The Writing Tween and Teen

When we commit ourselves to writing for some part of each day we are happier, more enlightened, alive, lighthearted, and generous to everyone else. Even our health improves. —Brenda Ueland

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. —Margaret Mead.

Writing saved my childhood. I was a skinny girl who didn't fit in. Writing gave me power and purpose. Now that I'm an adult writing books, I know that writing has the power to transform not only our lives but our communities and the world.
Stop by on Monday afternoons this fall and claim your own writing power!
See you soon!
Rochelle

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Six-word Scary Stories

We've done six-word memoirs. Tonight the Dream Keepers wrote six-word scary stories. Read and enjoy! (Then write and submit your own in the comment field!) A vampire destroys the city with power. —Tramonta Garner (pictured above) One virus. One town. No survivors. —Jaimee Bogard-LaMar, 14 One girl. Many monsters. What's next? —Jaimee Bogard-LaMar, 14 Big zombie eats eyeballs. City blind. —Elisha Branch, 14 One house. One family. Both gone. —Elisha Branch, 14 Knock, knock. Who's there? Killer mysterious. —Derranesha, 12 Baby cries. No answer. What happens? —Derranesha, 12 Ring, ring. "Hello." Please help me. —April, 12 The spooky monster ran towards me ... —Sonya, 17 The worm crawls into the brain. —Sierra The slippery, slimy monster grabs two. —Quintoya Eskridge

On Beauty

Last night we read poems and essays about beauty in the book edited by Iris Jacob called, My Sister's Voices: Teenage Girls of Color Speak Out. The girls wrote poems in response. Standards of Beauty by Natalie Branch I’m that girl who never fits in. I’m not fat nor am I thin. I’m an African American with light skin. When I walk out the house, I’m full of curiosity— Not knowing what others will think of me. Some may be jealous, others furious. Me, I’m just curious. My confidence isn’t low; it’s not high either. My emotions are building up—like a deadly fever. People like me because of who I am. People hate me because I’m not like them. Sometimes I ask myself: should I stay the same, or become someone else? That’s something you will never again hear me say. People say change, but I stay the same. I am me, and I was born this way. And this is how I will stay. Yo! I’m sayin’! by Deanna Branch Q: Why you wear yo’ hair like that? Yo! I’m sayin, My hairstyle reflects my personality. When...

Writing to Protest

Last Monday we listened to protest music and wrote our own versions of protest poems. Two of the teens finished poems to share with you. Both poets write from another point of view. The first poet takes on the challenge of revealing one's true self. The second poet takes on the traditional values for women. After you read these poems, think about this: what do you want to protest? Write it down. Take A Look by Aliza Mendoza, age 16 Who am I? When you look at me what do you see? Shy and quiet girl. Would you believe me when I say It's just a show. Should I tell you my story to make you understand. Should I shed this pretense and show you who I really am. Should I let the tears fall to show how much it hurts. Should I pull up my shirt for the scars to appear. Should I cut myself just to prove I'm still here. Look at me now. Who am I? Let me know, so I can prove you wrong. It's not me you see but someone else, totally different. Can I touch your arm and you can feel my ski...

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