creative writing classes northern virginia

• Data science
• Programming
• Customer experience
• Inspire Summer
• Executive Education

Creative Writing

← Inspire: Summer 2024

About the program

This weeklong, virtual course does two things:

1) It creates the space and time to explore a topic, idea, theme, or subject of exploration, of your choice. This could be a work of art, an experience, a big question, or something else entirely. What matters is that this topic matters to you.

2) In writing about your topic through accumulative, scaffolded in-class writing sessions and workshops—as well as through outside individualized consultations with the instructor—you will learn how to interest a reader in your topic, and walk away with a set of transportable skills and strategies about how to make writing work for you.

Outline of Concepts

• What is “good” writing? The stories we tell and how we tell them
• What is a writers’ workshop and what is it not?
• What are the elements of craft and style?
• How do we revise our writing and embrace the process?

By thinking about writing as a form of experimentation—with its own hypotheses, processes, and communities—you will be able to explore your ideas, find your words, and as a result, your writing process. You’ll leave the class with a polished, dynamic piece of writing and an excitement about the whole process!

This course will meet each day from 10:00AM -12:00PM EST (Monday-Friday) and require an internet connection and access to Zoom. The instructor will have 1:1 sessions with each student to offer personal feedback.

Meet the Instructor

Get to know Instructor Leanne Tankel here.

Skills you will learn

• Understand the writing process - and how to tailor it to your own writing
• Learn about genres of creative nonfiction writing
• Learn how to give and receive thoughtful feedback
• Learn about audience and rhetorical intention
• Set and achieve writing-specific goals

Please note: All information is subject to change at the discretion of UVA Northern Virginia.

“for writers by writers”

About the club.

Established in November 2007, the Northern Virginia Writers Club is a chapter of the Virginia Writers Club serving aspiring and published authors alike in the northern Virginia region. Currently, meetings are hybrid or entirely virtual, usually on the third or fourth Saturday of every month.

The club offers workshops, panel discussions, and expert speakers designed to assist members in the art and craft of writing, as well as to support members with the business side of writing. Club meetings and a members-only Facebook Group offer members the opportunity to exchange ideas and establish contact with other writers having similar interests. We also have a critique group and beta readers.

Important Upcoming Dates: May 11: Deidre Lovegren on Comedy June 15: Scott Ellis on Audiobooks July 20: Picnic!

Interested in joining? Click here .

News & Activities

March 2024 minutes.

Apr 4, 2024

Members, please review the March minutes for approval during the April meeting.   Northern...

February 2024 Minutes

Feb 28, 2024

Members, please review the February minutes for approval during the March meeting.   Northern...

Bylaw Update

Feb 5, 2024

Members, please review the updated bylaws. We will be voting to approve these at the February...

January Minutes

Members, please review the January minutes for approval during the February meeting. Northern...

February Meeting – Book Design

Feb 4, 2024

Book design encompasses the visual aspects of a book such as font, layout, and paper choice....

Annual Meeting 2024

Jan 16, 2024

January 20th is our annual meeting. We will elect new officers, recruit volunteers, and talk about...

November 16th -Jason E. Maddux – Publication of We’re Here to Help…Ourselves

Nov 16, 2023

VP Jason E. Maddux will be publishing his anthology of short stories, LIVE in our next meeting. If...

October Minutes

Nov 5, 2023

Members, please review the October minutes for approval during the November meeting.  ...

September Minutes

Oct 7, 2023

Members, please review the September minutes for approval during the October meeting.  ...

September 16-A Little Weird Can Go a Long Way: Generating New Stories

Sep 5, 2023

Writing compelling speculative fiction doesn’t always require the creation of a whole new world—a...

August Minutes

Members, please review the August minutes for approval during the September meeting.  ...

Symposium and Journal

Aug 7, 2023

The Northern Virginia Writers Club had a good showing at the Virginia Writers Club Symposium this...

August 26th: PRO PROSE: TIPS FOR TIGHTENING YOURS

On August 26th, Art Taylor will speak to us about PRO PROSE: TIPS FOR TIGHTENING YOURS.With an eye...

June Minutes

Jul 8, 2023

Members, please review the June minutes for approval during the August meeting. Northern Virginia...

May Minutes

Jun 6, 2023

Members, please review the May minutes for approval in June. Northern Virginia Writers Club May...

May 20th: Catch Fire: Getting Noticed

May 7, 2023

On May 20th, Ralph Peluso will speak with us about Tips and Techniques for a Successful Interview....

