People think you have to be old and gray to write a memoir. Not true! Maya Van Wagenen proves them wrong.
Did you know that Langston Hughes was only 18 when he wrote his famous poem, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”? He had just graduated from high school. Here is a recording of him talking about where the poem came from and why he wrote it. He also reads it for us!
You are never too young to be a “real” writer. I am constantly amazed by what my students produce with sufficient time and attention given to their writing.
Langston Hughes, 1902-1967
I am so proud of my former student, “E. Regina.” I worked with her for about three years, and she is now working on her fifth book! She also won a 24-hour short story contest. (I didn’t work with her on the story. She did that on her own. They grow up so fast!)
She is bound and determined to get published and I have no doubt she will achieve her dream. She writes: “I want to break the boundaries of what people believe teens are capable of.” Love it. Check out her blog! It’s full of fine writing and very good advice. You can read her award-winning short story here.
E. Regina, writer, teen
Poetry takes many forms, as proved by one of my very talented students, “Dr. Dimonds.” Check out his song “Diamonds on My Feet” on YouTube:
“Herobrine gets me ready for a new fight
I hit the crafting table, go and start a new quest
You in your house getting pork in my wooden chest
I’m in the mine getting ore with a diamond vest
Young minecrafter, coal in my pockets
I got a mine filled with whole diamond sockets.”
(I think the lyrics probably make sense if you have played the video game Minecraft before. ) Nice writing, Dr. Dimonds!