Mrs. Kristin breaks down the narrative essay process into small, manageable bites so that even the busiest senior can take their college application essay from zero to complete in six short weeks. Her process includes:

• helping students identify the personal story that best reflects their goals, skills, resilience, or character.

• developing the student's authentic writerly voice (as opposed to an academic voice).

• setting tangible and achievable goals for each week.

• a weekly review of student work that includes written, and often verbal, feedback.

• a focus on confidence and honesty.

Mrs. Kristin can't guarantee admission to any particular school, but she can help your senior craft an essay that makes them glow with pride.

6 sessions, 90 minutes

Wednesdays, 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Dates: September 9, 16, 23, 30; October 7, 14

Writing a novel (or other long-term project) can be a hard, lonely business. Good news: it doesn’t have to be!

Novel Support Group is for any 7th-12th grade writer who’s ready to pour their story onto the page (or screen) alongside a support group of other writers doing the same thing. Instruction will be limited; after a group check-in and warm-up activity, students will spend most of class time working on their manuscripts. As they work, they can bounce ideas off one another and ask Mrs. Kristin questions about character, plot, pacing, and world building. When they feel ready, students are welcome to invite the group to critique and/or workshop their work. Novelists/anthologists/screenwriters at all stages of writing (beginning, middle, or end) are welcome.

This is an ongoing class. SIGNUP PROCEDURE: Sessions can be purchased individually or in groups of five or 11 (buy ten, get one free!). Students are welcome to come and go as they please; they can sign up for one session to see if they like it, drop out for a bit when life gets busy, then come back when they’re ready to dive into their work again. Mrs. Kristin will keep track of their sessions with a punch card.

Mondays, 7:00–8:30 p.m. Please check the calendar to confirm that we’re meeting.

Don’t know what to write? No problem. Release the pressure valve with The Wordshop’s Night Writes. Half writing-prompt-a-palooza, half social hour, attendees will spend part of the evening tackling tricky writing prompts and the rest sharing their work (if they choose) and catching up with friends. Sign up for individual nights or select the Season Pass option to purchase all eight sessions (and get one free). Drop-ins are welcome, so feel free to bring a friend and have them pay at the door!

Thursday Night Write is for kids in grades 6-8.

8 sessions, 90 minutes

Thursdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Dates: September 3, September 17, October 1, October 15, October 29, November 5, November 19, and FRIDAY, December 4**

** The Friday, December 4 date is our annual Middle School vs. High School Smackdown. All writers in 6th-12th grade are welcome to join us for an evening of snacks, trash talk, and literary games.

Don’t know what to write? No problem. Release the pressure valve with The Wordshop’s Night Writes. Half writing-prompt-a-palooza, half social hour, attendees will spend part of the evening tackling tricky writing prompts and the rest sharing their work (if they choose) and catching up with friends. Sign up for individual nights or select the Season Pass option to purchase all eight sessions (and get one free). Drop-ins are welcome, so feel free to bring a friend and have them pay at the door!

Friday Night Write is for high school students.

8 sessions, 90 minutes

Fridays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Dates: September 4, September 18, October 2, October 9, October 30, November 6, November 20, December 4**

** The Friday, December 4 date is our annual Middle School vs. High School Smackdown. All writers in 6th-12th grade are welcome to join us for an evening of snacks, trash talk, and literary games.

Everyone's writing can use a little divine inspiration. This fall, we're turning to tarot, oracle, and astrology cards to help us define our characters and deepen their narrative arcs.

We're not telling fortunes or trying to change futures; that's truly the stuff of fiction. Tarot cards are actually a great tool for journaling and self-reflection. (That's how Mrs. Kristin uses hers.) During this class, we'll use the tarot to ask questions of our characters and plot out their paths forward. Students will have access to The Good Karma Tarot, Tarot for Kids, Tarot of the Divine (fairy tales, folk tales, and myths from around the world!), and Cirque du Tarot.

Oracle cards can also be used for journaling. (When she remembers,) Mrs. Kristin likes to pick a card to be her inspiration for the day or just a writing session. Students will have access to The Literary Witches Oracle, the Art Oracles, the Affirmators! Cards Deck, and Legendary Ladies Goddess Deck.

We'll also be looking to the stars for inspiration. We'll dive into star signs, what they mean, and reverse-engineer our characters' birth dates based on their personalities.

And if that isn’t enough, we’ll also be making our own notebooks to jot down reflections, stories, and anything else that catches our fancy. (Class fee includes $15 for a small book binding kit.)

Open to 7th-12th graders.

4 sessions, 90 minutes

Wednesdays, 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Dates: October 21, October 28, November 4, November 11

Give them the gift that will benefit them their whole life long. Gift cards to the Wordshop are easy to wrap, easy to give, and fit every budget. (They WILL write you a thank-you card; Mrs. Kristin will even provide the stamp.)