April Minutes

Members, please review the following for approval at the May 20th meeting. Northern Virginia...

April 15th: Self-Publishing Scams, Pitfalls, and Biggest Boo-Boos

Apr 3, 2023

Polly Letofsky will talk on scene building, from 1-3pm, virtually on Zoom. This meeting will be...

March Minutes

Apr 2, 2023

Members, please review the March minutes for Approval at the April meeting. Northern Virginia...

February Minutes

Mar 9, 2023

Members, please review the following for approval at the March 18th meeting.   Northern...

Golden Nib Winners!

Nov 8, 2022

Click to enlarge.  

May 2024 Minutes

May 24, 2024

Members, please review the May minutes for approval during the June meeting.   Northern...

April 2024 Minutes

Apr 25, 2024

Members, please review the April minutes for approval during the May meeting.   Northern...

Join Our Mailing List

• Testimonials
• Writer’s Diagnostic
• Time Management Questionnaire
• Resources by State
• Beta Reading, Critique & Workshops
• Publication Assistance
• Editing & Proofreading
• Ghostwriting
• Request Services

Virginia Resources for Writers

Here you’ll find a collection of resources for writers in Virginia, from conferences to local critique groups to literary magazines. If you’re looking for writing groups near you, writing workshops near you, creative writing classes near you, or simply a place to hang out with writers or submit your work, these are some Virginia writing organizations you might want to check out:

WriteByNight

For more than a decade, WriteByNight has helped writers in Virginia and beyond achieve their literary goals. And we want you to be next! Claim your free consultation  to learn about WBN’s customizable  one-on-one writers’ services , including:

Book Coaching :  If you’re writing a book and want some help along the way.

Manuscript Critique : If you’ve written a book and want a beta read, critique, or writing workshop.

Editing/Proofreading : If you’ve written a book and want someone to polish it for you.

Publication Assistance : If you’ve written a book and want help finding an agent or publisher.

The Annual Literary Festival

Readings, panels, writing workshops and community involvement. Now in its 36th year.

Association of Writers and Writing Programs

Provides support, advocacy, resources and community to nearly 50,000 writers, 500 college and university creative writing programs, and 125 writers’ conferences and centers. Its annual conference draws nearly 10,000 writers from all over the world.

Blue Ridge Writers

Offers monthly virtual and in-person panels and critique groups, and publishes a quarterly journal.

Committed to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of African American poets. Offers readings, writing workshops, writing retreats and fellowships.

Fall for the Book

An annual week-long, multiple-venue, regional festival held by George Mason University. Offers book prizes, readings, panel discussions and more.

Furious Flower Poetry Center

Hosts visiting poets, sponsors poetry writing workshops for emerging poets, holds an annual poetry camp for children in the community, and produces scholarly texts, videos and DVDs on African American poetry.

James River Writers

Offers a writers conference, writing workshops, master classes, and more.

A semiannual literary journal produced at the University of Virginia. Offers poetry, fiction and nonfiction, and holds annual writing contests.

The Muse Writers Center

Based in Norfolk, it offers writing workshops, readings and many other literary events.

Northern Virginia Writers Club

A chapter of the Virginia Writers Club (see below) covering Arlington, Fairfax, and other counties; workshops, panel discussions, readings, networking and more.

Poetry Society of Virginia

A nonprofit membership organization that promotes poetry through monthly open mics, writing workshops, writing contests and readings.

After 60-plus years in print, this prominent literary magazine is now online-only. Accepts fiction, poetry and nonfiction.

Tinker Mountain Writers’ Workshop

Writing workshops in fiction, creative nonfiction, screenwriting and poetry, led by accomplished faculty. Class sizes of no more than 12 students, as well as readings, manuscript reviews and craft seminars.

Virginia Quarterly Review

A top-tier literary magazine that offers new fiction, poetry, essays, reviews and much more.

Virginia Festival of the Book

The largest gathering of authors, writers and readers in the state. Offers readings and signings, panels and writing workshops.

Virginia Writers Club

A statewide organization with the purpose of supporting and stimulating the art, craft and business of writing. Has several local chapters, each with its own series of events.

Writer House

An affordable, secure workspace and meeting space, offering high quality writing instruction (writing workshops and seminars) and literary events for the public.

