Monday, June 24, 2013

Overheard at... the beach

“My son wrote this really clever, funny story when he was in fourth grade. I’ve held onto it thinking maybe someday he’d want to publish it.”

I am convinced when we look back someday we will find this is the age of the writer. There is such promise in the opportunity to make our work available to readers. And nowhere is this clearer than with young writers and poets (or sometimes those who are both!)
July on Romancing the Genres will spotlight young writers. Young writers bring their own perspective and voice to writing. They also bring fresh content that can sometimes seem controversial to adults. It is a fine balance, I think, between promoting their writing style, their academic learning and their freedom of expression.

It is fitting for this post during our charitable subject month, that I get the opportunity to thank some wonderful organizations out there who are helping kids learn to walk this balance while supporting and building their motivation to write:

-          Our very own, local, Willamette Writers has a nationally known program for kids, Young Willamette Writers (http://www.willamettewriters.com/YWW/yww.htm)

-          826 National aims to “provide under-resourced students, ages 6-18, with opportunities to explore their creativity and improve their writing skills…” and much more! (http://826national.org/about/)

-         Another local organization, Write Around Portland, “…Bring(s) free 10-week creative writing workshops to hospitals, schools, homeless youth shelters, senior centers, low income apartments, prisons, social service agencies and treatment facilities…” (http://www.writearound.org/index.html)

-         The Association of Writers and Writing Programs takes the learning back a level, by supporting those who teach kids how to express themselves (showing how to build a well, so to speak rather than building it for them) (https://www.awpwriter.org/about/our_history)

-         Young Writers Society is an online community for young writers age 13+ (http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/)

-        The Young Writers Project out of VT and NH has a great format for others to use in supporting young writers (including developing fun writing prompts to kick start imagination) (http://youngwritersproject.org/)

-         Who hasn’t heard of NaNoWriMo? But did you know they have a special Young Writers Program: (http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/)

The list could go on and on. Whether you are an established author, or a new writer, getting involved in one of these organizations helps all of us, kids and adult volunteers alike, continue to grow as writers.
Deanne
Journeys Inspired by Love
www.deannewilsted.com
Follow me - @dwilsted
or     https://www.facebook.com/DeanneWilstedAuthor

6 comments:

Judith Ashley said...

As in other areas of our lives, the young people are our future. I'm young enough that I'm sure I'll be reading the works of some of the talent being nurtured by these organizations. Thanks, Deanne.

Sarah Raplee said...

Thank you for sharing information on all these wonderful programs for helping and supporting young writers, Deanne.

Diana McCollum said...

Wonderful that there are so many organizations supporting young writers. Any program that encourages young people to write and read is awesome.

Mindy Hardwick said...

Thank you for this great post! I'm looking forward to the July series of posts.

There is also Hope Clark's KidWriter which is a bi-monthly newsletter listing contests, grants, and markets just for young writers. It's free to subscribe.


http://www.fundsforwriters.com/writingkid/

Deanne said...

Wow Mindy... that looks awesome! Thanks for adding it. I was also reminded by my daughter that by showing our own kids (and their friends) that we are writers, by taking ourselves seriously, we act as important role models for them.

Yesterday, on vacation, we were taking a tour of an old gold mine and when the guide asked if I was a teacher my daughter chimed in proudly; "no, she's a romance writer." :>)

Judith Ashley said...

One of those "Kodak" moments. I know that reference dates me but then I see myself as spanning several generations - from Kodak moment to MasterCard's 'Priceless'.