Creative Writing

Developed by professional writers, the Residential High School Creative Writing program provides a challenging, yet rewarding, experience that fosters talent and skill development. 

During their two years in the Creative Writing program, students spend time in small, collaborative sessions where they are constantly reading, writing, editing, and critiquing works under the guidance of practicing writers/mentors.
THE CREATIVE WRITING CURRICULUM IS DIVIDED INTO NINE-WEEK SESSIONS, EACH FOCUSING ON ONE OF THE PRIMARY GENRES—CREATIVE NONFICTION, FICTION, AND POETRY. STUDENTS ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN ALTERNATIVE GENRES, INCLUDING SCIENCE FICTION, FLASH FICTION AND CHAPBOOKS.
By the end of their senior year, our writers have in-depth knowledge and experience with writing in these genres, editing and critiquing others' and their own work, and reading in front of an audience. They will also have a writing portfolio they can use for college writing programs or for their future careers.

 In the Creative Writing program, you learn all of the basics and core components of this art form while collaborating with your mentors and peers to make your work the best it can be. 
- MARY-BRYANT CHARLES, CLASS OF 2017

• Guest Artist Events: Several times a semester, students have the opportunity to meet nationally known writers and discuss their works and writing process. Authors have included an Oscar winner, a Tony winner, a National Book Award winner, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and U.S. Poet Laureates. 
 
   
• Public Readings: Students give two formal public readings a year. They also have the opportunity to read their works during community open-mic nights at M. Judson Booksellers in downtown Greenville.
 
   
• Editorial Experience: Each year, seniors are presented with the opportunity to be an editor for Litmus, the literary journal from the Governor's school now in it's 24th year of publication. This is an entirely student-run journal, with oversight and guidance from a faculty member. Students collaborate with the Visual Arts department to form a unique literary artifact. 
   
• Submission Experience: Student have the opportunity submit their work to a variety of state, regional and national competitions for additional critique, publication, and awards.

• Every year, Creative Writing students receive recognition in the regional and national Scholastic Writing Awards competition. Thirteen students have received $10,000 Portfolio Awards in the national competition.
 
   
• Nine writers have been named U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, an annual honor bestowed on only 20 high school seniors nationally.
 
   
• In the past decade, 32 Governor’s School writers were recognized as YoungArts National Finalists.

   
• Our writers have received prestigious scholarships including YoungArts Lin Arison Excellence in Writing Award and the Thomas Wolfe Scholarship from UNC.

As a YoungArts finalist, I traveled to Miami for YoungArts Week and received a scholarship of $50,000. Then, I was selected as a US Presidential Scholar in the Arts, which allowed me to read my work at the Kennedy Center and visit the White House. The things I learned in the Creative Writing program unlocked the door to so many opportunities for me.
- AIDEN FORSTER, CLASS OF 2018