Paper Pencil 

Paper Pencil is a creative writing workshop designed to address all genres of writing and caters to adults as well as teens. It is an exploration of creativity through prompts and discussions.

Paper Pencil, previously named WRITE ON!, started over 20 years ago.  Since its inception, it has developed into a safe place to begin a writing journey or jump start one in its process. Whatever is on your mind about writing, it can be explored safely and if you have no determined plans, the workshop will certainly open your eyes to the possibilities. Paper Pencil allows for healthy experiences that expand your interpretation of what writing is and what you have to offer.

We have after-school classes as well as summer week-long workshops for teens, and this spring we’ve added an Improvisation Workshop for those folks who prefer to be on their feet with their creativity.

For adults, there is an ongoing Creative Writing Workshop on Friday mornings, 11-1. Please consider joining us. You won’t regret it.

Our teachers include Gannon Daniels, Deena Rosen and Loretta Fox.

BIOs

Gannon Daniels is an English professor at Glendale and East Los Angeles Colleges, teaching Composition, Critical Thinking, Literature and Creative Writing.  She has a bachelor's degree in Communication/Oral Interpretation from Eastern Michigan University, A master's degree in Writing from University of Southern California and a master's degree in Education with an emphasis in Reading Comprehension from California State University, Los Angeles. She has been a Writing Project Fellow since 2009 and has presented at their summer intensive, as well as the Crossing Boundaries: CATE 2012 Convention.  Her 20 + years of teaching experience includes a five year stint managing a tutoring center for East LA College, directing teens in her own adaptation of Girl Power at South Coast Repertory and Teaching creative writing and creative writing curriculum to K-12 instructors at California State University, Los Angeles. 

She is an accomplished writer herself.  Her poems have been seen or will be seen in  DRUNK MONKEYS,  AFTER THE PAUSE, GLOOM CUPBOARD, WHISTLING SHADE, JERRY JAZZ MUSICIAN, GEMINI MAGAZINE, SANSKRIT, EDGZ, COMPASS ROSE, POEM, CALIFORNIA QUARTERLY, THE SIERRA NEVADA REVIEW, CAPE ROCK, CIMARRON REVIEW, RATTLE, THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ANTHOLOGY, ECLIPSE, and EARTH’S DAUGHTERS. The Occupying Water, published by Galt Art House, is Gannon's first book. Another very meaningful accomplishment for her is the acceptance of two of her plays (Choices and How I’m Valued) by the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts. CHOICES was actualized and had a healthy tour in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Certainly her best creation is her son, Edward.

Deena Rosen is a writer, teacher, and a native of Los Angeles.  She was the PEN in the Classroom writer in residence at Odyssey Charter School from 2009 to 2013, where she held weekly creative writing workshops for the 7th grade classes.  She also taught writing and reading comprehension at local community colleges before shifting her attention to early childhood development.  She is currently a senior teacher at a play-based community nursery school in Echo Park.  In addition to writing fiction and poetry, Deena’s interests include creating curriculum and environments that foster authenticity, creativity, and play, whether in the writing workshop or on the nursery school yard.  Her work has been published in High Performance and Mid-American Review.  She holds a BA in Studio Art from U.C. Berkeley and an MA in Creative Writing from Hollins University.  Deena lives in Los Angeles, with her husband, two teenage children, and two black cats. 

 Loretta Fox is an actress, writer and improv instructor. She performs in television and film and writes and performs personal essays at various venues in Los Angeles. Loretta has been teaching improv to kids of all ages for the last 3 and a half years and has done workshops for both kids and adults during that time. She is a regular instructor for Lisa Picotte’s Young Actors Workspace. Loretta believes that improvisation is key to boosting confidence, team building and personal connection. It is a tool that promotes being in the moment and keeping an open mind. Through improvisation an individual can learn to make strong choices and go with their instincts. It encourages self- awareness and is a wonderful way to both show and tell story. Many great stories have their start through improv exercises and games. These games encourage players to focus, go with the flow and work as a team. She believes that everyone can benefit from the art of improvisation.