Winter Story Camp: Creative Writing Workshops for Young Writers

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

It's cold outside, but from our cosy studio, we'll let nature carry us through the elements of age-old story-telling. From the flowing river of ideas to laying earthy foundations, planting story seeds, and breathing life into narratives with our words, we'll grow a small forest of stories, finishing our three-day camp with - what else? - sitting around the 'campfire' and telling new and old tales.

Will you join us for the adventure?

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!

Workshop Schedule:

✨ TUESDAY 2 JULY

10am - 12pm: The River of Ideas, the Beginning of Worlds 

Each of us is a vibrant, flowing river of experiences, thoughts, and stories we have read, seen, and heard. In this workshop, we will wade through this river collecting the shiniest treasures to start imagining a new story world.

Focus: Ideas & Setting

1 - 3pm: Who lives in this village?

Whether your story takes place in a mountain village, a futuristic city, an underwater castle, or outer space, it must also happen to someone. Who lives here? What are they doing here? What are they searching for? In this workshop, focussed on developing unforgettable characters, we're going to find out!

Focus: Ideas & Character

✨ WEDNESDAY 3 JULY

10am - 12pm: Terra Storius: Foundations for Magnificent Stories

No matter how experienced we become as writers, it is always helpful to remember that stories - like houses - are built on solid foundations. What pieces does every story need? What are common plans that have made stories memorable over centuries? In this workshop, we'll share story layouts to help you turn any topic into a magnificent story.

Focus: Story Structure

1 - 3pm: Let the Words Flow (Part 1)

Now that we have all of our story seeds planted, there's only one thing left to do: WRITE! In this workshop, we will practice the art of freewriting to help us trust in our ability to tell the stories we have inside us, have fun letting the words flow, and have a nice chat to those 'writer's blocks' that often try to stand in our way.

Focus: Writing & Story Development

✨ THURSDAY 4 JULY

10am - 12pm: Let the Words Flow (Part 2) 

This workshop provides an opportunity to continue writing, or practice writing new stories from a selection of prompts. For those who are ready, we will also discuss how to edit and write second and final drafts to further craft our stories into masterpieces.

Focus: Writing, Story Development & Editing

1 - 3pm: Campfire Stories

Join us under the proverbial stars as we put the final touches on our writings, find inspiration in oral storytelling from the past and present, and fill the skies with our own new tales to share around the studio campfire.*
* don't worry, we won't be lighting a real fire
* family and friends are invited to join us from 2.40pm for campfire readings!

Focus: Editing & Oral Storytelling

Workshop Structure

✏️ Story Camp workshops have been designed for young writers to develop one story over three days, OR write a short story in each workshop (or a mix of both!). We keep our groups small, with a ratio of 1 mentor per 6 writers, to ensure we can cater to different levels, creative processes, and abilities to attend. 

✏️ Each workshop will include an inspiration session & discussion, a warm-up activity, writing time, and a sharing circle.

Important Information

✏️ Book 2 or more tickets and automatically save 20%!

✏️ Young writers who are staying for the 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. Each workshop will include a short snack break, and we will have a lunch break between the morning and afternoon workshops.

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