A semester-long online class for ages 15-18

Beginner High School
Creative Writing

This course is a supportive, skill-building experience for high school students new to creative writing, no matter their background.

Through weekly lessons on character, plot, dialogue, point of view, theme, and revision, students develop foundational techniques while exploring their creative voice. With a focus on strong storytelling and imaginative thinking, this course helps students craft complete, confident short stories—and walk away proud of what they’ve written.

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 focused lesson on a core creative writing skill

  • A hands-on activity that explores structure, character, or tone

  • A writing prompt to spark imagination and practice new techniques

  • Personalized teacher feedback to encourage growth and clarity

Over 12 weeks, students will:

  • Learn foundational tools like character arcs, plot structure, and dialogue

  • Practice writing from different points of view and building meaningful conflict

  • Explore deeper layers of theme, subtext, and emotional payoff

  • Draft, revise, and polish a complete short story they can be proud of

Who it’s for:

This class is a perfect fit for:

  • High schoolers (typically ages 15–18) who are new to creative writing or looking to build a strong foundation

  • Teens who love stories and want to learn how to craft their own with confidence and clarity

  • Students ready to explore essential skills like character development, dialogue, plot structure, and revision

  • Writers who want encouraging, personalized feedback from a professional writing mentor

A great starting point for anyone excited to begin their storytelling journey or prepare for more advanced writing courses.

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:
What Makes a Story Work?
Students explore the essential elements of fiction—character, plot, setting, conflict, and theme—through short-form storytelling. They’ll learn what holds a story together and how to start building one from scratch.

Week two:
Writing Believable Characters
This week focuses on crafting characters with depth, flaws, and motivation. Students will write character introductions that reveal personality through action and detail.

Week three:
Plot Structure and Arcs
Students will study the classic five-part story arc and practice mapping stories they know. Then, they’ll write their own scenes that follow a clear rising structure.

Week four:
Dialogue vs. Description
We’ll explore the balance between what’s said and what’s seen—how dialogue shows relationships and description builds mood. Students will experiment with both styles and combine them effectively.

Week five:
Deep Dive into Point of View
This lesson unpacks first person, third person limited, and omniscient narration. Students will learn how POV changes what the reader sees—and how close they feel to the character.

Week six:
Story Beginnings That Hook
Students analyze powerful opening lines and practice different strategies for grabbing attention, raising questions, or setting tone right from the first sentence.

Week seven:
Conflict, Stakes, and Tension
Writers will explore different types of conflict and how they drive story momentum. They’ll write a scene where a character faces a meaningful challenge.

Week eight:
Theme and Subtext
This week focuses on the deeper “why” behind a story. Students will write with purpose, using action and tone to suggest theme without directly stating it.

Week nine:
Strong Endings
A great ending can make or break a story. Students will learn how to write satisfying conclusions that feel earned, surprising, or emotionally resonant.

Week ten:
Drafting a Full Short Story
Using what they’ve learned so far, students will outline and write the first draft of an original, complete short story with structure and emotion.

Week eleven:
Self-Revision Tools
This week focuses on revising with intention—not just fixing typos, but strengthening character, pacing, and voice. Students will revise their full stories with a checklist in hand.

Week twelve:
Final Story Submission
Writers will polish and submit their final short stories (800–1,000 words) along with a short reflection on what they’ve learned. It’s the perfect capstone to showcase their growth.

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 Beginner 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.