Help us add to this list, Virginians! Do you know of writing groups near you, writing workshops near you, creative writing classes near you, or a Virginia literary journal we should be aware of? Let us know here

If WBN can fix my *!&%, they can fix yours too. Mooner Johnson Santa Fe, New Mexico

Client Credits

WBN has helped writers publish with:

Simon & Schuster Little, Brown & Co. St. Martin’s Press Amazon Slate Threepenny Review Huffington Post

WriteByNight, LLC 235 West End Avenue, 6H New York, New York 10023

646.374.8174 [email protected]

Search form

• Login/Register
• Upcoming Workshops
• Where to Start
• The Book Project
• Poetry Collective
• Writing in Color
• Queer Creatives
• Community Partnerships

Young Authors Collective

• YWP Anthology
• Young Writers Summer Camp
• Community Programs
• Upcoming Events
• Writing Communities
• Fellowships
• Visiting Authors
• Readings and Parties
• Member Events
• ILLUMINATION 2024
• Cheat Sheet
• 2-Day Intensives
• Virtual Lit Fest
• Agents/Editors
• 2024 Lit Fest Fellows
• Sponsorship Opportunities
• Gift Certificates
• Monthly Giving
• Planned Giving
• Lighthouse Supporters
• Become a Member
• Our New Home
• The Lookout
• In The News
• Mission and Values
• Board of Directors
• Reports and Publications
• Location/Contact
• Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Access (EDIA)

Young Writers

Lighthouse's Young Writers Workshops are designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing. There are no grades here, just the stories. We offer workshops at Lighthouse including afterschool and weekend workshops, the Young Authors Collective, and summer camps, as well as youth outreach in schools, at juvenile residential treatment centers, and in collaboration with other arts organizations.

For the latest on workshops and events,  sign up for our Young Writers Program e-newsletter . 

Lighthouse connects kids and teens to words, new friends, and a writing community. We offer workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, screenwriting, and many other genres and topics. Our classes are taught by published authors and are designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing.

Summer Writing Camps

Lighthouse's Young Writers Camps are led by published and award-winning writers, and each workshop is designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing in young writers aged 8 to 18. Registration for half-day camp and applications for full-day camp will open on January 1, 2019.

School Outreach

The Young Writers Program offers creative writing workshops in public and private schools as well as juvenile residential treatment centers throughout the Denver metro area. Led by working, published writers with a passion for sharing their craft, our outreach workshops provide access to our innovative creative writing programming for young people who cannot come to Lighthouse.

The Young Authors Collective, or YAC, is a group of talented, word-obsessed high school writers dedicated to experimenting with new creative forms, collaborating with other arts organizations, and writing a ton. We meet once a week at Lighthouse to generate new pieces, give friendly feedback, and work towards publication.

Support Young Writers

Our Future Scribes Depend on Your Support. Nearly all of the workshops and projects that will engage 2,300 students this year are free to attend, and for the sessions that do have tuition, such as summer writing camp, financial aid is available for any student who needs it. We want all young people who want to write to be able to do so and for them to be nurtured by the best instructors and mentors available. This only happens with the support of generous donors like you.

• Creative Writing

The  Creative Writing  major prepares you to be a writer of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, drama, or to go into editing or publishing. At Virginia Tech, you will create your own literary events, publish your writing in on-campus journals and professional magazines, and interact with famous writers. In addition to your creative writing classes you will complete courses in literature, digital media, and critical frameworks. Under the guidance of published writers, you’ll develop a portfolio showcasing your range and versatility as a writer.

Career Options

• Creative manager
• Literary agent
• Grant writer
• Video game developer
• Editor and copywriter
• Web designer
• Television writer
• Journalist and reporter

Matthew Vollmer

540-231-8322

[email protected]

403 Shanks Hall 180 Turner Street, NW Blacksburg, VA 24061

Want to become a Hokie?

• Available to Fall Transfer Applicants
• Available to First-Year Applicants
• Available to Spring Transfer Applicants
• Available to Summer Transfer Applicants
• College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

Degree Types

• Bachelor of Arts
• Master of Fine Arts
• Autobiography
• Children's Literature
• Creative Non-Fiction
• Electronic Literature
• Experimental
• Fantasy Fiction
• Flash Fiction
• Graphic Novel
• Kid's Literature
• Literary Mag
• Literary Magazine
• Literary Realism
• Mystery Writing
• New Media Creative Writing
• Novel Writing
• Playwriting
• Post-Modernism
• Prose Poems
• Prose Poetry
• Reading Series
• Science Fiction
• Screenwriting
• Short Shorts
• Short Stories
• Short Story
• Speculative Fiction
• Visiting Writer
• Young Adult Fiction

Undergraduate Major

Undergraduate advising.

