Do You Have The Write Stuff?

Last fall semester, a program was established called The Write Stuff, which is a volunteer program that allows college students to help middle school students improve their creative writing.

The Write Stuff is a program that was established by Inkberry in collaboration with the College’s Center for Service and North Adams Public Schools. Inkberry’s writer in residence, Curtis Asch, is the teacher for the program.

The first volunteer for the program was sophomore, Jason Kaufman. He has been a main part of the program since. Currently, the program has three volunteers; Kaufman, Sarah Maust and Rob Donovan, but is looking to expand and hopes to have ten volunteers for next semester.

“The program initially started as an after school program,” Kaufman said, “But the second semester it was made into an in class program, and they called the class ‘The Write Stuff.’”

The Write Stuff Program has two classes, one for sixth graders and another for seventh graders and the classes consist of about ten students each. The class is like any other course and students receive a grade at the end of the term. Kaufman is hoping to have the students take a field trip this semester to the College to sit in an Experiencing Creative Writing course.

Classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday consist of a creative writing workshop, which is led by Curtis Asch. Volunteers help the students one on one with grammar and improving their creative writing. Classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays are a reading circle and these workshops are led by the volunteers. On occasion volunteers will also lead their own creative writing workshops.

The Write Stuff Program even has an internship, and last year, Kaufman was awarded the internship. Kaufman explained that it was a three credit internship, and you had to write two papers while going to the class every day.

On Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. at the Kids Space at Mass Moca, the Write Stuff students will be reading their creative writing. This is the second reading held for the Write Stuff students, last year they read their scary stories at the North Adams Library, and the Main Street Stage.

For more information on The Write Stuff you can contact Jason Kaufman: jk2543@mcla.edu. Or you can go online to www.facebook.com where Kaufman has established a group, The Write Stuff.