Writers Block

 

Writers Block is a fun and supportive place for reluctant writers and passionate storytellers to explore their writing among a group of peers in a free afterschool program designed for ages 7 - 18. We host three weekly sessions focused both by age and interest. The mix of structured and unstructured writing time lets students explore and practice elements of the craft, whether fiction, essay, poetry, or visual storytelling. As in all our programs, we encourage students to share their work. Writers Block is open to those new to The Telling Room as well as experienced writing veterans. Please read each description below carefully to determine which group will be the best fit for you or your student.

REGISTRATION LOTTERY IS NOW OPEN!

Enter Word Play Registration Lottery
Enter Story Sleuths Registration Lottery
Enter Works-in-Progress Registration Lottery

Any students not admitted to the Winter semester program via the lottery will be given priority registration for Fall Semester 2025. The registration lottery for the Winter 2025 semester will be open until January 12th, 2025.

Word Play: Ages 7 - 10 (Meets on Mondays from 3:30pm - 5:30pm)

Word Play is a fun and creative exploration of writing and storytelling. We use a number of generative exercises to find inspiration in play, art, our imaginations, and the world around us. Students write, draw, act, and share their work aloud.

Led by :

 
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Amy Kimball

Amy Kimball thinks having fun is of the utmost importance. Being a Teaching Artist with The Telling Room is the perfect job because it’s fun and challenging every day–meeting writers where they are and working with them to develop their craft. What could be better? Amy is a poet and memoirist with a masters in education.

 

Story Sleuths: Ages: 10 - 14 (Meets on Mondays from 3:30pm - 5:30pm)

Story Sleuths is designed for students who are looking for various creative ways into the writing process. During the first few sessions, we dive into different generative exercises finding inspiration through play, our imaginations, and the world around us. Our investigations might take us for walks around the wharves or a trip to an art gallery. One year students even interviewed strangers for a podcast! During the second half of the program, students pick one of their story starts and work towards a polished piece.

Led by:

 
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Hipai Pamba

Teaching Artist Marlin Hipai Pamba is a Telling Room alum of the Young Writers & Leaders program from 2016-17, as well as Publishing Workshop. She interned with AmeriCorps from 2018-20 here at The Telling Room. Her love of working with students and creative writing keeps her involved. She is currently pursuing a degree in education at Southern Maine Community College. Working out, podcasts, and traveling are high on the list of ways she enjoys spending her time.

 

Works in Progress: Ages 12 - 18 (Meets on Wednesdays from 3:30pm - 5:30pm)

Works in Progress is designed for students working on a specific long-term writing project for which they'd like inspiration, creative space, and feedback. Using a workshop model, students share their work with peers and learn how to give and receive feedback. This is an open and supportive writing community for the first-time writer or the experienced veteran. Students will be expected to do outside reading.

Led by:

 
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Jack Gendron

Teaching Artist & Volunteer Coordinator Jack Gendron (he/she/they) grew up in South Portland and served as Preble Street's volunteer program manager before joining the Telling Room. Jack holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Syracuse and is the author of two poetry collections; their work has appeared in Tin House, Fence, The PEN Poetry Series, and elsewhere (mostly elsewhere). Jack enjoys the smell of almost all baked goods, the look of a dog wearing sunglasses, and the audible gasp of a net when a basketball passes through it.

 

WHO: Writers Block is open to students ages 7 - 18. Each semester is filled with a lottery system. Any student placed on a waitlist will get priority registration for the following semester.

WHERE: Writers Block takes place at The Telling Room, located at 225 Commercial Street, Suite 201 (second floor) in Portland, ME.


WHEN: Writers Block is a semester program, and all sessions take place after school from 3:30pm - 5:30pm. Winter semester of Writers Block will meet Monday/Wednesday afternoons, January 27th - April 9th, 2025. The winter semester lottery will remain open until Sunday, January 12th. Later that week, you will be notified of acceptance. Any students not admitted to the Fall semester program via the lottery will be given priority registration for Fall Semester 2025.

Word Play meets Monday afternoons from 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Story Sleuths meets Monday afternoons from 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Works in Progress meets on Wednesday afternoons from 3:30pm - 5:30pm

COST: Free! Please consider donating to help keep this unique afterschool literary arts program free for all students.

CONTACT: Any questions regarding Writers Block can be directed to Marjolaine at marjolaine@tellingroom.org.

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