Winter Story Camp: Creative Writing Workshops for Young Writers

Join us in the studio for creative writing workshops to help your inner storyteller shine!

This winter, we're exploring magical transformations, dream worlds, and stories of belonging that spark the imagination during the cooler months. We'll dive into tales where objects come alive, animals speak, and stories themselves become adventures. Through these literary inspired journeys, you'll gather ingredients to weave into your own unique creations while developing your writer's voice!

It is not a requirement to have read any of these books before attending, but it will be helpful to get the most out of each workshop. (Perhaps some cozy winter holiday reading? :)

Story Camps are suitable for ages 8 - 13. All workshops are held at our Balwyn North studio.

If you'd like to know more about any of these workshops before booking, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to writing with you soon!

Program Schedule:

✨ TUESDAY 8 JULY

10am - 12 pm: The 397th White Elephant by Rene Guillot

In this enchanting tale, we meet a boy king who goes in search of a new royal elephant. This story explores the wonder of a single creature imbuing magic into the lives of many, as well as the magic of objects coming to life and finding their purpose. In this workshop, we'll imagine our own ordinary objects or creatures transforming into extraordinary characters. By the end of the workshop, you'll have crafted a magical story about transformation and discovery.
*This book is an old French classic - if you can’t get a hold of it, don’t worry. It’s not very long and we will go over the story together in the workshop!

1 - 3 pm: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

This classic story follows Alice as she falls down a rabbit hole into a fantastical world filled with peculiar creatures, nonsensical rules, and dream-like logic. In this workshop, we'll explore dream-like storytelling and symbolism. How can seemingly random elements create meaningful stories? What rules govern your wonderland? You'll create your own surreal adventure with hidden meanings and whimsical characters that lead readers through an unforgettable journey.

✨ WEDNESDAY 9 JULY

10 - 12 pm: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers she's alone on a remote island with only animals for company. She learns to adapt to her environment and begins to change in unexpected ways. In this workshop, we'll explore what happens when technology meets nature. What could go wrong? What could go surprisingly right? You'll craft a story that bridges these two worlds, exploring themes of adaptation, belonging, and discovery.

1 - 3 pm: Dragonskin by Karen Foxlee

In this captivating tale, readers are transported to a world where dragons and humans coexist, and one courageous young protagonist discovers the power of understanding creatures different from ourselves. In this workshop, we'll explore creating magical creatures and the worlds they inhabit. What kind of mythical creature would you design? What special abilities would it have? What would happen if a human formed an unlikely friendship with your creature? You'll craft an imaginative story about connection across differences while bringing your fantasy world to life.

✨ THURSDAY 10 JULY

10 - 12 pm: Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie

In this magical adventure, young Haroun discovers a world where stories originate in the sea. When the Sea of Stories is threatened, he must embark on a quest to restore the flow of imagination. In this workshop, we're going to write stories about stories themselves! What happens when stories are lost? How might they be found again? Where do stories come from in your imagination? You'll create a tale about the importance of storytelling - how stories connect us and help us understand our world.

1 - 3 pm: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

This moving story follows Auggie Pullman, a boy with facial differences attending school for the first time, and his journey of finding acceptance and friendship. In this workshop, we'll explore character development and writing about uniqueness and belonging. How do our differences make us special? How do characters find their place in the world? You'll create characters with depth and heart, crafting a story about acceptance, courage, and the many ways we can belong.

✨ BONUS OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SUPER KEEN WRITERS - FRIDAY 11 JULY

1 - 4 pm: Young Writers' Café

For those writers who are crafting big personal projects like chapter books, short story collections, and graphic novels ... and for those who want to develop a particular story (perhaps one you wrote during Story Camp!), or to spend more time in our creative space with a prompt that excites you: I'm opening up the studio for you to delve into a writing project of your choice. I know how helpful it can be to have a specific time and place to work on your own stories. I'll be here to offer feedback, support and guidance if/when you're ready! 

Important Information

✏️ $45 per workshop / $80 per day / or $210 for the full Story Camp (3 days)! (Tuesday - Thursday)

✏️ $55 for the Young Writers' Café 

✏️ Young writers who are staying for 2 workshops in one day are welcome to stay with us during the break (no extra charge). 

✏️ Please bring a snack and/or packed lunch and a water bottle.

✏️ Please let us know any medical conditions, special requirements, or fun facts we should be aware of when making your booking. We'll do everything we can to make our space as comfortable, safe, and fun as possible for all young writers!

✏️ Before booking, please be sure to read our Terms & Conditions.

About your facilitator

Amy Han is a writer and the founder of Words of a Feather. You can read more about her here!