Fiction Writing

Playwriting

Poetry Writing

Writing Intensive

 

Creative Writing Workshops

Discover and express your unique voice as a writer. You'll practice all aspects of writing as a craft and a path to self-expression, observation, clear thinking, and reflection.

Creative writing at Putney includes the full-day Writing Intensive or the option to choose a half-day workshop in Fiction, Playwriting, or Poetry. Students who enroll in half-day workshops can then combine creative writing with half-day workshops in visual arts, performing arts, or the Farm Program.

By design and intent, the writing workshops at Putney are enrichment, not remedial, in nature.

Fiction Writing

Fiction students explore plot, character, voice, style, and point of view. Students collaborate to write a short story as well as work on independent projects. Work is inspired by writing exercises and prompts and then revised based on individual conversation with the instructors. Students share their writing in class, at our weekly open readings, and in a class anthology published at the end of each session.

 

Playwriting

The words and ideas of successful playwrights come to life when brought to the stage. Students are challenged to develop their understanding of this process and how best to communicate their intentions. In our campus-wide 24-hour play festival, Playwriting students see their work performed by Theater students. This process entails considerable attention to re-writes as work progresses to the stage. Regular critique and feedback by faculty and peers offer students the opportunity to hone their craft.

Poetry Writing

Using unique exercises and prompts, Poetry students create work that is specific in terms of language and precise in terms of the pursuit of ideas and themes. Writing is refined through class feedback and one-on-one work with faculty, with time set aside for revision of written work. Students read from a wide array of poets. Writing is shared in class, at our weekly community readings, and is published in a class anthology.

Writing Intensive

This full-day intensive is designed for students who are serious about creative writing and who are eager to refine their literary voice. College-like round table seminars, free writing time, one-on-one instruction, and group editing serve to foster experimentation and exploration.

Under the dedicated guidance and instruction of experienced faculty, students gather new material from their participation in class exercises and prompts that tap the senses, memory, and imagination. Types of writing addressed include fiction, memoir, journal, nature, creative nonfiction, and poetry.

Excursions into the local community and to a variety of on-campus locations, both indoors and out, complement the work in the classroom. From time to time, guest writers present their work during class visits and open readings. Students have the opportunity to read selections of their new work each week in campus-wide open readings. A compilation of student work is published at the end of the session.