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.
DeanneJourneys Inspired by Love
www.deannewilsted.com
Follow me - @dwilsted
or https://www.facebook.com/DeanneWilstedAuthor
