Grades 4-7: Brief Encounters: Writing Short Stories
Every story starts with an idea. What happens next is up to you.
Join us at Calliope Stage for Brief Encounters: Writing Short Stories, a FREE creative writing workshop for students in grades 4–7 led by WCU teaching artist Maddie.
In this 90-minute workshop, young writers will explore the building blocks of short-story writing by choosing a theme, inventing one to three characters, and imagining an adventure for those characters to experience. Step by step, participants will bring those pieces together into an original short story of their own.
Along the way, they’ll discover how writers turn imagination into narrative by making choices about character, action, conflict, and what happens next.
Creative writing is also a powerful part of the performing arts. Before a story can become a play, film, musical, or performance, someone has to imagine the world, the characters, and the journey. This workshop gives young storytellers a chance to practice exactly that.
No previous writing experience is required. Whether your child fills notebooks with stories or is just beginning to discover a love of writing, they’re welcome to come create with us.
📅 Wednesday, November 11, 2026
🏫 No School for JCPS
⏰ 3:00–4:30 PM
✏️ Grades 4–7
📍 Calliope Stage | Downtown Sylva
💛 FREE to attend; donations are welcome
Space is limited, and advance registration is encouraged.
Register and learn more:
https://cue.circleupapp.co/org/calliope-stage
Brief Encounters: Writing Short Stories is part of Calliope Stage’s series of 9 FREE community pop-up arts workshops developed and led by students from Western Carolina University’s School of Stage & Screen as part of their arts education coursework.
Where is it happening?
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