Creative Writing

Young writers learn the value of craft and sound writing techniques from experienced, published authors.

Developed by professional writers, the Creative Writing program is intensive and highly challenging to ensure talent development and productivity. During their two years in the Creative Writing program, students create short stories, poems, personal essays, and movie scripts.

The program attracts talented young writers in South Carolina by offering a creative, supportive atmosphere and a course of study supervised by practicing, published writers. 

Creative Nonfiction  |  Fiction  |  Poetry  |  Screenwriting
 

Creative Writing students spend their time in small, collaborative sessions where they are constantly reading, writing, editing, and critiquing works under the guidance of practicing writers/mentors. Several times during the school year, students have the opportunity to meet with nationally-known, visiting writers.

Creative writers give two public readings a year and submit their work to a variety of state, regional and national competitions for additional critique, publication, and awards.

Guest artists in the Creative Writing department have included an Oscar winner, a Tony winner, a National Book Award winner, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and U.S. Poet Laureates. 

Student Achievements

• 13 students have received $10,000 Portfolio Awards in the national Scholastic Writing Competition.
• 9 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.
• Governor’s School students have received prestigious scholarships including YoungArts Lin Arison Excellence in Writing Award and the Thomas Wolfe Scholarship from UNC.

Dear Young Artist: A Letter from a Govie Creative Writer

Award-Winning Student Works

• "Six Feet Under Silence," by Camryn Hambrick, American Voices Medal, Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (2020)

• "For XYZ Institution", by Tyler Kellog, Gold Medal Portfolio Award, Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (2021)

• "A Daydream for Sofia," by Cristina Sanchez, Silver Medal, Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (2021)