Volunteer

Listening to our child talk about what happens in the class and how everyone is clearly part of a family, a team that supports each other's growth, makes our heart smile.

We are so grateful that we found Uptown Stories! It's a wonderful place for young writers to explore their craft in our neighborhood.

I think Sofia's writing has become clearer, stronger and more sophisticated, both in what she's written for the writing class, and what she's written for school assignments. Uptown Stories has helped her tune in to her writing in a way she was not doing before.

I am now more motivated to finish what I'm writing.

Our daughter’s writing has improved in that it now includes more descriptive sentences which flow really well. Her story written in class was very descriptive with many details and very easy to follow.

We did a game where we wrote something on a piece of paper and passed it around so that the others could add onto it.  That was my favorite thing we did at Uptown Stories, because we ended up with a funny story at the end.

Top notch. The writing assignments are thoughtful, thought-provoking and age appropriate.

On a scale of one to ten I would put a ten!

The quality of teaching is superb. The teachers have the chance to get to know each child, and, due to the small class size, the feedback is very specific. Also, witnessing the other children critique the writing is remarkable - the children are kind and respectful, but very honest. This format that no doubt aids the children in their confidence and skills as writers.

Now I understand what an author goes through. Before I always wondered how an author could write something so amazing and now I know the process!

I love the teaching style, because it allows the student to dig into what they may be having trouble reaching by themselves. I believe that 'less is more' is the way to go, but as an effective teaching technique it’s not easy to achieve.

Uptown Stories definitely helped me grow as a writer: I now add details without thinking twice and know what I struggle in as well as what my stronghold is. Being in an environment that I feel comfortable about sharing my writing in has also helped.

He spends time now writing his own stories down. Even when class is not in session!

This workshop really helped my writing, because my teachers and peers pointed out some habits that I have that can be changed for next time.

Thank you for providing such a creative, nurturing haven for budding writers! In this age of tweets, texts, and fast communication, it is wonderful that our children have the opportunity to stop, think, and write.

The intimate roundtable atmosphere really works for me.

Our daughter is much more excited about sharing her work and is willing to make changes to see what happens. She is not just automatically wed to the first way it comes out; instead, she has a much more serious commitment to the process and her standards are much higher.

I have been part of  Uptown Stories for a while and I am very proud of how it has grown, helping many young aspiring writers like myself.

As far as I can tell, the quality of teaching is superb. While I can't describe exactly what goes on in the classes, I don't think I need to either. The effect the classes have had on our son speaks for itself and the readings are the icing on the cake. It’s part of being a writer, after all, which means they are able to exercise skills that they will need to develop

Before Uptown Stories, I thought writing was a way to express your ideas, but now I realize that writing is more of a trait that everyone can use to create awesome things.

There seems to be a sense of community that has developed, even with the differences in gender, age and interests.

I loved being able to share stories and give feedback to everyone.

I think my daughter has a greater appreciation for the process of writing, rather than just wanting to finish something so it's done and can be turned in. She takes great pride in what she's written and I think the creative process that has been encouraged in the class has helped her open up as a person. She is starting to recognize the importance of being able to write and the value of being able to write well.

It helped me grow as a writer, because I was able to read my work to an audience and see firsthand how they felt about it.

Our daughter has become more aware of what a writer wants to convey in a story when she reads, because of her new understanding of who writers are. She pays attention to what the writer wants the readers to get from a story and how they use different techniques to accomplish their goal, many of them similar to the ones she is learning herself at Uptown Stories.

I used to write in a disorganized manner whenever I felt like it. The class gave me a push to actually finish things or at least think about them in a different light.

My child is more eager to write, it’s not just a chore anymore.

The thing I love about our teachers is that they aren’t like teachers at school; they really relate to what we say and understand us not only as students but as writers and people.

Uptown Stories offers a stimulating and encouraging refuge and outlet for her students. The weekly assignments offer different approaches for my son to consider how to tell his stories and how to develop his characters. They also offer insights into their own creative process while also providing ways for him to learn about the structure and forms that contribute to storytelling.

It's an outlet for a lot of feelings I don't really have anywhere to express otherwise. It feels like a private space for me that I only I can really understand--no one other than me really knows what I mean in what I write. Writing helps me express to other people feelings I wouldn't know how to tell in another manner.