A few months back I was out walking with my best friend and ran an idea past her. "What do you think about doing a writing workshop for teenagers?" She thought it was a great idea, having several talented young writers in her house, and encouraged me to pursue it. Before I knew it, I'd asked my writers group if they'd be interested in helping to sponsor something like that and it was a unanimous affirmative.
It has been total inspiration - for me. I have never been so sure I was doing the right thing in my life. I've always wanted to work with teens. I connect with them on a different level than I do adults. I fit there, though whether it's because I'm a big kid, or I just understand what it's like, I don't know. We reserved a room at the library and started spreading the word, then came up with a game plan on what to teach.
Tonight was our first class. Of the 14 girls who originally showed interest, 11 came. It was amazing. They were excited and wanted to be there and they know SO MUCH! I am in awe of these young women, none of them over 15, who have written books and stories, who know what plot and characterization are. They got it. I could see their eyes light up when a concept finally came clear in how to construct a story.
I'm flying so high tonight, I don't know how I'll ever sleep, and the gratitude I feel is overwhelming - humbling. I am so proud of these kids, and so very grateful that I can have a small part in giving them something I always longed for and never had at their age - the knowledge of how to put a great story together.
Today I can honestly say: "I love my life!"
Quote of the Day: "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." -- Bill Cosby
It has been total inspiration - for me. I have never been so sure I was doing the right thing in my life. I've always wanted to work with teens. I connect with them on a different level than I do adults. I fit there, though whether it's because I'm a big kid, or I just understand what it's like, I don't know. We reserved a room at the library and started spreading the word, then came up with a game plan on what to teach.
Tonight was our first class. Of the 14 girls who originally showed interest, 11 came. It was amazing. They were excited and wanted to be there and they know SO MUCH! I am in awe of these young women, none of them over 15, who have written books and stories, who know what plot and characterization are. They got it. I could see their eyes light up when a concept finally came clear in how to construct a story.
I'm flying so high tonight, I don't know how I'll ever sleep, and the gratitude I feel is overwhelming - humbling. I am so proud of these kids, and so very grateful that I can have a small part in giving them something I always longed for and never had at their age - the knowledge of how to put a great story together.
Today I can honestly say: "I love my life!"
Quote of the Day: "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." -- Bill Cosby
10 comments:
Karen, you inspire me! (Not to write, because I'm inept in that area, but to do a lot of other things!) It made me so happy to read this post. I think you have multiple callings in this life and what you wrote about tonight is one of them. You're amazing!
Wow, Jill, thanks a bunch!
Karen, what a wonderful thing to do! You are an amazing lady. There really is nothing like reaching a young mind and connecting to something you both love.
What a great idea and you're wonderful to do that for those young women--they're very lucky. I wish I would've had that as a teenager or even now would be good! Go, Karen!
Karen,
That is an idea I had and thought I had to wait a while before I could create something like that. I'm sooo glad you've done it. I don't know if it's on any interest to you or not, but it might help your attendees to know about my blog at http://thewriteblocks.blogspot.com. It's all about how to write a story.
Way to go! I would never be brave enough to do that! I'm glad it went well. You rock!
Thanks, everybody! You know, one of the things that was so surprising and wonderful was that I was not nervous at all. For me, that is HUGE. I guess it's a case of whom the Lord calls he qualifies.
Very fun!! I'm glad you had this awesome idea, and those teens will remember this class the rest of their lives.
This would be so great in my area. I think I need to get a little more experience under my belt before I try to do anything like this. What a great thing you are doing.
My friend, you have been tagged. Drop by my blog. Don't worry, it's a cool one.
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