A workshop for youths interested in crafting their own stories and exploring the untold stories of others.
We know that too often youth are not heard. We want to be a part of their journey as writers and readers because we believe in the power of stories and their stories. So we are inviting you to join journalist and Snapdragon: A Journal of Art & Healing's blog curator, Tina Firesheets, for this virtual 3-part series.
Objectives:
- Learn how to transform your journal-writing into columns and personal essays.
- Learn how to extract amazing stories from others.
- Develop your interviewing and writing skills.
- Learn tips that journalists use to get the best story.
- Experience the power of storytelling.
Outline:
Week 1
The first class will focus on crafting your own stories, using some of your journal writing as a springboard for more focused personal essay writing. We will also talk about the healing poetry of writing and storytelling.
Week 2
The second class will be devoted to gathering and telling your family stories. We’ll discuss interviewing techniques and tips for capturing and documenting the interviews. You will select a family member or friend to interview, then write a story based on that person’s experiences.
Week 3
In the final class we’ll share our experiences and stories, and talk about tips for how you can build off of what you've learned.
What's needed:
- Access to the Internet and Zoom (a Zoom account can be set up for free)
About the Instructor:
Tina Firesheets got her start in journalism with her high school newspaper, and then served as editors for the campus newspapers of both colleges she attended. She was a journalist at the Greensboro News & Record for nearly 15 years, covering education, local government, community news and business. She most enjoyed her years as a feature writer for a national award-winning features section. She was also the founding editor of 1808: Greensboro’s Magazine, published by the Greensboro News & Record. While its editor, the magazine received North Carolina Press Association and Society of Professional Journalists awards in the Best Niche publications categories. Currently, Tina is an associate creative director at Pace Communications, a freelance writer, and Snapdragon Journal's blog curator
Tina Firesheets got her start in journalism with her high school newspaper, and then served as editors for the campus newspapers of both colleges she attended. She was a journalist at the Greensboro News & Record for nearly 15 years, covering education, local government, community news and business. She most enjoyed her years as a feature writer for a national award-winning features section. She was also the founding editor of 1808: Greensboro’s Magazine, published by the Greensboro News & Record. While its editor, the magazine received North Carolina Press Association and Society of Professional Journalists awards in the Best Niche publications categories. Currently, Tina is an associate creative director at Pace Communications, a freelance writer, and Snapdragon Journal's blog curator
|
"I grew up (begrudgingly) listening to my mother's stories of what it was like to grow up in Japan during WWII. As a child, I thought I'd die if I had to listen to her stories much longer. I cherish those stories today. One of the best things I did was audio record interviews with my mother before she died. Our family stories are so important because they shape so much of who we become. You don't realize it as much when you're young, but when you become an adult, you realize many of your beliefs and philosophies are a direct result of what shaped your own parents, grandparents and family members." - Tina Firesheets, instructor |