Creative Writing at Phoenix House

Screenwriter Ron Osborn wrote “Meet Joe Black” and has Emmy nominations for “West Wing” and “Moonlighting.” He has been mentoring troubled youth through Create Now for three years. Ron’s Creative Writing Workshop at Phoenix House is popular with the teenage girls there who are dealing with substance abuse challenges. They meet every Monday from 3:30 to 5:00 pm.

During the week, the girls write stories, poems and essays based on assignments that Ron gives them, such as creating haikus, defining hope or thanking someone. The students take turns reading their work out loud, which builds literacy skills.

Ron shared short stories from the book “Somewhere to Turn” by Linda Courtland, which the girls loved. Create Now bought them all copies of the book as a gift. During the class, Ron reads one of the stories as the girls follow along with their book. This enhances their vocabulary and pronunciation, while exposing them to the freedom of self-expression through creative writing.

“This workshop has put me in touch with the raw creativity that’s hidden behind their various issues,” Ron said. “I probably learn as much as they do by trying to tap into those things in myself that I can bring out in them.”   
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                     Published in Gemini Magazine
                     
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