• Law and Justice

Related Programs

• Multimedia Journalism
• Professional and Technical Writing
• Communication

Related URLs

• Undergraduate Course Catalog and Academic Policies
• Transfer Guide

Search for a Class

Upcoming events, a page in the life memoir group, rainbow write-in with eleanor’s norfolk, open mic night at the muse, reservoir dogs at the naro expanded cinema.

View Events Calendar →

Support the Muse

The Muse Writers Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and your tax-deductible donation will help us continue to grow and serve the Hampton Roads literary community, including offering scholarships and tuition help as well as through our outreach programs to youth, seniors, and the military community.

The Muse Writers Center celebrates creative writing and the literary arts throughout Hampton Roads, Virginia, the nation, and beyond. We offer in-person, online, and hybrid creative writing classes, workshops, and seminars in every genre (fiction, poetry, nonfiction, screenwriting, songwriting, and comic book writing, as well as craft and professional development) for beginning and experienced writers--whether they be adults, children, or teens. In our Norfolk literary center, we house a library and space for writers to work and meet. We host diverse and culturally relevant literary events, readings, open mics, and special events at The Muse, around the region, and online for every audience. We never turn anyone away from a class because of their financial situation and have provided tuition help and scholarships to more than 4,000 people. Our engaging and creative outreach to youth and schools, senior living communities, and the military community is always expanding.  More about us →

Our Students Say

I think the Muse is brilliant and that Norfolk/Hampton Roads is unbelievably fortunate to have this resource. And that I am beyond fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of it, for which I am incredibly grateful for the Muse’s generosity in allowing me to participate in spite of my current state of very limited income.

Coming around the Muse is the most ‘at home’ I’ve felt in a long time. So glad you all are around.

The Muse keeps me afloat, and is the best community I’ve ever found. Thank you.

The Muse is the place where I can open my mind and let my thoughts out, since I can’t do that anywhere else, like in school. It’s more of a creative place where there are other people like me, and I can share my opinions and views and get feedback as well. I have definitely improved my poetry, and also I have started getting into screenwriting, and the classes give me short story ideas. I want a career as a writer; I aspire to be a professional author and poet.

Thanks for creating an outlet and community for something I’ve always wanted to do. I especially appreciate the rigor that The Muse provides. I’m always impressed by the caliber of the instructors and my fellow students. Keep up the good work!

The Muse is an amazing place and the fact that it is available even when I can’t afford to pay speaks to the true support of writing and all creativity. It is a quality place, and I am learning so much.

Welcome to The Muse!

READY TO WRITE?

HAVE THE MUSE SEND YOU CLASSES, TIPS, & TRICKS STRAIGHT TO YOUR MAILBOX :

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

You’ve been successfully subscribed to our newsletter!

• 2024 VWC Symposium
• VWC Board of Governors Meetings
• VWC Journal Guidelines
• 2023 Golden Nib Contest
• 2024 Golden Nib Contest
• 2024 Teen Nib Contest
• AAG Current Newsletter
• Blue Ridge Writers
• Chesapeake Bay Writers (CBW)
• Hanover Writers
• Hampton Roads
• Northern Virginia Writers Club
• Richmond Writers
• Riverside Writers
• Lake Writers
• Write by the Rails
• YVWC (Teens)
• 2024 Scholarship
• Speakers Bureau
• VWC Library
• Publications
• Member Directory
• Members in Print
• Down Pens- Members We've Lost
• Join VWC now!
• 2019 Golden Nib Winners
• Teen Nib 2020 Winners

Budding Artists

When it comes time to sign up for seasonal activities, sports aren’t the only option. Throughout Northern Virginia there are a variety of programs to entice the creative mind of a child. While this round-up is not a comprehensive listing, it offers a multitude of options that foster the writer, artist, performer and scientist in your child.

