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Writing Coaches
Shu-Hsien & Royd
Winter 2025 Classes
The following classes are currently available for enrollment.
Please note that we also teach small private classes that are not listed here.
If the offerings below do not fit your schedule, feel free to email us, and perhaps we can find a class for your young writer.
To register, please send an email to [email protected].
Please provide:
- The title of the course
- Your child's name
- Your child's age as of January 1st
- A daytime phone number for us to reach you.
Either Writing Coach Shu-Hsien Ho or Royd Hatta will respond as soon as possible.
Ages 8 to 12
MONDAYS 1 PM
Diving into the World of Curious Creatures
An In-Person Research Workshop for Ages 8-12
Palo Alto: Hosted by Parent Roberta P.
Taught by Writing Coaches Royd Hatta & Shu-Hsien Ho
Mondays, 1pm-2pm Pacific Time
February 3 – April 21, 2025 (10 Sessions)
(No sessions on Feb 17 & Apr 7)
Minimum 6 students
Maximum 10 students
Tuition:
6 students: $520 per student
7-10 students: $475 per student
(Includes lesson prep, 1:1 sessions, detailed feedback on written assignments, and travel fee.)
Imagine...a bird that has a bright blue face, claws on its wings as a baby chick, and a terrible odor due to fermenting food in its stomach. Believe it or not, this is a Hoatzin, or a stinkbird that actually lives in the Amazon!
Our theme for this workshop is the wonderful, wacky world of animals, both past and present.
This course asks students to explore a specific question or topic that intrigues them and learn concrete steps for digging into the facts and creating a story or essay. Past projects have included the life of a falconer and how archeologists discover T-Rex fossils. Students will share their readings on the last day of class. We invite you to join us on this special journey!
Lessons will include:
- Highly interactive, hands-on brainstorming exercises to inspire curiosity
- A step-by-step process for developing researching, critical thinking, problem solving, organizing, and writing & revising skills
- 1:1 Zoom sessions outside of class to walk through the writing phase
Note to Parents:
- This course asks parents of younger students (ages 8-10) to provide support at home.
- This includes library visits and help with collecting and organizing notes from online research. We will gather age-appropriate sources such as books, articles, videos, and documentaries, etc.
To register, please contact Royd at [email protected]
WEDNESDAYS 10 AM
Approaching Light Speed
An Online (Zoom) Science Fiction Writing Workshop
for Students Ages 9-11
Taught by Writing Coach Royd Hatta
Jan 8 - Mar 12, 2025 (9 Sessions)
(No session on Feb. 19 for February Break)
Wednesdays 10 AM - 11 AM Pacific Time
Minimum 5 students
Maximum 10 students
Tuition:
5 students: $525 per student
6+ students: $470 per student
(Includes lesson prep, 1:1 sessions, and detailed feedback on written assignments.)
Imagine jumping into the cockpit of your Ramion Mark V ship, a piece of junk to the common space traveler. But it has modified fusion reactor engines that you installed last week, and is capable of reaching Mach 10. With your buddy, HalloTofu, a mechdog who can detect particle signatures from miles away, you can track any fugitive alien on the run. Fire up your engines and buckle your seatbelts!
In this course, we'll research science concepts and imagine a future where humans enjoy its benefits and wrestle with its issues. We’ll apply techniques for creating compelling characters and stories while employing the tools of non-fiction to help us think beyond the facts. In the end, great science fiction is always rooted in a quest for understanding humanity. Join us as we race towards the future at light speed.
Students will:
- research cutting-edge science and technology
- read short stories from celebrated authors
- write mini essays
- generate first ideas
- write new scenes
- organize the plot
- integrate scientific facts and details
- revise for clarity and logic, and
- edit towards a final draft.
On the last day of the course, students will have an opportunity to present readings from their stories.
To register, please contact Royd at [email protected]
Ages 11 to 13
WEDNESDAYS 8:30 AM
Digging Up Buried Treasure:
An Online (Zoom) Historical Fiction Workshop
for Students Ages 11-13
Taught by Writing Coach Royd Hatta
Jan 8 - Mar 12, 2025 (9 Sessions)
(No session on Feb. 19 for February Break)
Wednesdays 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Pacific Time
Minimum 5 students
Maximum 10 students
Tuition:
5 students: $525 per student
6+ students: $470 per student
(Includes lesson prep, 1:1 sessions, and detailed feedback on written assignments.)
On the Train from Los Angeles to Jerome, Arkansas, May 1942.
“They’re not taking us to a summer camp,” my brother Shig said, peeking under the mandatory window shades of our train. By now, I should believe him. I hope he’s wrong. It’s been two days since we left L.A. and two months since the Japanese military bombed Pearl Harbor. Why would they do that? My best friend Kiyo says they’re taking us to concentration camps. “Relocation Camps,” I said, hoping Kiyo was wrong. Janey gave me the same look Shig gave me after he peeked out the train window. When the soldier left to patrol another train car, I leaned across Shig and looked under the shade. Endless fields of wheat. Like the ocean. Will we ever see the Pacific Coast again?
In this course, we will read, research, and “load up” all that we can from an interesting, if not critical, moment in history. Students will choose a time period that captures their curiosity and gather notes for their own stories. We’ll transition to writing short, detailed scenes that immerse us in that special world. As we further our research, we’ll gradually embed historical events, the period’s language and idioms, as well as the various societal and cultural beliefs and arguments.
