PROGRAM: Fall Line-up--Teen Writing Group

Well, fall programming is in full swing.  My branch is hosting a set of past favorites as well as a few special events. I thought I'd share these ideas and welcome some input about future events.

Back for another year are three staple teen programs.  The first I'll talk about is Teen Writing Group. We meet for an hour and a half every 2 weeks.  I've got an very enthusiastic and dedicated following. Plus, we always seem to add new members.

So... What do we do?  Last year, we focused on introducing some basic genres and a lot of creative writing prompts.  A big hit was interactive fiction using Twine. This is a free, open source software (no installation required) where writers can create story chains for an interactive experience a la 'Choose your own Adventure.'

This year we're going to follow up with a bit more structure.  I've introduced the groundwork for writers to explore a Multigenre Project.  This is something I learned about from an amazing professor. It adapts well and has the potential to be fun. My writers seem super excited and this week is when I'll bring in some examples.

If you want to learn more about this type of project, there are a few places to start.  My former professor, Dr. Tom Romano, is a forerunner of this writing style.  He's published several books and has a website complete with the basics of the projects and some examples. There are other sites detailing this process, but I'm partial to these.

Another staple of Teen Writing Group is the opportunity for my teen to interact with published authors.  I want to give them the opportunity to ask questions of those who are actually in the business and to get an idea of what not only the writing process but the publishing world is all about. Teens have Skyped with Katie McGarry (@KatieMcGarry) and Andrea Cremer (@andreacremer).






This week they'll get to Skype with Kiki Hamilton (@kikihamilton) and in October we're having a larger event where we'll chat with Jonathan Maberry (@JonathanMaberry).

The best part about this program is the enthusiasm it builds toward writing. A lot of the creative writing electives have been cut from local schools and there are so many teens for which writing is an outlet. I'm lucky to have had such success with this program.  My teaching background certainly comes in handy as does the support from our entire library system to promote writing.

In October, we'll host the annual teen writing contest called Our Own Words, for submissions in poetry and short story.  This is a system wide event and in November we'll announce winners at a ceremony where all writers get a chance to share their work.  It has been extremely successful in the past and many staff and teens are looking forward to it!



#teen #library #program #writing

REVIEW: The Anatomy of Curiosity

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Having read quite a bit YA fiction, I can undoubtedly say that Maggie Stiefvater and Brenna Yovanoff are two of the most talented and unique among a sea of other writers.  I am less familiar with Tessa Gratton; however, she has now made it to the top of "to-read" list based on this anthology's science fiction fantasy short story.

What is truly unique about this volume is its purpose and structure.  Not only do Stiefvater, Gratton and Yovanoff offer up three well-written and thought provoking stories, but each also includes insightful commentary and footnotes about the writing process. As a former writing teacher and a teen librarian who hold regular teen writing opportunities, this is a fantastic resource for myself and other writers.  What's better than accomplished authors actually leading readers and other writers through their process?

Stiefvater begins with an introduction about writing based on characterization. The story which follows illustrates how powerful a character driven piece can be for readers. Set in Brooklyn, Petra embarks on a strange and curious journey--learning how to be 'lady-like', the importance of context, and to speak her mind--all from a curious tutor who is much more than she seems.

Within Part II, Gratton emphasizes the importance of details when world-building.  In this science fiction story, a faraway land is immersed in a brutal war. A young soldier in the desert has to learn how to do his duty but also learn who is really is as he struggles with love and acceptance.

Yovanoff closes Part III with a discussion of reoccurring ideas and themes.  Her focus is drowning and from there she crafts the beginnings of several haunting interrelated stories.

I definitely recommend this be added to school and public library collections.  If you are a writer and know others who write and would like to improve their skills by learning from others, then this a stellar anthology. If you are just a fan of Stiefvater, Gratton, and or Yovanoff, then you will enjoy it as well!

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the authors on Twitter: @brennayovanoff @mstiefvater@tessagratton

#review #writing #YAlit #curiosity #netgalley