Creative Program for Aspiring Teen Writers Starts May 15-Preregister by May 13

ASHLAND, Mass. - May 3, 2013 - PRLog -- Creative Writing for Teens is a four-session, after-school program encouraging self-expression and creativity through writing.  Sessions will be held at 3:30-5:00 pm on Thursdays, May 15, 22, 29 and June 5 at the Ashland Public Library, 66 Front Street, Ashland, MA. The program will be limited to 10 participants. Preregistration is required by May 13. For more information and to register, contact Giulietta “Julie” Nardone at 508-380-8799 or giulietta@giuliettathemuse.com.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Ashland Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Each week, teens will write prose prompted by a variety of writing exercises. The atmosphere will be supportive, confidential, and inspiring. Tips and encouragement will be offered to students wishing to have their work published.

The instructor, Giulietta “Julie” Nardone, says, “Creative writing strengthens critical thinking abilities, problem solving skills and self-confidence.” She describes herself as a guide, rather than teacher: “I am here to encourage teens to dive into their imaginations and invite associations, ideas and feelings to come out and play.”

“The main purpose of the program,” Giulietta says, “will be to activate and listen to the creative voice that lives inside of us, the voice that often gets muffled on the path to adulthood, the voice that reveals our own truths and strengths. We all lose when our teens get divorced from their own creativity.”

According to Giulietta, “Creative writing opens teens’ minds to the possibilities life has to offer. It makes them feel more alive, connected to themselves and to others.”

Like many adults, Giulietta returned to writing after her teenage dream to be a published writer got sidetracked. Since then, her stories have been featured in The Boston Globe, The Christian Science Monitor, Skirt! Magazine, Underwired Magazine, Flashquake, and various books and broadcast on NPR.

In September 2011, she started The Off Center For Wild & Disobedient Creativity. It now connects 218 creative souls in the greater Ashland area.