● Available workshops
Summer 2026: Personal Storytelling
4 weeks
Wednesdays: July 29, Aug 5, Aug 12, Aug 19
6:30-7:30 P.M.
Everyone has stories worth telling. Want to get yours onto the page? Over four weeks, we'll practice the art of personal storytelling in a supportive, generative workshop environment limited to 12 students. Each session is built around free writing, readings from master writers for inspiration and insight, and creative exercises designed to help you discover your voice while strengthening both craft and confidence. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to share your writing for personalized feedback. Together, we'll explore four essential elements of compelling personal writing: observation, voice, place, and character.
You'll come away with pages of new writing, a stronger sense of your voice, thoughtful feedback, and practical tools to keep writing long after the workshop ends.
Meeting spot: 90th Street & 5th Avenue, entrance to Central Park known as Engineers' Gate, the Friedel Memorial Drinking Fountain
● Overview
What you’ll learn
Each week, students will free write, read and discuss the work of established writers, and respond to creative prompts to develop original pieces of their own. Together, we'll explore four themes that form the foundation of strong writing while building a supportive creative community.
4 Weeks
Wednesdays
Starts July 29
Observation
Great writing begins with paying attention. Students will explore observation, curiosity, and notebook-keeping while learning how writers transform everyday details into stories.
Voice
What makes writing distinctive? What makes it sound like you? Through reading and writing exercises, students will experiment with style, tone, and perspective as they begin to develop a stronger sense of voice.
Place
Writers are shaped by the places they inhabit. Students will explore how setting, sensory detail, and memory can bring a piece of writing to life.
Character
The people around us are often the source of our best stories. Students will practice writing vivid portraits, exploring relationships, and bringing characters to life on the page.
● About
Meet the Instructor
Jenna Shapiro
Jenna Shapiro is a New York–based writer. She holds a B.A. in English from Stanford University and an MFA in Creative Writing from NYU, where she taught as an Adjunct Instructor.
Previously, Jenna spent six years at Meta leading content strategy, brand voice, and narrative design—regularly presenting to the CMO. She has since led content strategy for consumer products, emerging technology, and financial services, and is currently a Senior Content Strategist at JPMorgan.
She has led creative writing workshops at Stanford, NYU, Girls Write Now, and Girls Inc. She’s passionate about helping students develop their voices and believes deeply in the lifelong value of storytelling, written communication, and self-expression.
Jenna has also designed and taught coursework on Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and considers writing to be an eighth habit.
Founding INSTRUCTOR● FAQ
Frequently asked questions
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We meet promptly at 6:30-7:30 P.M. at the Friedel Memorial Drinking Fountain, located at the Central Park entrance at East 90th & 5th Avenue. From there, the group will wander into the park.
If it’s raining, we’ll meet on Zoom (with Central Park backgrounds).
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Rising 9th, 10th, 11, and 12th graders.
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Nope! One of the purposes of this workshop is to expose young writers to the study and craft of creative writing, which isn’t always available in high school.
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Also nope! However, Jenna is happy to candidly answer any questions about her English major, MFA experience, and insights into the pursuit of writing.
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Zelle or Venmo are accepted.