YWP Announcements
Submitted by ggevalt on January 7, 2009 - 18:32.
Bowing to popular demand, here are a few handy coding tools to use on your posts when you want to spruce things up a bit. Cheers --gg
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Submitted by ggevalt on January 2, 2009 - 18:46.
Young Writers Project is going to devote time, attention and space over the next few months to reading books -- and writing about what you think. Here is what we plan:
We have other things planned that we will announce soon. Want to know more about the Green Mountain Book awards and forums, click "read more" or the link above.
Submitted by ggevalt on January 1, 2009 - 15:41.
YWP community,
It is late afternoon on the first day of 2009. The clear, cold sunlight is flooding my study. I have always found that New Year's Day is an odd holiday; it is supposed to feel special, but somehow it doesn't. Nonetheless, it is a good time to assess and hope, and I wanted to share with you my hopes for you in the coming year...
- More Vermont students join this site and find it a supportive place to create.
- You create less angst poetry and more short stories, podcasts, plays, essays, comedy sketches and photo galleries.
- You each bring into the site at least three people who never thought they would like writing.
- You form YWP writing clubs in your areas and run me ragged with requests for workshops or author visits or slam poetry nights or some other form of support.
- You begin to create stories together as books.
- New YWP leaders step forward.
- You get your schools to do more with writing and expression of words.
Submitted by ggevalt on December 30, 2008 - 10:35.
The Young Writers Project is sponsoring Vermont Writes Day January 27, 2009 on which students, schools, guests, authors, politicians and anyone else who cares to participate will take seven minutes out of their day and write.
We have three suggested prompts to stimulate the writing:
- "Dear President Obama ..."
- "I am really good at ..."
- "Listen."
Pick one to trigger an idea, an anecdote, a poem, an essay, a short story or a formal letter. Set aside at least seven minutes of uninterrupted time and, just write.
Can you get your school to participate? This is a grass roots movement to get more emphasis on writing in your school. Bug your teachers. Ask your principal. Write to your school board. Get your school to join in. And when your school agrees to participate, include its name in the comments below.
Submitted by ggevalt on December 9, 2008 - 10:06.
YWP Community,
Several years ago, at Champlain College's wonderful Memorial Day young writers conference, the guest speaker told the group: "Don't write, READ! And he made the argument that young writers could learn more from reading the works of excellent writers than they could learn from doing their own writing.
I disagree -- to an extent. I do happen to agree that reading fine work is an excellent way to get better as a writer.
And I also know that getting folks to do things on this site requires a few brave souls to jump in the icy water before anyone else. So I need some volunteers to help get this year's Green Mountain Book Award forums started. They are looking pretty lonely (we've just set them up) but we'd like to have you get started.
So, because I know you are all shameless mercenaries (you know I don't mean that) I will offer up two free movie tickets or a gift certificate at a local book store to the first 5 people (I know, YWP is cheap as dirt, but we are a nonprofit!) to anyone who can start up a discussion in one of the GMBA book forums. The forum must be empty when you start and you must bring some fellow readers in on the deal. So, invite some friends.
The link, again, is youngwritersproject.org/GMBA Happy reading and happy discussions!
gg
Submitted by ggevalt on November 30, 2008 - 21:42.
YWP Community,
The energy of the Anthology Celebration and workshops is still with me. Got some new stuff for you:
Submitted by ggevalt on November 24, 2008 - 09:57.
... alot of you have ideas for your school. (I had initially whined that none of you had anything to say but you've proven that wrong!
And I see the discussion continues. Way way on the bottom...on page three is the latest material. I'd love to learn more about how you think your school could be better. How you'd be more interested. How you think those that are totally bored might get more out of the experience.
Thanks. gg
YWP Community,
 Armando VilasecaSound off!
Armando Vilaseca has been chosen the new Commissioner of Education for the state of Vermont. Vilaseca has been a teacher, principal and superintendent. He lives in Westford and, in recent years, has been a leader at Essex, Colchester and then Franklin County schools. By all accounts, he's a great listener.
Tell him what you want him to do to make your school better. What problem do you want him to fix? Is it not enough time for lunch? Too much time spent preparing for statewide testing? Is it lack of computers? Is it that your classes are too short and rushed?
Mr. Vilaseca, the first thing I want you to fix in my school is ...
Finish that sentence as a "blog" with the keywords: school ideas (You can post your ideas as comments below if that's easier; guaranteed, though, if you create a blog you'll say more and write better.)
We will send the best answers to Mr. Vilaseca.
gg
Submitted by ggevalt on November 5, 2008 - 15:57.
The Young Writers Project collaborated with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and the Vermont Midi Project to have a young composer -- Joshua Morris, a 15-year-old from St. Albans -- create six, one-minute compositions for six selections from our bevy (1,500!) of six-word short stories that were created last spring.
