Worlds of Words: the Fiction Edition

A fiction writing workshop just for teens

Are you a teenager who wants to write fiction?

In this workshop, a small group of teens aged 14-17 will meet for five sessions to explore the world of fiction. 

In our first class, each participant will brainstorm and then choose one central idea, and then we’ll build on that idea in each class through different aspects of fiction — character, setting, plot, theme. There will be optional creative exercises that can be done between classes or after the workshop ends.

The workshop will follow closely to the Firefly principle that “there is no way to do this wrong.” Participants will write and write and write, and through that, to trust their voices and create fictional worlds in new, brave ways.

By the end we’ll have finished, or close-to-finished stories, ready to share at our final soiree — an in-person reading for friends and family offered at St. Matthew’s Clubhouse.

    • Want to express themselves freely, without rules or inhibitions.

    • Are curious about all the things that made-up stories can be.

    • Are excited to work on the same project from session to session.

    • Are looking for new creative buddies.

    • Feel ready (though maybe a little scared) to share their writing in a group.

    • Thrive in small groups with lots of interaction — this class won’t have more than 8 participants.

    • Are excited to make new writing buddies.

    • Feel aligned with our fundamental beliefs.

    • Lots of new writing.

    • Writing peers whose work you are invested in.

    • A feeling of creative playfulness and possibility.

    • A fictional world you can access anytime.

    • New skills and understanding of the components of fiction — setting, character, plot, pacing.

    • Creative courage.

    • Critique or competition. We’re all about the love.

    • Strict rules on “how to write.” We’ll work on developing your writing skills but we don’t subscribe to the idea that there’s one way to create powerful work.

    • Help with grammar or spelling — we want to be with the love of words, not the rules.

    • Pressure to write things you don’t want to write. We go where the joy is.

Where we’ll be:

We will be at St. Matthew’s Clubhouse, located in Toronto at 450 Broadview Ave.

Details for Summer 2025:

In-person at St. Matthew’s Clubhouse (Toronto) with Asifa (she/her)

Monday August 18 to Friday August 22 , 1:30 – 4pm EST
Plus an in-person reading on Friday August 30, 7 – 8:30pm EST

Registration opens May 6th

Cost:

The fee for this workshop is $515. If you prefer, you can pay in 4 monthly installments of $128.75. Tax will be added for Canadians, in your local provincial rate. See our financial policies.

Four times a year, we give out bursaries for our programs to people with financial barriers. Check out our upcoming dates.

If you don’t have a credit card, let us know and we’ll gladly find a way to make it work.

Sign up here:

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What clients are saying…

  • Headshot of Ella

    Kim is amazing at making the space feel comfortable and warm, which is why I came to her workshop a second time. She is caring and genuine, and as a result many of us felt willing to share our work. I loved the plot and character exercises. The material translated very well online!

    Ella
    Artist