Young writers rarely have the opportunity to become part of a community of like-minded people, being inspired by others who share their dreams. Teenagers who think they might like to write creatively rarely have the chance to learn how to do so outside of an English classroom. Our Creative Writing program is designed to meet both sets of needs. Working in the Writing Room and outside under the Centauri Poet-Tree, campers discover the joy of writing, both through structured exercises and individual writing projects. Join us this summer, and unlock the writer in YOU!
At Centauri, writing campers choose one specialty writing program per session. To see a chart listing all the programs and their sessions click here.
Get your work OUT there!
Session 1, ages 13-18. Instructor: Helen Tran
This program focuses on two aspects of the writing process: creating
excellent pieces and finding new ways to share the pieces you write.
Explore various kinds of writing as you respond to inspiring prompts
from the instructor. We'll look at ways to generate terrific ideas,
the skills you need to turn those ideas into great writing, how to
critique your own work and the work of others, and the all-important
process of editing and polishing. Along the way, there will be
opportunities to explore poetry, fiction and creative non fiction,
and to focus on the genres you enjoy the most. As the session
progresses, we’ll discuss ways of getting our writing out into the
world through publication, readings, competitions, the internet and
more. If you love to write and dream of being published one day,
then
join us under the Poet-Tree and hone your creative writing
skills, moving one step closer to making those dreams come true!
Writing & Acting for Film
Session 1, ages 11-15.
Instructor: Luke Mochrie
What makes a great movie? Is it the screenplay? The acting? The
cinematography? In this program, campers create their own short
film, pitching ideas, writing the script, developing characters,
learning all about film production, building their on-camera acting
skills then starring in their own short movie, which will be
premiered on the final day. While emphasis is placed on writing and
acting, campers will have a chance to learn about all parts of the
film making process, and to assist with production if they wish.
Discover the magic of making movies, watch your ideas come to life
on set and produce a short film to share with your friends. No
experience is necessary for this
program but campers should have an
interest in writing and/or acting, and the patience to stay focused
on set!
Poetry: Throwing Rules to the Wind!
Session 2, ages 13-18. Instructor: Carolyn Marie Souaid
Who knew that words could be this much fun! Writing poetry is the
best way to explore the exciting potential of our language, so this
program is intended not only for budding poets, but for anyone who
loves to write. We'll begin our journey as writers by exploring
poetic forms from all over the world - the sonnet, glosa, haiku,
haibun and more. We'll look at examples, write our own, and see what
happens to our writing when we twist, tweak or flat out break the
rules. But this is only the start of our creative journey! Next,
we'll look at what happens when you throw out those traditional
forms altogether. Forget rhyme and rhythm – this is poetry with no
holds barred! We'll try our hand at free verse, and then experiment
with bizarre poetic constraints - palindromes, acrostics and
lipograms, for example. We'll write 'found poetry', prose poems and
more. Join us this summer and explore the endless potential of
language. Become part of a community of writers and grow your
writing skills as you take your words in directions you may never
have imagined.
Two Truths and a Lie
Session 3, ages 11-15 . Instructor: Thea Fitz-James
Join
us for this exciting – and new – writing program, and write along the
blurry lines between fiction and fact! We’ll work on our creative
writing, storytelling and journalism skills as we tackle all forms of
fiction and creative non fiction. Play games with words, try writing
with a partner and be inspired by a wealth of writing prompts! Learn
interviewing techniques, write poetry, experiment with comedy drawn from
truths, create fictions from your memories, develop characters – real
and otherwise - then learn how to bring to life the words you have
written. We’ll ask ourselves if life truly is stranger than fiction, and
whether some stories are too good to be true! Are there truths in a
poem? Lies in a memory? We’ll try our hand at all kinds of writing –
from
the factual to the fantastical - then present our work on the final day.
Will the audience guess which piece of writing is true, and which is
not? Join us for this unique writing adventure, and find out!
Writing to Change the World
Session 4, ages 13-18. Instructor – Chris Urquart
Writing is a serious activity, but that doesn't mean you can't have
a blast doing it! We’ll explore a variety of creative genres,
discovering fresh ways to make our words leap off the page, and
we’ll also ask ourselves: can a piece of writing transform the
reader? We’ll challenge each other with the ideas that drive and
inspire us, looking for new ways to use writing to reflect our views
on the world. From protest songs to performance poetry, docudrama to
short fiction, we’ll write to enlighten, inflame and instruct. If
you have an interest in both writing and social issues then join us
for this exciting program and create new works in
ways you've never
imagined, alone and collaboratively. Both beginning and experienced
writers are welcome.