Monday, May 4, 2015

NEW Creative Writing Workshops for Teens

"It is about the power of shaping your destiny no matter your age."
-Sharon Y Cobb
by Lynn Conradt-Eberlin

Teenage writers know there is no age requirement for good writing. Scripts and novels require imagination and the ability to communicate a good story. All they need is a chance to immerse themselves in the world of written creation, to understand the expected in preparation of unleashing your unexpected storytelling on the world. Prepare for the adventure of writing submersion, June 15-19, 2015 through the University of North Florida’s Division of Continuing Education!


During a full week of sessions dedicated to writers ages 13-17, you can pick up one workshop or choose to attend the entire week. 

The instructors are a successful scriptwriter and a published author. You will gain not just abstract theory, but what works for these creative professionals in the real world. You should know these are not “adult class light” workshops. Teenage writers are intelligent and driven. We believe you deserve the same intensive delivery of knowledge anyone else receives from UNF Continuing Ed. This is not just sitting in a room listening--but doing--with exercises and writing time that allows you to put your new knowledge to immediate use. You will have a week of living the writer’s life.

Monday June 15 CRASH COURSE IN SCREENWRITING

In an action-packed day, you will get an introduction to the three-act structure, details about creating movie characters and facts of film story and plot construction. 

You will learn how to write a logline, synopsis and beat sheet. Get ready to launch into the world of Hollywood and Indie movies with this introductory workshop taught by a professional screenwriter who has sold pitches and scripts to studios and who has had films produced. 

Tuesday, June 16 WRITING FUNNY
Creating comedic moments may come naturally to some writers, but it is a skill you can learn as well. You will get the basics of creating funny characters and constructing a comic storyline. 

You will be creating comedy from character opposites. Learn the comedy rule of three, slapstick vs. satire, dark comedy, humorous story construction and more. Writing exercises will be used to demonstrate techniques. Join us to learn how to write funny. It will be a hoot! 

Wednesday, June 17 ATTRACTING ABUNDANCE
Focus on what you want in your life. Get rid of worries that are counterproductive and sabotaging your power to attract the positive. Learn a life imagery technique similar to visualization exercises Olympic athletes use before entering competitions. 

Learn to use the law of attraction to manifest what you would like to attract into your world. Start a gratitude journal. Participate in a short meditation that may change your life when often practiced. Get affirmations and find resources to enhance your ability to create abundance on a daily basis. 

Thursday, June 18 THE WRITER'S JOURNEY – USING THE HERO'S JOURNEY IN STORYTELLING
How did "Star Wars" became such a worldwide sensation? Writer/Filmmaker George Lucas readily admits that he used the concept of “The Hero’s Journey” to structure his iconic story. Based on the highly acclaimed works of mythologist Joseph Campbell, "The Hero’s Journey" breaks down character types and plot points to their most human elements. 

This interactive workshop helps aspiring writers discover how to utilize mythic structure to formulate masterful stories populated by universally recognizable character archetypes. We will discuss examples from admired fiction such as "Harry Potter," "Lord of the Rings," "The Hobbit," "The Wizard of Oz" and "The Hunger Games." 

Friday, June 19 CREATIVE WRITING LAB FOR ASPIRING AUTHORS
Teenage writers who want to become professional writers will get a jump-start on pursuing one of the most rewarding creative endeavors imaginable. Learn how to unlock the potential within you to tell unforgettable stories about characters so real they come to life on the page. 

Using in-class exercises, participants discover how to fine-tune the elements vital to the craft of writing. You will have the opportunity to write and get feedback on your work. Bonus, you may come away with a story that you can continue writing once the workshop is over. 

Instructors Sharon Y Cobb and John Boles will be leading the week.


Sharon Y. Cobb is an active member of Writers Guild of America. She has sold a dozen projects to Hollywood including Return of the Sweet Birds to Fox 2000 (Danny Glover and Babyface Edmonds). Her British film Lighthouse Hill was released on DVD after premiering at film festivals and being broadcast by SkyTV worldwide. Sharon’s action movie “On Hostile Ground” was broadcast on TBS and worldwide.

John Boles is a professional writer, book editor, script doctor, and writing coach whose work received more than a dozen awards. As an educator, John has taught writing and film courses. He has led both creative writing and screenwriting critique workshops for over a decade. John has mentored hundreds of authors, a number of them award-winners in their own right, and he is a popular workshop presenter at writers' conferences and film festivals.


Are you ready to register? You can sign up online or call our friendly Customer Care Team at (904) 620-4200, M-F, 8-5. If you plan to attend one or two workshops, the price is $89.00 per class. Or, register for three or more days, the cost is $79.00 per workshop. All workshops will take place at the Adam W. Herbert University Center on the UNF campus. Each class meets from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a one-hour, bring-your-own lunch break each day. Food is also available for purchase.

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