Bending Tree holds writing workshops every season.
In spring we honor the smallest stories.
Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email from bending.tree.education@gmail.com (financial assistance available, please inquire by directly emailing the address above)
May – July 2024
Teen Book Club Poetica Coffee, April 28, 4-5pm, 251 Smith St. Brooklyn, NY, Free Join Irene and Sebastian Sarti each month to discuss a new book of experimental fiction. These book clubs are for passionate and inquisitive readers who are interested in reading exciting books that expand the bounds of fiction. We hope this space can be an inspiring and critical group where students can feel encouraged to share their opinions and observations with their peers. In April we will be discussing Life Ceremony: Stories by Sayaka Murata, on May 19th we will be discussing Birds of America.
Pitching Workshop For freelance and writers who are looking to be freelance, every Sunday 6-7:30pm Drop in sessions will start and April 7 and continue through July 14. $20 suggested donation drop in fee to discuss your pitch, write it up, and find places for it! Email bending.tree.education@gmail.com to register.
Myths, Fairy Tales, and Folklore: Why Enchantment Matters Virtual Sunday, May 19 10am-11:30am; for students ages 12-14 registration $45 Many writers have looked to retell magical stories, from Oscar Wilde, to Amos Tutuola, George MacDonald, and Angela Carter. We will read lore from ancient, through contemporary genres, to consider how these stories use magic, personification, and exaggeration to tell truths. Students will be given writing assignments that will help them merge real situations and infuse them with wonder. These assignments are aimed toward the use of language and momentum. What is revealed and what is hidden within their work can lend to a sense of wonder or magic to the reader. A strong writer is aware of how they are depicting what is happening in a story. Philip Pullman calls this the placement of the camera. Students will come out of this with a series of prose writings and an understanding of how to create “magic” in their writing. Email bending.tree.education@gmail.com to register.
Graphing the story: Work in Formulas to Create Narrative Virtual, July 6-7 10am-11:30am All genres are welcome. For students ages 15-18 registration $45 The Soviet folklorist, Vladimir Propp is not very well known in the fairytale writing world. But he was very influential to many writers and folklorists for generations to come. He collected hundreds of traditional Russian stories, coded their characters, and action and created comprehensive formulas to describe stories. In this workshop, students will become familiar with the seven characters, and several of the events that occur throughout history in narrative. Through this practice students will begin the learn some formulas for story, and, in the end, make their own. Email bending.tree.education@gmail.com to register.
Summer Personal Essay College Prep a 6 week program tailored to the student’s schedule. For high school students The personal essay for college can be a daunting, but also an exciting exercise. These essays are an opportunity for students to tell their story from their perspective, to frame and hone their experience in a way that is meaningful to them and expresses their attributes in interesting ways. In this six session program, students will read personal essays, and get ahead on college applications by developing their own based on their experience. I will provide notes and constructive feedback as they edit their pieces. Sessions are one hour long, and will include at least three written notes sent via email between sessions as they edit. $400 for virtual $600 in-person. Email bending.tree.education@gmail.com to schedule a free consultation.
Storyteller’s Intensive: The Art of Storytelling For students ages 10-18 All storytellers begin in mimicry before they expand their practice and refine their unique voice. During this intensive we will read a book together and work with relevant prompts about subject, style, and tone to emanate the greats. Whether the student is looking to find or refine their voice, this is a fun, immersive course, tailored to the student’s interests. The student will leave with a solid base for a potential, story, or manuscript using the technique we develop together. $400 per in-person student for one to two meetings per month, or however long it takes to complete the book. Email bending.tree.education@gmail.com to book a free consultation.
Writing with Leaves Virtual; June 29-30 for students ages 10-13; 10am-11:30am $45 registration World building. We see this term in science fiction and fantasy. This workshop is for students who are ready to begin formulating their own stories. We will be considering several excerpts from Philip Pullman, Nalo Hopkinson, and Brian Selznick. Through a discussion around how the writers use environment and land, we will consider the leaf. Leaves have adapted to their environments over generations of a tree or a plant. The tweens in this workshop will formulate their stories beginning with the leaves of their imaginary world. Through the line of inquiry about leaf adaptation in their world, they will look at the leaves in our own world. And in their formulation of their worlds, they will practice writing clear and concise sentences to elucidate the environment that makes up the world of their imagination. Email bending.tree.education@gmail.com to register.
Bending Tree Education 