A semester-long online class for ages 15-18

Advanced High School
Creative Writing

This course is an immersive, craft-focused experience for high school writers ready to refine their voice and elevate their storytelling.

With weekly lessons on literary technique, layered themes, experimental structure, and revision strategies, students tackle bold, original work with depth and intention. The focus? Thoughtful, authentic fiction that’s ready for publication—or at least serious pride.

Class Details

Your teen can become a confident, creative storyteller— this class will show them how!

  • Ages: 15-18

  • Length: 12 weeks

  • Time Commitment: ~1–2 hours/week

  • Format: Asynchronous online course

  • Cost: $357

  • Start Date: Fall Semester runs September 8, 2025-November 30, 2025

What’s covered in class:

Each week includes:

  • A deep-dive lesson on advanced literary craft, structure, or theme

  • A thought-provoking activity to explore nuanced storytelling choices

  • A writing prompt designed to push creative boundaries

  • Personalized teacher feedback with a focus on voice, revision, and polish

Over 12 weeks, students will:

  • Explore complex themes and multi-layered storytelling structures

  • Use advanced tools like symbolism, voice modulation, and nonlinear narrative

  • Write with intention, refining their prose for emotional and literary impact

  • Experiment with genre, tone, and structure to develop their own style

  • Produce a sophisticated, polished piece ready for publication or portfolio use

Who it’s for:

This class is a perfect fit for:

  • High schoolers (typically ages 15–18) with prior creative writing experience

  • Writers interested in developing a unique, compelling literary voice

  • Students eager to produce publishable or portfolio-worthy work

  • Teens who want detailed, individualized support from an experienced writing mentor

Ideal for graduates of our Intermediate High School course—or anyone writing at an advanced level

How it works

Log in to our Google Classroom each week to read a short, friendly lesson on a key writing skill (like character, dialogue, or theme).

  1. Do a quick, creative activity to explore that skill.

  2. Write your story with help from a fun, focused prompt.

  3. Get encouraging feedback from a real author who’s on your side.

By the end of 12 weeks, students will have written multiple short pieces and one refined, ambitious story—perfect for a writing portfolio or future submission.

And hey— does your learner need some face to face time each week, or extra support with a lesson? No problem! The teacher offers Zoom office hours once weekly, where students can drop in to chat in person.

What parents are saying about WordPlay…

  • “This is an absolutely fantastic class. My daughter is a very reluctant writer - until we found this class! She loves this class and is always is so excited to show me her writings after class."

    Celine G.

  • “This was a fantastic class. My son had a great time, and it challenged him to make strong progress from week to week. He's had Jackson as an instructor for other classes for quite some time, and the quality of the instruction is top notch. Highly recommend!"

    Kathryn W.

  • "My teen has taken many WordPlay Writing Co. classes and has always had positive experiences. In this class, he finds Saundra's feedback to be helpful and describes her as kind and inclusive."

    Sabrina P.

  • "You can’t go wrong with a Jackson Pearce-led class. I have zero doubts that Ms. Pearce has helped my child go from a kid who LOVED reading, but HATED writing to a kid who now finds writing to be a need."

    Janet C.

  • "Saundra Mitchell has been an incredible teacher for my children. She’s patient, supportive, and always brings such a positive energy to her classes. My kids said she was very enthusiastic—they felt truly encouraged and motivated to keep improving their writing."

    Pamela G.

Weekly Schedule

Week one:
Writing Identity and Intent
Students explore what defines them as writers—favorite genres, themes, habits, and voice. Through a creative self-introduction, they begin shaping a clear sense of purpose and artistic identity.

Week two:
Reinventing Your Own Work
Writers learn to radically revise by starting fresh. They’ll take an older piece, tear it down, and rebuild it from a bold new angle—switching tone, genre, or perspective.

Week three:
Crafting Standalone Scenes
This week focuses on writing scenes that feel complete on their own. Students will learn how to build tension, emotion, and movement without needing a full story around it.

Week four:
Breaking Form
Students experiment with nontraditional storytelling formats—like lists, second person, transcripts, or stories told through notes or stage directions. It’s all about taking risks with form while staying grounded in voice.

Week five:
The Art of Juxtaposition
Writers explore the power of contrast—pairing opposites like grief and humor or chaos and quiet to create layered, emotionally resonant work.

Week six:
Metafiction and Story Awareness
This week introduces stories that break the fourth wall or acknowledge their own storytelling. Students will experiment with narrators who are self-aware, unreliable, or actively shaping the plot.

Week seven:
Dialogue Without Dialogue Tags
Writers learn how to make conversations flow without using “he said” or “she said,” relying instead on character voice, rhythm, and subtext to keep readers engaged and oriented.

Week eight:
Writing the Silent Moment
Students focus on quiet, emotional beats—scenes where gesture, imagery, or unspoken tension speaks louder than dialogue. This teaches subtlety, pacing, and emotional restraint.

Week nine:
Precision and Power: The Final Line Edit
In this micro-editing week, writers sharpen their prose at the sentence level—cutting unnecessary words, adjusting rhythm, and polishing for clarity, emotion, and impact.

Week ten:
Final Project Planning
Writers develop the blueprint for their final piece, choosing form, tone, theme, and character direction. This ensures that the final draft is intentional and creatively ambitious.

Week eleven:
Final Drafting Time
This is a full writing week with no lesson—just time to draft, polish, and complete their final story or project, drawing on everything they’ve learned across the course.

Week twelve:
Reflection and Release
Writers reflect on how their voice and process have evolved. They’ll compare where they began with where they are now and identify the stories they’re excited to tell next.

Plus, access to weekly teacher office hours, where the teacher is available to meet with your child live via Zoom for additional support!

Ready to write?

Click below to enroll for Fall 2025 in the Advanced High School Creative Writing class—your writer’s next adventure starts here!

FAQs

  • Not at all! Enroll your learner in whatever class seems the best fit for them, regardless of age. The recommended ages are merely our way of generalizing who the class was designed for.

  • Nope! Though we do recommend starting with the beginner levels— even if your learner is an avid writer— this is a recommendation, not a requirement.

  • Probably! WordPlay is officially ESA eligible in Arizona, Utah, Florida, New Hampshire, Alabama, North Carolina, Arkansas, and West Virginia. If your state isn’t listed or your charter requires additional paperwork, just reach out— we’ll do everything we can to make it happen for you.

  • Great observation—and you’re right! We believe middle schoolers are ready for real storytelling tools, especially when those tools are taught in a fun, accessible way. While concepts like subplots, voice, or symbolism may sound advanced, we break them down with clear examples, playful activities, and guided prompts.

    Our goal isn’t to pressure students to write “perfect” stories—it’s to give them new ways to think, explore, and express themselves. Many students surprise themselves with what they’re capable of when given the right support and encouragement. Plus, each assignment comes with personalized feedback to help students grow at their own pace.