As always, we’ll cover the following steps:
- choose a historical topic
- research archives and resources
- generate first ideas
- write new scenes
- organize the plot
- integrate historical facts and details
- revise for clarity and logic, and
- edit towards a final draft.
On the last day of the course, students will have an opportunity to present readings from their stories.
To register, please contact: [email protected]
Ages 12-14
THURSDAYS 11 AM
Word Ninjas: The Art of Persuasion
An In-Person
Workshop on Persuasive Essays for Ages 12-14
Taught by Writing Coaches Shu-Hsien Ho & Royd Hatta
Thursdays, 11am-12pm Pacific Time
Jan 16 - Mar 20, 2025 • 8 sessions
(No lessons on Feb 20 & Mar 13)
Sunnyvale: Hosted by Parent Danielle R. in her backyard
Minimum 6 students
Maximum 12 students
Tuition:
5 Students: $510 per student
6-10 Students: $460 per student
(Includes lesson prep, 1:1 sessions, and detailed feedback on written assignments.)
Greta Thunberg, Martin Luther King Jr., and Sojourner Truth.
How do certain writers and speakers draw in a wide audience of listeners and followers?
What are the patterns or frameworks used to capture attention, gain loyal fans, ad even create a movement?
How do we develop a critical eye to discover what is credible versus empty rhetoric?
This course will dive into the nature of a compelling article, essay, or speech. We'll uncover the persuasive techniques used since Ancient Greek times, as well as the emotional appeals that call us to action. We'll read pieces from current and past leaders, activists, and creators. Students will be asked to apply these tools as they write their own persuasive essays based on topics of personal interest.
In the end, our focus will be to inspire writing that makes a difference. Readings and videos will be selected from:
Greta Thunberg, Seth Godin, Cesar Chavez, Rigoberta Menchu, Sojourner Truth, Martin Luther King Jr., President Barack Obama, J.F. Kennedy, Yuri Kochiyama, and other thought leaders.
To register, please contact Royd at: [email protected]
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High School
WEDNESDAYS 10 AM
TED Talks: The Power of Big Ideas & Calls to Action
An Online/Zoom High School Course for grades 9-12
Taught by Writing Coach Shu-Hsien Ho
Beyond the Box Learning
WED 10am-11am Pacific Time
Jan 15 - Mar 19, 2025
(9 lessons • No Class Feb. 19)
Minimum 2 students, Maximum 8
Tuition:
2 Students: $600 per student
3-8 students: $565 per student
(Includes lesson prep, 1:1 sessions, and detailed feedback on written assignments.)
How do certain speakers and writers have the power to draw a wide audience of listeners and followers? What are the patterns or frameworks used for effective speeches that create a movement?
This course will dive into the nature of a compelling speech, its key elements, its persuasive and rhetorical techniques, and the emotional drive that calls us to action. We will read and watch speeches by both famous and not-so-well-known leaders, activists, and creators. Students will apply these tools as they write their own persuasive speeches based on topics of personal interest. In the end, our focus will be to share big ideas and inspire writing that makes a difference.
Readings and videos will be selected from:
Youth TED presenters:
Adora Svitak, Jack Andraka, Richard Turere
Adult TED speakers and others:
Jennifer Doudna (CRISPR), Lydia Machova (Language Learning), Bill Gates (Pre-Covid, Post Covid), Steve Jobs (Stanford Commencement), Eddie Woo (Math), Arthur Benjamin (Fibonacci), Sojourner Truth, Martin Luther King Jr., President Barack Obama, J.F. Kennedy, and Yuri Kochiyama.
To register, please contact Royd at: [email protected]
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SATURDAYS 4 PM
Nonfiction: A Silly to Serious Deep Dive into Essays
An In-Person
Workshop for Students Ages 12-14 (Grades 7-9)
Taught by Writing Coach Royd Hatta
Saturdays 4pm-5pm
Mitchell Park Library Study Rooms, Palo Alto
Jan 11th - Mar 15, 2025 • 9 sessions
(No session on February 22nd.)
Minimum 2 students
Maximum 5 students
Tuition:
2 Students: $750 per student
3-5 Students: $550 per student
(Includes lesson prep, 1:1 sessions, and detailed feedback on written assignments.)
This nonfiction workshop will tap into the curiosity, wonder, and imagination of students. The goal will be to create essays with a clear path and greater ease.
We'll practice capturing our readers' attention with strange facts and compelling stories to drive a point home.
We’ll begin with made-up news stories (“Scientist Discovers a Strange New Species”) as a way to understand how to build fact-based articles. Next, we'll continue with silly Persuasive Essays. From the middle of the course to the end, we'll address real topics of interest with a focus on analysis.
Throughout our workshop, students will learn various essay structures to fluidly develop their own essays.
We'll cover:
- News Article Writing/Essays (Silly & Serious Versions)
- Personal Essays (Silly & Serious Versions)
- Persuasive Essays (Silly & Serious Versions)
These topics may include science, social studies, art, music, sports, spotlight interviews, and opinion sections.
We’ll use student-friendly news websites to read fascinating articles for inspiration, critique, and analysis.
As always, we’ll walk through each step in the creative process: brainstorming ideas, choosing a topic, organizing facts and details, writing first drafts, revising content, editing, and publishing final drafts. Students will be invited to read on the last day of class.
To register, please contact Royd at: [email protected]
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