So, among the interactions on the comments' pages of the recent posts, I talked a little about the group of young writers I've been working with.
I also mention them a little bit in an interview that was just published on a blog called Lady Reader's Bookstuff (linked below).
So I'm asking the kids to submit to being the subjects of a web-documentary about what they do and what they think about writing. I'm sure they'll have some interesting -- and possibly surprising -- things to say. And it will undoubtedly shock a lot of YA phonies out there to see that there are just as many boys in the group as there are girls. [YA phonies adhere to the unwavering philosophy that "Young Adult" equals "girl," especially as it pertains to reading, plot line, and writing]
Anyway, this should be cool. Give us a couple weeks or so to get it filmed and edited.
I'll tell you a few things about what we do and don't do in the group.
First off, we don't censor. This means that the kids write about whatever they want to write about. Sometimes, they'll even say shit. I can't remember if any of them said fuck yet. Oh, wait... they're teenagers.
Of course they have.
What was I thinking?
Every time we meet, the kids read a couple pages from what they're working on. Sometimes, it's poetry, but it's most often prose (short stories and novels).
At first, most of the kids were shy about reading their own stuff out loud, but they got over that really fast. I think, for the most part, they really enjoy reading to their peers.
After each kid reads, we make comments about what works or what needs to be clarified -- sometimes we suggest fixes. You'll see.
You know what we don't do?
Read stuff that I write.
I'm really jealous, too, because I wish I had a group of fellow writers like these kids do. But, oh well...
I'll talk more about them in future posts.
Also, coming up this week, I believe I have an interview on Matthew Rush's very cool blog for writers. He and his readers asked some different, not-too-expected kinds of questions.
And here is a link to a brand-new interview I did at Lady Reader's Bookstuff.
6 comments:
I wish I had a group of readers that could be so prolific and open. But in high school, I did not consider myself smart and I thought I hated writing and reading. I would never have shared anything back then.
I have great writing friends nowadays, but I still wish there were a few peers I could connect with on a no BS level where everything was out in the open. Maybe it's my fault that it isn't that way.
I cannot even comprehend how cool it would have been to be part of a workshop with a published author at that age. I always loved my English teachers more than other other teachers, but that doesn't even compare.
I wonder which of your lives is being changed more. I bet you learn as much from them as they do from you.
Off to read that other post ...
What a great opportunity for those kids and you. Looking forward to the video.
I lead (and by that I mean follow, mostly, now that they've got a handle on things) a creative writing group for upper elementary and middle school kids. It is, hands down, my favorite hour of the week.
I'm looking forward to seeing your documentary.
That is a really great chance for those kids. We do that in our class as well and it really helps to deal with criticism instead of always being afraid of it.
Nahno ∗ McLein ™
I've found sharing work out loud to be a big risk for HS kids and adults. It's such a vulnerable moment and a testament to the trust and safety developed by your group that they will do this. Do you have any guidelines on critiqueing that you use? I'm curious because I've had trouble with groups (adult) and been in groups when I was in college (classes) and never really been satisfied with how they were handled. Not everyone knows how to critique in a helpful way (not even sure if I do - but I know what is hurtful and not helpful when it happens to me). This sounds like great work and I look forward to hearing more about the group in the video.
Also, great interview on Lady Reader's blog. It's funny how people keep asking you if what you wrote about happened to you in real life. You're very good at constructively evading in your answer. You get pressed for that a lot.
I remember a writing teacher saying once, to write what you know but not to write about yourself. What's that supposed to mean? I'm still trying to figure that one out. Don't we all write from the experience we have in our lives to some degree?
By the way - ARCs should be out soon - glossary in place.
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