Youth Writing Program

maestrowork · May 15, 2007

A bit of good news. I've been accepted as a facilitator for the YMCA Youth Writing program (summer camp). I'll probably teach fiction writing (there will be ten writers involved, each with their specific specialties: poetry, screenwriting, song-writing, nonfiction, fiction, etc.).

I'm very excited about it. It'll start in June and go until the end of July. I just love the idea of helping and encouraging our youths to write.

I do have some questions, though. Like, how do you make it interesting? (most of these students are between 15-19 years old) What to cover? One idea is to give them writing prompts, then go over their writing samples, critique and talk about them, etc. The idea is not to have too much "lecturing" but be more hands-on and interactive.

I haven't done anything like that before other than my own writing group, so I wonder how it would work, especially with young people. I've done lectures and seminars, but not a "writing camp" for youths. I don't want them to feel like they're stuck in a classroom during summer vacation. On the other hand, since they're signing up for it, I hope they're really into writing...

Suggestions and ideas are welcome.

tjwriter · May 15, 2007

I think prompts are excellent, and one of my favorite ways to write. Perhaps you could prepare your responses to the prompts ahead of time so you can read them and discuss various things like POV, etc. The kids may not feel like reading their stuff aloud, so by having something you can work from, it takes the pressure off.

Ask opinion questions because then you get some better responses. Let them ask lots of questions.

And for the love of all things writerly, talk about how real publishing works and scams that exist. Kids know what scams are and you can help save a generation. Discuss the process you went through.

Bring something to give away, if you can. It helps if it makes them feel writerly.

OverTheHills&FarAway · May 15, 2007

Yeah, I second the info on publishing. I wish the writer's course I took in high school had at least mentioned the fact that publishing is a goal to work towards.

Perhaps you could set as a goal for each kid to have a story ready for submitting. Perhaps have a couple of publishers in mind. Or if that's too intimidating for them, put together a class literary magazine. Show the kids what an editor does to get stories into print.

It could be a lot of work. Sounds like something I would have wanted to do at that age.

And freewriting. Every session ten minutes or so can help them get into the habit of writing every day. We did that, and even though most of what I wrote was crap, going through the motions and getting words onto paper prepared my mind for more serious stuff.

Anyway, yeah. Just some thoughts. Good luck on this!

maestrowork · May 15, 2007

OverTheHills&FarAway said:
Perhaps you could set as a goal for each kid to have a story ready for submitting.

Yes, publishing/getting something in publishable quality is one of the goals.

Great ideas.

kristie911 · May 15, 2007

When I took creative writing in college, one of the assignments was to write a short story of your choosing AND find a magazine to submit it to. It was interesting for me because at 18 years old, I'd written a lot but actually submitting had never crossed my mind. And it taught me how to research for submission.

Though I never did submit it...and reading the story now makes me cringe!

Shady Lane · May 15, 2007

I'd say give them some free time. I've had too many writing teachers who smother us with prompts and make us fill specific guidelines (write a short story, write a response to this, etc) that just weren't me. I once had a teacher who made me write in three different mediums by the end of a quarter--poetry, short story, and greeting card. But all I wanted to do was work on my book.

If they sign up for a program like this, they probably can start themselves up and already know what they like to write. An optional prompt to get them started is fine, but I'd give them a fair amount of freedom.

Provrb1810meggy · May 15, 2007

I agree with Shady_Lane. Give them freedom. Let them work with genres, mediums, story types, they like, because one of the worst things for a teenager is being forced to write something you hate. Even let them work on things they've already started.

If most of these kids are into writing, which I assume they will be, usually prompts and idea-starters aren't so helpful. They probably already have ideas. More specific attention, working on revising and strengthening, etc., that's what most teen writers need.

Soccer Mom · May 15, 2007

Something that's fun to do at the start is have them bring something they've written to share. It can give you an idea of what they like to write and where they are skillwise.

Youth Writing Program

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

tjwriter

Emerging Anew

OverTheHills&FarAway

McNifico

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

kristie911

Happy to be here

Shady Lane

my name is hannah

Provrb1810meggy

Soccer Mom

Crypto-fascist