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Creative Writing Workshop

At the WordFellow Shop, Every Moment Finds Its Place on the Page

BAGO ANG LAHAT

READ THE PRE-WORDSHOP TIPS. DOWNLOAD THE WFS CHECKLIST.

a man sitting at a table writing on a piece of paper
a man sitting at a table writing on a piece of paper
Pre-WordShop Tips

FOCUS ON A MOST CHERISHED MOMENT. DO A BRAINSTORMING TO GUIDE THE SUBJECT OF YOUR ESSAY.

person writing on a book
person writing on a book
WFS Brainstorming
person holding pencil near laptop computer
person holding pencil near laptop computer
fountain pen on black lined paper
fountain pen on black lined paper
Creative Writing with a WordFellow

FOLLOW THIS QUICK LEARNING CURVE. TRY NOT TO SKIP THIS STEP. DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST. SUBMIT ALL-123 TASK WHEN DONE.

WFS Checklist

WordFellow Shop 1: Crafting the Personal Essay

Welcome to the WordFellow Shop! The first writing challenge at the WFS is drafting your personal essay focusing on a subject or moment that is close to your heart. The guide below will help you with creative writing. Work through these building blocks in your flexible time.

Step 1. Decide on an Anchor for Your Personal Essay

  • What is the concise anchor idea for your essay? (An anchor will focus your narrative)

  • What specific topic about this idea will you explore? (A topic will narrow down your idea)

  • Why does this story matter to you? (A purpose can help direct the essay's style)

Step 2. Brainstorm the Essential Details

  • List names, places, events, objects, and turning points relevant to your anchor.

  • Gather references, books that are immediately available, and list other sources for additional research and data gathering.

Step 3. Read and Learn from Write Models

  • Read a classic anthology of personal essays. Take note of voice and writing styles.

  • Close read, and annotate how the writers' use of imagery in reflection follows a deliberate pacing.

  • Write a short paragraph or short essay after a model, applying your discoveries about how to write.

Step 4. Write an Essay with a WFS exercise

  1. Stop, Look, and Listen

    • Sit down at some quiet corner of a favorite spot for an hour or two. Write a description of heard and observed sounds, movements, and feelings.

  2. List Names and Data Sources

    • List at least 15–20 people, objects, or events peripheral to your description.

    • Specify a context, probably familial, social, political, or religious.

  3. Engage Language, Image, Nuance

    • Draft a full scene (300–400 words) that evokes emotion through tone and image.

    • Read the essay aloud. Let a WordFellow listen to the language. What feels great? What seems lacking?

Enter a WordFellow Shop

WordFellow Shop for Creative Writing

Let's get started. We're excited about your ideas! For more inspiration, click the links to some WordHouse insights below. When you're through and happy about your personal essay, tick 'I have Written'.

six white sticky notes
six white sticky notes
About the Tulak-Sulat Exercises

  1. Stopping, looking, listening—finding the story in the quiet.

  2. Listing, naming, sourcing—grounding the story in detail.

  3. Image, nuance, performance—bringing the story to life.

Tulak-Sulat: Write Your Personal Essay

  1. Why writing your personal essay matters

  2. What you need to list, name, or curate before writing

  3. How to read a personal essay as writer

  4. How to close read the creative-non fiction genre

I have Written!
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