By Lynn Norusis and Sophia Rutti

Writing Writopia Labs Programs through Writopia Labs bring the professionals to your child. Seasonal sessions for children 6 to 18 years old meet for 10 weeks for an hour and a half and cover different genres each week—science fiction, fantasy, memoir, humor, poetry, etc. Writopia also offers workshops geared toward college essays along with filmmaking and video game writing at their headquarters in Washington, D.C. / Falls Church

Northern Virginia Writing Project For almost 30 years, George Mason University’s Northern Virginia Writing Project has fostered the love of the written word in over 7,000 youths, and they continue to do so with Saturday workshops each fall and spring. With acute directives in all genres of writing, the one-day sessions run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Programs are offered for those in grades 5-12 in the fall and 4-12 in the spring. / Fairfax

Art Treehouse for Creative Kids At Treehouse beginner students are instructed through different projects each week using multiple mediums such as pastels, colored pencils, charcoal, watercolors, graphite and acrylics. Intermediate and advanced level artists focus on creating original works, and they receive guidance in refining skills. There are also specific classes for animation and cartoon drawing. Treehouse also offers classes in acting, vocals and creative writing. / Ashburn

The Art League This Alexandria nonprofit art center offers a range of classes for a range of students age 5 through teenagers. Programs include a focus on painting, drawing, manga and cartooning, clay animation, sculpting and more. / Alexandria

Arlington Arts Center Creating starts with observation, and at Arlington Art Center this basic instruction is brought into all of the children’s art classes that introduce the students to two- and three-dimensional media. Each week different skills such as drawing, painting and sculpture are taught. / Arlington

Music Music Together For the littlest music lovers from infants to kindergartners this school offers classes that have the children getting hands-on experience with pianos, guitars and their own bodies as instruments. Parents join in the fun too, for 45 minutes every week in the fall, winter and spring. / Multiple NoVA locations

Potomac Music Academy with GMU Choose a music class—piano, voice, guitar, composition, violin/strings, percussion and ensembles—for a person of any age from under 8 years old to 55 and up. There are a wide variety of classes offered in the fall and spring. / Fairfax

Bach to Rock Bach to Rock, or B2R, is a music school for kids of all ages. After school kids can get excited about music by taking individual or group classes on any instrument (guitar, drums and piano) or discipline. / Multiple NoVA locations

Global Music Academy Learn how to play any instrument that you can think of, not to mention music theory, all types of dance and voice training at Global Music Academy. Group or individual classes for kids of all ages are offered throughout the year, and transportation from nearby schools is offered for the academy’s after school programs. / Fairfax Station

School of Rock This school has taught kids from around the country how to rock out, but if rocking isn’t their thing, there are options from learning the piano to jazz vocal training. And practicing in the area isn’t the only option. Students from School of Rock have the chance to go on tour with the School of Rock Allstars. / Multiple NoVA locations

Theater Acting for Young People Professional actors, directors and artists lead acting programs at AFYP. Participants polish their acting skills in fall and winter classes and through workshops, camps and in-school programs. They put them to the test in seasonal showcases and touring shows. / Fairfax

Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre brings drama to children through in-school programs. Session run for eight weeks for an hour to an hour and a half and bring attention to theater jargon and practice through improvisation and games with a final presentation for friends and family. The company also holds spring break and summer camps and auditions for their seasonal productions. / Alexandria

Encore Stage Their mission is to “build a lifelong appreciation for live theater,” and at Encore Stage children ages K-12 are instructed by professionals to bring about their love of the stage. Early actors are enticed by Disney Dance, Magic School Bus Pixar Pals and American Girl classes while older students participate in SNL skits, broadway bootcamp and famous scenes instruction. / Arlington

Synetic Theater While the company may be best known for bringing contemporary productions to the stage, Synetic grabs future actors at a young age through theater programs incorporating all types of movement such as gymnastics, dance, mime and more. The focus of the seasonal classes is to teach the fundamentals of acting. / Arlington

Science Ideaventions Ideaventions is an open lab for young scientists. The company focuses its programs on science, technology engineering and math, which has students engaging in everything from robotics and prototyping to chemistry and digital construction. Ideaventions, a 2,000-square-foot science center with four laboratories, even has mini museum. / Oakton

Curiosity Zone Pique the interests of your children with time at Curiosity Zone where science is brought to them through stories and labs. Science classes are geared toward ages 2 through 5th grade, and the music program, in partnership with CZone, is offered for children ages 0-6. Young scientists will learn about animals, earth through backyard adventures and kitchen science and more, while the older set delves into aerodynamics, earth sciences and forensics. / Ashburn

Mad Science With seven different eight-week sessions to choose from, budding scientists learn all about the earth through hand-on experiments such as creating indoor storms, bending light and learning how sound travels. The programs teach children to be inquisitive about their environment and learn about a multitude of science specialties. / Multiple NoVA locations

<< Back to the Kids Issue

(March 2015)