what makes a compelling and memorable imaginary creature and read short excerpts from a diverse body of fantasy writers, both contemporary (like N.K. Jemisin, Holly Black, Rebecca Roanhorse & George R.R. Martin) and from the past (like Homer, Mary Shelley, J.R.R. Tolkien). We will explore our creature’s intricacies and possibilities by free writing with multiple writing prompts, and at the end share some of our work with our fellow classmates, if we wish.

Takeaways: By the end of the session, students will walk away with at least one unique, fleshed-out fantastical character ready to enter your creative work. You will leave inspired and ready to take off on your writing broomstick.  

Who Should Register?
For writers ages 13 - 18 ONLY. Writing notebooks are available, but feel free to bring your own.

Remember, parents/guardians must also complete this permission form online before the start of the class. Otherwise, registrations could be voided and the cancellation policy will apply. If the student is 18, simply let us know at [email protected]

*If you are registering on behalf of your teen, add their email information in the “For a Friend or Child?” field on the right-hand side of the screen before you check out. This will send them a direct link and reminder to create their own profile with GrubStreet. 

(After adding the class to your cart, click “Checkout” and click “Add” next to “For a Friend or Child?” on the right-hand side to fill in their email. This is an easy way of linking the class to your child and encourages them to create their own account.)