
Every great story starts somewhere — and this workshop is where yours begins.
Starts Thu, Jun 18
4:00 PM UTC · 1h
4 sessions

Rita
4.5
Build three-dimensional characters with compelling backstories, clear motivations, and believable flaws
Construct plots using the full narrative arc — exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution — plus devices like foreshadowing and suspense
Write vivid settings that use sensory details and descriptive language to establish mood and pull readers in
Craft dialogue that sounds natural, reveals character, and moves the story forward
Identify and develop your unique writing voice across multiple genres, including fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and scriptwriting
Use figurative language — metaphors, similes, personification — to create original imagery and avoid clichés
Apply self-editing and revision strategies to strengthen structure, pacing, clarity, and style
Give and receive constructive peer feedback to sharpen your work and support other writers

Rita Goodroe is an award winning coach, community builder, teacher, and keynote speaker on topics from creative writing and public speaking to marketing and entrepreneurship. Using humor and storytelling to break tough topics down into practical, easily implementable actions, Rita is a sought after motivator and community builder for organizations on the Fortune 500 like Kellogg's, associations and organizations like Women in Insurance and Financial Services and the National Concierge Association, and students of all ages. Featured in The Washington Post and seen on NBC, CBS, and Great Day Washington, Rita's strategies and thought leadership earned her the Change-Maker award by the United State of Women Summit. She credits her growth mindset and love of learning with providing her a wide array of exciting opportunities, and thrives on helping learners discover that same potential in themselves.
Every great story starts somewhere — and this workshop is where yours begins. The Creative Writing Workshop is a hands-on course for high school students who want to write fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, scripts, and more with real skill and confidence. You'll build fully realized characters, map out plots that grip readers from the first page to the last, and develop a distinctive voice that's unmistakably yours. Along the way, you'll write, share, get feedback, and revise — because that's how writers actually grow. Whether you're a first-time storyteller or someone with notebooks full of ideas waiting to be shaped, this workshop gives you the tools, techniques, and community to make your writing come alive.
Live Q&A
Cameras / mics optional
Recordings
Available within 1 hour, kept 90 days
Materials
No special materials required
free with a Varsity Tutors membership
11
DAYS09
HRS03
MINThu, Jun 18 • 4:00pm UTC
Starts in 11 days
Mon, Aug 10 • 10:00pm UTC
Starts in 64 days
Creative Writing Workshop