Welcome to 2008-2009 Creative Writing!
To begin the 2008 -2009 year, we have some historic firsts: first year with not one but two creative writing rooms; first year with two full time creative writing teachers; first year two majors classes will be offered during the same block; first year MS and HS will be separated. Challenges and opportunities abound with these changes. We look forward to undertaking this shake-down cruise with you.
Dear Parents: my email list is woefully full of errors, needs new parents added and graduated ones (or their children) left off. We'll get this updated as quickly as possible, but in the meantime, please check here for the latest.
New Creative Writing room, D207: we want to make this room as much a home for the students as our original room has been. To that end, we need donations of bean bags or other floor seating to make a relaxed reading area like the one on the balcony of A203. We'd also love a few plants. To make a donation contact Sara_Finnegan-Doyon@dpsk12.org
Telling Stories, a joint project of Instrumental Music and Creative Writing, is scheduled for performance October 10 at 7:00 p.m. This year's show will be a project of the afternoon intermediate/advanced writing and music classes and will feature words inspired by music and music inspired by words. This is also an important fundraiser for Creative Writing and we need parent volunteers to provide and sell refreshments and staff our publications sale table. Contact Pat_Dubrava@dpsk12.org if you can help.
Intermediate and Advanced writers completed and had their first contract plans approved by August 28, and have begun work on those assignments. They have received their first poem on the earth theme assignment, due September 2 and the first nine weeks story assignment, due October 8. Contracts are due at several dates throughout the semester: six weeks for Level 2, nine weeks for Levels 3 & 4, etc. Students are also deciding groups who wish to participate in the second annual music/spoken word performance by the first week in September. Summer project writings have been sent to a judge to be selected for inclusion in an anthology of movie writing, a fundraiser for our department. Look for it at the October 10 performance.
First Year students have also received several of their first assignments: a short story, a letter, a one-page character sketch, and a settings journal. The stories and letters are being worked on in class, but the settings journal must be done outside of class, since students have to write in 5 different indoor and 5 different outdoor locations, giving descriptions of each. Only one of each may be in their homes. All these assignments are due between the end of August and mid-September, with different dates for high school and middle school students.
The Creative Writing Class of 2008 has a link to their photos and writing at the bottom of this page, and will be replaced by the Class of 2009 by October 1, so check them out now.
Patricia Dubrava teaches advanced, senior seminar, first years and MS writing electives and Sara Finnegan-Doyon teaches intermediate/advanced and women's literature. Both have first block planning.
The Creative Writing program at Denver School of the Arts accomodates 6-12th grade student writers, chosen through an audition process. The department is designed for young people with a passion for Creative Writing. Students work to further their education and deepen their knowledge of themselves on paper.
An after school Writing Club sponsors "Calling Upon Calliope," a literary magazine of writing and visual arts from students at DSA and alumni. Writing Club members design, help to select work and produce the magazine.
Creative Writing is proud to keep in touch with its graduates. They attend fine schools throughout the United States from St. John's college to Annapolis, NYU and Oberlin. Some travel the world while others have become models, teachers, thespians and law students. The Creative Writing program builds a community of writers. They enhance the sense of language and the magic of words in each other. These connections remain well after graduation.
Creative Writing Links
~2008 Creative Writing Seniors Writing Samples and Photos - Kate Collopy, Sammie Clifford, Shiloh Drake, Andrew Doty, Paul Hamilton-Pennell Megan Ingraham, Kathryn Johnson, Marta Johnson, Ben Klibaner, Emily Lane, Zamara Loftis, Samantha Martin, Daria Reaven, Eve Sackett, Chandra Simpson, and Tessa Thomas
~Creative Writing Handbook
~2007 Summer Novel Group
~Jana Clark's Retirement
~Picture Book 2004