Writing Classes for Teens Archives

Why Do We Write??

Our ‘Short Story Creation’ camp is now well underway at the Centauri Arts Academy! We began by asking ourselves why we write, and the ‘tools’ we use to inspire our creative writing. All campers created statements exploring the reasons why they write, and used these to create a personal list poem in which every line began “I write with…”. Writers shared their favourite lines with a partner, who also helped them edit the lines for maximum impact. Finally, each writer submitted their favourite line, and these were combined to form a collaborative poem entitled: We Write With… Here is the result – which demonstrates the talent and wisdom of this incredible group of young writers: We Write With… A collective writing piece from the "How [...]

July 10th, 2024|Writing Classes for Teens, Writing Resources|

Creative Writers Belong Here!

Over the past few years our exciting courses and talented instructors have placed Centauri Arts at the forefront of creative writing schools in Ontario – and now we’re offering programs for adults, too! Here’s everything you need to know about our Creative Writing courses and instructors… Summer Programs for Youth in Creative Writing This summer, writers aged 11-17 can choose from several exciting specialist writing camps! Join us in the studio for week-long camps in ‘Short Story Creation’ or ‘Writing for TV & Film… or check out ‘Character Quest’ which explores the creation of characters for all genres. We have an all-encompassing ‘Poetry and Fiction’ camp at the end of the summer, and writers too far away to join us in person can select our [...]

June 26th, 2024|Academy, Writing Classes, writing classes for adults, Writing Classes for Teens|

A FREE Creative Writing Workshop – and an Open House!

Join us for a FREE virtual Creative Writing Workshop Julie Hartley is offering a FREE Creative Writing workshop on Thursday 25th August, 7-8pm EST. This event is open to anyone who loves to write – adult writers, teen writers and children 9+. Creative Writing prompts include fantasy, memoir and poetry. Discover the joy of writing with us… just RSVP to julieATcentauriarts.com to receive the Zoom link for this workshop – then curl up in your favourite writing spot and get ready to be inspired. Centauri Arts Open House: Meet the Directors, and See our Studio Are you considering our classes in creative writing, fine art, film or acting for the first time this Fall? Are you interested in our English Tutoring program? Then come along [...]

August 12th, 2022|Academy, writing classes for adults, Writing Classes for Teens|

How to Write an Essay – and Why it Matters!

Essay writing skills are a key component of our English Tutoring program at Centauri Arts. Here are some of the ‘tips and tricks’ we offer our English tutoring students, to help them improve their writing skills: Planning before you begin to write is key to essay writing success Planning an essay carefully helps you organize your thoughts.. It also ensures you spot gaps in your research, and weaknesses in your argument, before you begin to write. Learn how to write a successful thesis statement For students in high school and beyond, a well crafted thesis statement is essential to success. Your thesis statement should be sufficiently ‘weighty’ to enable you to develop arguments sufficiently complex to ensure a good mark! Learn to craft successful topic [...]

August 10th, 2022|Academy, English Tutoring, Writing Classes for Teens|

6 Benefits of Creative Writing Classes and Creative Writing Camps!

Centauri Arts offers creative virtual and in-person creative writing classes for teenagers, and creative writing camps for children and teens – plus, occasional creative writing workshops for adults. But what are the benefits of creative writing classes? Creative Writing Classes Help Improve Writing Skills Our parents tell us that when their children and teens take creative writing classes with us, their academic grades improve. The more you write, the better at it you become – creative writing classes are a terrific way to improve writing skills! Creative Writing Classes and Camps Create Enthusiastic Readers Young people who write more, read more, too! Whether young writers are interested in writing poetry, writing short fiction, writing novels, writing plays or exploring genre fiction such as fantasy, science [...]

July 5th, 2022|Academy, Writing Classes for Teens|

Young Writers: 5 Places to Submit Your Work!

If you are a young writer working on a manuscript, then you are probably wondering which markets exist for your work. There are many literary magazines and publishing houses that accept work from young writers – and there are creative writing competitions for young writers, too! Here are some opportunities for young writers, to start you on your way. Remember a strong cover letter is always important when you are submitting your manuscript for consideration: Young Voices Magazine The Toronto Public Library publishes an annual magazine - Young Voices - which publishes the work of young writers and artists. You can check it out here: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/teens/young-voices.jsp The Walrus Magazine & Amazon Awards for Youth The magazine’s Youth Short Story Category invites authors between the ages [...]

March 31st, 2022|Academy, Writing Classes for Teens|

Creative Writing Classes at Centauri Arts: a Place for Young Writers to Grow

If you love creative writing – poetry, short fiction, writing novels, screenplays and more – then Centauri is the place for you. For 27 years, we’ve brought together young writers, and talented creative writing teachers to inspire them… and we continue to do so with creative writing classes AND creative writing summer camps, all starting in the next few weeks. Creative Writing Classes this Spring (starting April 2022). Julie Hartley is our instructor for the next Saturday creative writing class, which begins in our Bloor West studio on Saturday 23rd April. If you live in Bloor West Village, Swansea or anywhere else in Etobicoke and Mississauga, join us for a creative writing class that focusses on fantasy and science fiction. VIRTUAL Creative Writing Classes and [...]

March 30th, 2022|Academy, Writing Classes for Teens|

New Creative Writing Class for Teenagers in Our Bloor West Village Location!

Short fiction… poetry… novels… if your teenager loves writing in any of these forms, they would likely LOVE our new Creative Writing class, which begins in our Bloor West Village studio on Wednesday 23 February. The instructor for this program is centre director Julie Hartley; read all about her publications and experience at www.juliehartley.ca Creative Writing: From Prompts to Finished Product Most of our creative writing classes in Toronto and virtually focus on technique and inspiration; they combine imaginative creative writing prompts with a chance to learn about character development, plot structure, genre fiction and more. This class is a little different – it’s aimed at high school students who have experience as writers, and the goal is to help young writers to finish a [...]

January 25th, 2022|Academy, Writing Classes for Teens|

Young Writers: 8 Markets Looking for Your Work!

Getting Published... There are plenty of places that young writers can submit their creative writing: magazines and writing competitions are great options. If you have a short story, poem, novel excerpt or even art piece you would like to see in print, check out the following options: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/teens/young-voices.jsp This is a creative writing magazine published annually. They accept art, too! You must live in the Toronto area to submit your creative writing. https://thewalrus.ca/amazon-first-novel-award-youth/ This one is a great choice for young writers working on a novel! https://www.breakbreadproject.org/submissionguidelines This magazine promotes work by creative writers under the age of 25. https://www.nawe.co.uk/DB/magazines/cuckoo-quarterly.html This is a UK-based online magazine designed by and for young writers. For art, novels, creative non-fiction, poetry and short stories, try out this New [...]

December 16th, 2021|Academy, Writing Classes for Teens, Writing Prompts|

Creative Writing Classes for Teens: 10 Ways to Get Inspired!

Young writers in our creative writing classes often ask for writing prompts they can use to write poetry and short stories in their own time. Here’s 10 ways to find inspiration for your creative writing: Spend a day noticing whenever you smile, and what caused it. This is a great way to write poetry! Ask random questions on social media, and use the responses as writing prompts. Example: in ten words, what is something you always wanted to do, but never had the courage to try? Open a book at random and make note of interesting phrases. Use these in your creative writing. Take a virtual tour of an art gallery or museum. Imagine the story behind a famous painting, sculpture or artefact. Look for [...]

December 13th, 2021|Academy, Writing Classes for Teens|