WORKSHOPS
Writers at Harriman students write poetry, essays, plays, screenplays, and short stories. You work in small groups and one-on-one with professional writers, each experienced as novelists, poets, screenwriters, or fiction writers. Working within a framework provided by the writers, our curriculum accommodates your skills and interests, beginning where you are and challenging you to experiment in new writing forms and to tout your strengths.
The teaching writers focus upon reading, writing, and thinking, and even more writing. From first-hand experiences, they address the empty page, anxiety, research, using electronic resources, plagiarism, and methods for overcoming common pitfalls.
One of the most important parts of the camp is learning constructive feedback—receiving it, offering it, and then applying it. Coming from peers or an instructor, a student may need to work on showing versus telling, scope, character development, and plot progression. You will have extended periods in which to read and write, reflect, and rewrite with professional guidance close at hand. Students frequently remark upon the luxury of having this time without the limitations of home and school. Or bells or grades. You are encouraged to view much of your writing as work in progress, leaving it open to greater possibility. By week’s end, each student is expected to produce at least one piece ready for publication.
The teaching writers focus upon reading, writing, and thinking, and even more writing. From first-hand experiences, they address the empty page, anxiety, research, using electronic resources, plagiarism, and methods for overcoming common pitfalls.
One of the most important parts of the camp is learning constructive feedback—receiving it, offering it, and then applying it. Coming from peers or an instructor, a student may need to work on showing versus telling, scope, character development, and plot progression. You will have extended periods in which to read and write, reflect, and rewrite with professional guidance close at hand. Students frequently remark upon the luxury of having this time without the limitations of home and school. Or bells or grades. You are encouraged to view much of your writing as work in progress, leaving it open to greater possibility. By week’s end, each student is expected to produce at least one piece ready for publication.
