Chopped! The Writing Workshop

Inspired by the TV cooking game show Chopped, this generative writing workshop will present students with a “basket” of four “ingredients.” “Ingredients” will be drawn from these categories: situations, objects or places, restrictions (on form or style), and people or moods. During our writing time, each writer will not only include all four items but must “transform” them so that they work together organically. Writers will share from what they’ve written with the group, and feedback will focus on what’s fresh and engaging about each response. We’ll also examine the expectations each piece sets up for the reader to guide the writer for future revision. Unlike the TV show, no one will be eliminated from the workshop! This is a great exercise for rejuvenating writing morale, trying new things as a writer, and seeing how the same starting point can inspire a wild spectrum possibility. Presented by Jody Hobbs Hesler