Description

The Kids Short Story Connection is a series of 6 two-hour workshops for children between 9 and 15 who love to write. Our mission is to cultivate and empower the next generation of writers and enhance creative writing skills in children who love to write and will use their talents in college or related career choices. Partial scholarships are offered to young writers whose family can’t afford the full cost of workshops. The series of workshops will include three separate age groups: One beginners class, for ages 9 thru 11 years old, and two intermediate classes, for ages 12 thru 15 years. Workshops meet in a round-table format, with a writer-teacher who first cultivates a sense of community and then introduces the basics of good writing and the format for peer-critique. Young writers are given writing prompts in class but are encouraged to go “off prompt” if they have some inner idea percolating. They are also encouraged to bring and share work created at home. New work is read aloud by participants, and fellow students and teachers offer encouragement, appreciation and helpful criticism. Students edit their work and bring it back to class. Students are encouraged to write what appeals to them.

All three workshop leaders were hand-picked by the KSSC director based on their credentials, as well as their experience with and ability to interact with children. Project Director regularly visits each workshop to make certain that children are appropriately placed, interacting positively with other children, and working well with the teacher. Workshop leaders also nurture and buoy youngsters who often lack self-confidence or fear public speaking. Teachers are guided by project administrator who visits classes and makes suggestions for activities. A final public presentation for an audience of families, friends, literary fans and potential participants will take place immediately after the last class of the fall session. Participants will read to the audience from original work created during the workshops.