Youths had a blast at this month’s Write Club at the Wordcrafters Studio.
Instructor Jeany Van Meltebeke Snider encouraged kids to tap into their inner creative energy by drawing on inspiration from their peers and the world around them to come up with short scenes intended for a theatre performance.
“It was a delight to get to know these five unique young people. They all have great imaginations and rapport with one another,” Snider said.
She said while it was difficult for many of the kids to “get started,” she provided them with some short exercises that helped them come out of their shells. First, each youth opened by creating character foils. Next, they were given a starting sentence by another person in the class. Then, Jeany encouraged everyone to look around the room for new sources of inspiration, after which, they discussed their thoughts and ideas.
After that, it was time to break out the art supplies!
Everyone drew some pictures and described what stories came to their mind to inspire their artwork. This proved to be the most successful and entertaining part of the workshop. Kids would start with one line based on a drawing, and then take it and run with it as they tried to put scenes together for a play.
Overall, everyone had a great time coming up with imaginary scenes and learning to write for plays and skits.
Upcoming classes you might enjoy
Nap-a-thon: a fundraiser for people who are tired. Which, statistically, is everyone.
Nap Ambassador sign ups close Sept 30.
Napping and fundraising happens Oct 1-31.
Come share a meal with other writers and talk shop—craft, process, money, motivation, publishing, rejection, weird writing habits, and whatever’s currently living rent-free in your brain.
Friday, Sept 18 | Noon–1:30 pm
Ages 18+
Get your novel out of your head and onto the page in this 6-month novel-writing cohort with Daryll Lynne Evans.
Begins October 5 | Ages 18+
A 4-week writing accountability and co-working group to help you make real, steady progress on your writing.
Wednesdays 3-4:30 pm | In person or online | Next cohort starts Oct 7, facilitated by Daryll Lynne Evans | Age 16+
Share your words in sweet community at our monthly open mic emceed by spoken word poet Jorah LaFleur.
Second Thursdays, September through June | Age 14+
Join us for an atmospheric, fun-filled writing retreat where you’ll write and revise a short story—ghostly, strange, quiet, or otherwise—in the company of other writers.us for a spooky, fun-filled writing retreat where you’ll write and revise a short ghost story in the company of other writers.
October 15 -18, 2026
Learn more! Into the Veil: A Writers Weekend at the Oregon Coast