Classes & Activities
Drama Time KC Acting Club
Join us at the Southeast library as we partner with our friends from Drama Time KC to work on an adapted script of "Annie" called "Annie on the Vine". Learn the basics of theater, story telling, and public speaking. This is a 10 week session. Saturdays, Sept. 30th-Dec. 2nd. Open to youth of all ages!
Drama Time KC Acting Club
Join us at the Bluford library as we partner with our friends from Drama Time KC to work on an adapted script of "Annie" called "Annie on the Vine". Learn the basics of theater, story telling, and public speaking. This is a 10 week session. Saturdays, Sept. 30th-Dec. 2nd. Open to youth of all ages!
Beginning A Novel
Have an idea you’re dying to write as a novel? A killer thriller, a steamy romance, or cozy mystery? Novels are one of the most versatile art forms for good reason: they can take almost any shape, genre, or size. But that presents a problem: how do you begin one? In this class we’ll dive into the preparatory work of novel writing. Participants will leave this class with a greater understanding of the novel form, and a game plan for tackling their creative masterpiece.
We’ll cover subjects such as:
• Is my idea a novel or a short story?
• Antagonists and protagonists, sidekicks and mentors.
• Brainstorming and exercises to prime your creativity.
• Plus the most important part of writing a novel, regardless of genre.
This class is taught by a graduate student in the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s MFA Program in Creative Writing.
The Music Lover’s Fiction Writing Class
: Listening to music can be a great source of inspiration for writers as they work to develop new characters and plots. In this class, read examples of how song lyrics and emotions in music have aided authors like Marissa Meyer and F. Scott Fitzgerald in developing their stories. Choose a few songs to inspire a new story.
This class is taught by a graduate student in the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s MFA Program in Creative Writing.
Cover Letters: Writing Your Way Into a New Job or Apartment
The cover letter is a cornerstone of any good job application, and it can also help you stand out as a tenant when searching for housing. Well-written cover letters give applicants a leg up and improve their chances of securing dream jobs and apartments. This class will focus on strategies for crafting standout cover letters for employment and housing that are clear and concise, with special attention paid to conveying difficult information (an employment gap or criminal background, for example). Students will be given time to write and share outlines for their own cover letters, and they will come away from the class with strategies to improve upon and perfect them.
This class is taught by a graduate student in the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s MFA Program in Creative Writing.
The 6242 Talking Club
Join us at the Southeast Branch every 2nd Saturday for The 6242 Talking Club. A monthly open discussion with no set agenda - the conversation will flow where the attendees guide it. The program will be facilitated by Maxi Moody. Limited seating is available. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, please contact Maxi at maximoody@kclibrary.org or 816.701.3657.
Writing for Social Media
Many people use social media, but do they communicate? If you’d like to learn how to write effective copy for your online business, thoughtfully engage other viewpoints online, or simply spice up your Facebook feed, this class is for you. You’ll learn how to make your posts and products stand out from the noise.
We’ll cover important aspects of writing for social media and online platforms, such as:
• Finding the right voice.
• Getting to know your audience.
• What not to say.
• Persuasion vs. argument.
• Using social media to sell.
This class is taught by a graduate student in the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s MFA Program in Creative Writing.
Let's Talk: Senior Conversations
Join us in the 3North space at the Central Branch every 2nd Tuesday for Let's Talk: Senior Conversations. We will be discussing current events, legacy, favorite things, what's on your mind, and more! The conversation will be guided by Mary Roberson, Senior Programming. For more information, please contact Mary Roberson at 816.701.3671 or use this form.
Fiction Fast: Writing 1000-Word Stories
In this course, learn how to write a complete story in under 1000 words. Study examples of flash fiction with pieces such as “Sticks” by George Saunders, that use the elements of brevity, plot, and surprise unique to short-form writing to engage and excite the reader. Take class time to emulate these tactics in your own very short story.
This class is taught by a graduate student in the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s MFA Program in Creative Writing.