WGVU Write Create You

What is the
Write. Create. You.
project?

The project consists of a series of creative writing workshops hosted in Grand Rapids Public Middle Schools throughout the school year. Each month, one school will host four workshops with four different instructors. Workshop instructors consist of local authors, professors and other writing professionals. Students will learn about everything from Poetry Slams to character development to comic book creation.

How did the
project come about?

WGVU received a $12,000 grant from the National Center for Outreach to facilitate this project. The grant covers the 28 workshops that will be held throughout the year, as well as a local broadcast at the end of the year and information about the project surrounding our two featured project programs: P.O.V.’s The Hobart Shakespeareans and In the Realms of the Unreal.

Who are the instructors?

We have several instructors currently involved in the project, including:
Alisha Blondeel – Grand Rapids Performance Poet
Leslie Helakoski – Lawton Author
Ryan Hipp – Grand Rapids Author and Illustrator
Shirley Neitzel – Grand Rapids Author
Kristin Wolden Nitz – Holland Author
Tracey Smith – Kalamazoo Poetry Slam Master
Tom Woodruff – Fenwick Author
Monica Harris – Kalamazoo Author
Scott Cramton – Grand Rapids Writer, Head Writer for The Haunt
Janet Heller – Portage Author

If you are interested in becoming an instructor, please contact Emily Maurin at maurinem@gvsu.edu or 616-331-6785.

When are the workshops? Who can come?

Workshops are held every Wednesday afternoon at one of the seven middle schools. Any student that participates in The LOOP can sign up to take part in a workshop. Each session is limited to 20 – 30 students.

Who’s involved?

The project is facilitated through WGVU and The LOOP, the after school program hosted throughout many Grand Rapids Public Schools. The LOOP has tutoring and mentoring opportunities, and offers the kids several field trips throughout the year to local venues such as the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Grand Rapids Ballet, and Opera Grand Rapids. The project was created by WGVU, The LOOP, and Ryan Hipp, a writer and author from the Grand Rapids area.

Write. Create. Me?

Are you part of The LOOP? Have you attended a Write. Create. You. workshop? If so, we want to see your work! Show WGVU and the rest of West Michigan what you’ve created. Click HERE to submit your story, poem, comic book or other writing project to WGVU. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number in case we need to get in touch with you. You could see your writing featured here on wgvu.org or even on WGVU TV!

You can also send in your work by mailing it to:

Emily Maurin
WGVU
301 West Fulton
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

The 2006 - 2007 Write. Create. You. program is sponsored by