2200 Colonial Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23517
From first stories to publication opportunities, The Muse Writers Center helps young writers discover their voice! We offer creative writing classes, camps, workshops, activities, and teen leadership opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school students. Learn more and register here.
Explore fiction, poetry, comics, songwriting, screenwriting, dramatic writing, college essay workshops, and more in a supportive community of young writers. Come meet your muse!
Register for Summer Programs at The Muse!
Strength, healing, growth, and change flourish when writing meets community and inspiration. The Muse offers writing classes, camps, and community events that encourage young writers to explore and develop their unique voices, improve their craft, and pursue professional opportunities in the literary world. Come meet your muse at The Muse Writers Center! Learn more and register here.
Summer Camps
(Light snacks provided. Tuition Assistance Available.)
Creative Writing Summer Camp: Elementary School (age 8-10)
The Muse Elementary School Summer Camp is a great opportunity for young creative writers to have fun with words–both out loud and on paper. During each day of this afternoon camp, we’ll explore a different type of creative writing and expression.
We’ll explore poetry, fiction, writing and illustrating comic books, developing RPG’s and more! Open to elementary school writers of all levels and experience. Mondays, Jul 27 - Jul 31, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Learn more and register here.
Creative Writing Summer Camp: Middle School (age 11-14)
The Muse Middle School Summer Camp is a great opportunity for young creative writers to have fun with words–both out loud and on paper. During each day of this afternoon camp, we’ll explore a different type of creative writing and expression.
We’ll explore poetry, fiction, writing and illustrating comic books, songwriting, and more. At The Muse, creative tweens and teens learn to express themselves in a guided, friendly, and supportive environment! Open to elementary school writers of all levels and experience. Mondays, Jul 27 - Jul 31, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Learn more and register here.
How To Write Scripts: Teen Dramatic Writing Camp (age 12-17)
Learn the art of dramatic writing: plays, movies, and TV shows! This 3-day intensive focuses on writing for the stage and screen, with an emphasis on dialogue and narrative structure. Students will create their own scene!
The camp will culminate in a public staged reading featuring scenes from students’ plays and screenplays on July 17, from 4-5:30 PM. Learn more and register here.
Creative Writing Explorations Classes
(Light snacks provided.)
The Muse understands the value of accessibility. Our youth classes are “Pay What You Can”, meaning you name the price you can afford, as high or low as it may be, no questions asked.
Creative Writing for Young Writers (Elementary/Middle School, age 8-12)
Creative Writing for Young Writers explores the fundamentals of creative writing and encourages each student to find their individual writing voice, no matter the genre (poetry, fiction, comics, songwriting, and screenwriting). Students will explore their creative expression through unique writing prompts, discussion exercises, and opportunities to share and discuss their work. Popular topics include Slaying the Villain, Where a Story Starts, songwriting, Duo Poetry, and screenwriting!
The final class culminates in a live reading which friends and family are invited to attend. The final class is a joint reading with the high school class on August 15, from 10:00 am-12:30 PM. Learn more and register here.
Creative Writing Exploration for Teens (age 13-17)
Creative Writing for Teens encourages students to expand their creative writing by challenging them to elevate their creative voices with new writing techniques.
During class, students learn literary craft techniques through lecture, discussion exercises, and writing prompts. Popular topics include villain archetypes, magic system basics, how to write a fight scene, poetry, screenwriting, and more!
At the end of class, students are given time to write and share their work. Our final class on, August 15, is a student reading where family and friends are invited to attend, from 10:00 am-12:30 PM.
This is a hybrid class, meaning students can join online or in-person. The final class reading is in-person only. Learn more and register here.
Teen Workshops
(Tuition Assistance Available)
Writing College Application Essay Prep Course & Review Session
Join this interactive workshop to learn how to write powerful application essays. We’ll discuss what a college essay is, how to target it to the program you’re applying to, and writing tips and strategies to help you write one effectively.
Session 1 is dedicated to understanding what makes an application essay successful. Session 2 is dedicated to workshopping drafts of student essays. This workshop is open to writers of all levels pursuing any discipline or degree. Dates: June 20, June 27, 2026. Learn more and register here.
Writing College Application Essay Single Review Session
Take your college application essay to the next level with The Muse! Get actionable advice on a working draft of your college essay by workshopping completed drafts to make sure you have relevant content, a compelling hook, effective narrative, and strong, concise writing!
Participants are expected to bring a completed draft of their essay and participate in the workshop. Date: August 5. Learn more and register here.
