Welcome to the
D.C. Creative Writing Workshop
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To see the latest student work, click on the Write Alright logo below.

We would like to thank Andrew Evans, Writer-in-Residence,
for creating the student blog.

 

Spotlight on Writer-in-Residence, Venus Thrash!

1 . Who was a mentor to you or motivated you to write?
Venus: I never aspired to be an English teacher or creative writing instructor. But now that I am doing both, I shouldn't be too surprised because my English teachers were always so instrumental in my academic success. Throughout elementary, high school, and college, my English teachers were always encouraging my interest in writing poetry and fiction. I am both writer and teacher mainly because of them.

2. What advice do you have for a young aspiring writer?
Venus: Keep writing. Keep reading. The best writers are usually well-read. Be passionate. Be authentic. Be true.

3. What is one of your favorite lines of poetry and why?
Venus: There's not just one favorite. I hate to leave out some of the best poets and poems I've ever read. So much of my life has revolved around and evolved because of poetry. One of my most-oft quoted lines is from the poem "Power" by Audre Lorde. "The difference between poetry and rhetoric is being ready to kill yourself instead of your children."

4 . What are you currently working on?
Venus: I have completed my poetry manuscript, "Womanology" and I am about seven or eight stories into a short story collection tentatively entitled, "Soul of a Man."

5. How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing?
Venus: My upbringing seems such a small segment of my life and not very much of it finds its way into my writing. But when it does, it's usually about the summers I spent in the country running barefoot on dirt roads at my Grandmother's house.

6 . Where do you see yourself in 15 years?
Venus: In fifteen years I will have written and published at least three literary novels, a poetry book or two, and a collection of essays.

 

Poetry Reading and Publication Release at Karibu Books

December 11, 2007 - DCCWW students celebrated the release of the school years first literary magazine, hArtworks, with a poetry reading and book signing at Karibu Books in Prince George's Mall. The reading featured work from our Simon Elementary, Hart Middle, and Ballou High School students, as well as our students attending local charter schools. For more information about the event, to purchase your copy of the Winter 2007 hArtworks, or to schedule a poetry reading for your organization, call Artistic Director, Nancy Schwalb at (202) 445-4280.

 

High School students SCORE big at Poetry Slam

James Tindle reads to the packed crowd at Gallaudet University. Photo Courtesy of Paul Morigi

November 28 & 29, 2007 - Students Monae Smith, James Tindle, Damon Kee, Nichell Kee, and Maryum Abdullah entertained the audience with their sharp words at the 10th Annual Golden Mic Poetry Slam hosted by DC SCORES at Gallaudet University. DC SCORES is a non-profit organization which empowers students in urban communities using soccer, writing, creative expression, and service-learning. With teamwork as the unifying value, DC SCORES inspires youth to lead healthy lifestyles, be engaged students, and become agents of change in their communities. The DCCWW students read their original poetry, which was written during our afterschool program at Hart Middle School. The high school students will now have the opportunity to write two days per week at our new afterschool program located within Ballou High School.

 

Ballou Students perform at Afterschool Alliance Fundraiser

November 16, 2007 - With keynote speaker, and Washington Post writer, Dana Milbank bringing attention and humor to the topic of afterschool programs helping students achieve, DCCWW poets represented this sentiment first-hand with their amazing poetry at the House of Sweden in Georgetown for a captivated audience. The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of afterschool programs and advocating for quality, affordable programs for all children. It is supported by a group of public, private and nonprofit organizations that share the Alliance's vision of ensuring that all children have access to afterschool programs by 2010. We thank the Afterschool Alliance and Executive Director Jodi Grant for recognizing the work of our students.

 

Young Poets Impress Audience at Brasserie Beck!

October 30, 2007- Friends, both old and new, of the D.C. Creative Writing Workshop filled the room Tuesday evening at Brasserie Beck for a wonderful occasion. The students; Nefertearia Crawley, Damon Kee, James Saunders, Montel Brooks, Nichell Kee, Kiana Murphy, and Walter Jones put on an amazing show of inspiring, new poetry for the audience of supporters. Brasserie Beck, one of the hottest new restaurants in D.C., graciously hosted our first poetry reading of the year for our award-winning students. We look forward to going back to Beck in the future!

Nefertearia Crawley at Brasserie Beck

 

Welcome to a New School Year!

October 1, 2007 - With the new school year have come new students, excited teachers, and lots of great ideas! Please check out our website regularly to find out how our young poets are doing as they learn exciting new writing techniques from our talented group of writers. If you would like to come by to see the students in action, click here for the DCPS School calendar for 2007-2008. Our workshops take place each Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday that DCPS students are in school. We will have spotlights on students from Simon, Hart, and Ballou who are participating in our afterschool and in-class programs. To learn about this years Writers-in-Residence and Program Assitants, click to meet our new staff!

 

Our Checking. Your Cause.

August 6, 2007 - SunTrust has made community involvement an important part of the relationships they have in the communities in which they serve. Now, as part of their commitment, Suntrust is offering a special opportunity that can help you help your community and our organization.

SunTrust will donate $100 to the D.C. Creative Writing Workshop when you:
Open a new Personal or Business checking account from August 6 through March 29, 2008, and accept a new SunTrust Visa Check Card and make any purchase using your new card by May 15, 2008, and complete and submit a redemption form by May 15, 2008 identifying DCCWW as your charity of choice. Please visit www.suntrust.com for more information about the promotion.

 

D.C. Creative Writing Workshop has new CFCNCA Number.

July 31, 2007 - The Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area has announced a new 5-digit numbering system for non-profit organizations that have been selected to participate in its workplace Charitable Giving program. The new number for DCCWW is 70375. Please pass this information along to any government employee who might be interested in supporting the D.C. Creative Writing Workshop!