Once Upon a Pen

Throughout the 1930s, 40s, and well into the ’50s,  J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis would meet every week with various other male friends and colleagues for an informal club they dubbed “The Inklings.” With pipes and hot tea in hand, the men would relax in Lewis’s apartment on the Oxford University campus for fellowship and stimulating discussion.  At some point in the evening, Lewis would say, “Well, has nobody got anything to read us?” And then the unfinished manuscripts would come out—perhaps a poem or a story or even a chapter of a book.  Their authors would read some of what they had been working on, and then the group would discuss the piece, lavishing on it both praise and criticism.

Through The Inklings, both Tolkien and Lewis came to write some of the most important, most beloved literature in the world—The Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia, as well as other works.  Now you have the opportunity to walk in the path of these literary lights and to grow as a writer the way they did.  Welcome to Inklings Too! 

Purpose:  Inklings Too seeks to provide a comfortable but meaningful way for Christian teens to be part of a group that shares their worldview, their love of creative writing, and their desire for a like-minded community that will support their ambitions.  

Where:  Zoom platform

Who:  Christian teens of all skill levels, ages 13-18 (Grades and ages do not need to be revealed to the group.) Potential members should consider themselves serious writers who want to improve their skills, possibly with the goal of writing for publication. 

Group size:  3-8 members

When:  This is a seasonal course that renews for the next season as long as there is sufficient interest.

• Students will commit to only one season at a time.
• Each season is 3 months and includes 6 meetings.
• Classes are typically held on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesdays of each month @ 7:00-8:30/9:00 p.m. Central time (1 1/2 – 2 hours). 
• Want to sample a meeting or join mid-season? Unless the group is full, that’s no problem; just contact me to set it up.
• This class is informal with no homework, but your student’s attendance is vital for the group’s success.  When students are absent, they are missed, and the overall group dynamic is impacted. For this reason, students should not register if they cannot commit to attending at least most of the meetings.

Cost:  $50/season, due one week before the next season begins.  A deduction of $8.00/class may be deducted for pre-planned absences. No refunds will be given for absences once the season has begun. 

Registration process: Usually I provide a registration form here; however, the class is currently at capacity. Please contact me if you would like to be added to a waitlist for the next season.

NOTE: The form only needs to be filled out once for the first season a student attends.  For additional seasons, the payment and its receipt will count as the next season’s registration.  After you submit your registration form, I will email you an invoice within two business days, which will contain payment instructions. Please reach out to me if you don’t receive one. 

GENERAL MEETING STRUCTURE
Part 1 (5-10 minutes) 30-45 minutes):  icebreaker, chatting, socializing

Part 2 (30-45 minutes):  critique time– Those ready for critical feedback will have a set number of minutes to read their work aloud to the group and to receive constructive feedback. Members who want to experience an audience but are not yet ready for feedback may also choose to simply read their work without receiving a critique.

Part 3 (10-20 minutes): class time — This part of our meetings varies a lot, depending on how many students want to receive critiques on their work. The “class” portion of our meetings typically includes a lecture about writing or publication, a creative writing game, or a journal exercise. Members will be expected to share group activity work with the other members, but no one will be expected to share private work until he/she feels ready.

Part 4 (remaining time):  additional critique time

** Members may share anything, whether prose or poetry, as long as it does not violate the content decency rules listed below. These rules are based on orthodox, traditional Christian values.

Content Decency Rules

Students may write whatever they like; however, selections they share with the group for critiques may not include any of the following types of content. Students in doubt may send me their selection for pre-approval:
* vulgar language (swearing, blasphemy, crude jokes, mockery, etc.)
* sexual activity or speech (Light romance is okay.)
* anti-Christian ideas and mockery/vitriol against any group (Note:  A character may express such ideas, but the story may not promote them. In addition, critique selections should not single out any branch or denomination of Christianity for criticism. )
*untraditional gender identity references, actions, and ideas (whether positive, neutral, or negative)
* horror — both violent and occult (Scary and suspenseful is okay; slashers and demons are not.)
* gratuitous and/or graphic animal and child abuse
* gruesome violence