Here is what the collaboration -- 6 Pieces in 6 Words in 6 Minutes -- sounds like. This was recorded at rehearsal the night before the two concerts at the Flynn Center in Burlington. There were about 2,000 people at the two concerts. Unfortunately Bailey, Camille and Misha could not make it so gg filled in. (He hopes he did you justice!) Introducing the segment is David Ludwig, the incredible composer in residence at the VSO.
Listen to what can come from six words! (WARNING: David and I have already cooked up a plan for the coming year that will involve connecting writers with composers!)
The stories...
Before the light hit the earth. -- Bailey Walker, North Country Union High School
People finally stopped reading the newspapers. -- Camille Sage Bower, Mt. Mansfield Union High School.
The aliens transported the cow away. -- Emily Patch, Rutland High School
Her ghost restlessly haunts the castle. -- Amie Schiller, Brattleboro Union High School.
I knew I should have walked. -- Chris Smith, graduate, Spaulding High School.
No sir, it's a bird shop. -- Misha Kydd, Mt. Mansfield Union High School.
For more about the YWP six-word story project, click here.
A 30-second spot appeared Friday Dec. 5 on WCAX and Joshua said "I really never dreamed I'd be getting to do something like this. I started composing about three years ago, so yeah, it's really a wonderful experience." David Ludwig: "To give them the opportunity to write for a professional orchestra like the Vermont Symphony is something we really think is an investment in the future of music."
Submitted by ggevalt on November 5, 2008 - 08:43.
Still interested in responses ... And we've added video to Obama's speech link below. (gg)
History was made on Nov. 4, 2008: Sen. Barack Obama was elected as our nation's first African-American president. In a generation we have traveled from segregation and open bigotry to a black president. Remarkable. Extraordinary.
What do you think? Create a blog and use the keyword: Obama. To get your thoughts focused, read or join the YWP discussion that began election night. Or ost an audio essay or podcast on how you feel.
- To read and listen to Obama's victory speech, CLICK HERE.
- To read and listen to McCain's concession speech, CLICK HERE
How did you feel as the election results came in? Describe what it was like when Obama's victory was announced? What do you hope happens because of this election? And what did you think of Obama's speech? Of McCain's speech?
gg
Submitted by ggevalt on October 29, 2008 - 01:33.
We have several threads on the site about what you'd like to see. This one began when I switched the sidebar to the left side for a day. Most of you, it turned out, DID think I'd lost my mind. (As you can see below.)
We are beginning to toy around with cleaning this site up. We may go a little wider, perhaps even with three columns. Any suggestions are welcome.
We also are always interested in any new features you'd like.
If any of you are into design, Web design, graphic design and want to help create a fresher look and make changes on this site ... HOLLER. Really really loud so I can hear you.
cheers
gg
Submitted by ggevalt on October 22, 2008 - 11:07.
YWP participants,
The Online Writing Challenges have begun.... We are resuming what we began this summer...
PODCAST DAY 5 A rush of sound! Tuesday Dec. 5 will be our next Podcast Day. Assignment: Record the sounds of Vermont. Or write a letter to a deaf person describing what Vermont sounds like. (To record yourself reading, you won't need an audio recorder; CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.
To create a "podcast" just 1) create a blog entry and upload the audio file (mp3 preferred) in the box near the top of the entry. use KEYWORD: podcasts
DATE: Nov. 4 (Begin earlier if you want. And post on Wednesday, too.)
CLICK HERE for instructions on how to create a podcast if you do NOT have any equipment.
PROSE WEEK 4 ... Let's have a week in which all that you write in your blogs are stories and essays and vignettes and anecdotes and podcasts ONLY IN PROSE. No poetry. No free verse. Full sentences. And paragraphs. Create a blog entry and use KEYWORD: prose week
FALL WEEK: DECEMBER 8 -- 12.
MY STORY ... Pick a memorable moment from your life. Something that happened, something you did, something you witnessed. Tell a story about it that will tell us about you. 400 WORDS. NO REAL NAMES PLEASE. Try to focus on something very specific, give us detail. Create a blog entry and use KEYWORD: my story
Ongoing
ONE SENTENCE ... Tell a story in one sentence. Only one. (For some ideas, take a look at the keyword link. Or go to onesentence.org) Create a blog entry and use KEYWORD: one sentence
ONGOING
MY TOWN ... Write about your town or city. Tell us one story or one anecdote that reveals something about your community -- why you like it (or don't), what it stands for, what it's known for. You can tell a historical story. You can base it on an interview. YOU CAN DO A PODCAST in which you capture the sounds and voices of your community to complement your writing. Create a blog entry and use KEYWORD: my town
DUE: DECEMBER 10
SEVEN-WORD STORIES ... Try your hand at creating a short story in seven words. Stories need to have basic elements of a story -- character, conflict, resolution -- and have fun. Click here and put your ideas as a comment.
NOTES: YWP is a nonprofit, meaning we are always looking for money. Click "Support" above if you want to find out more about how you, your family or friends can help support this project.
cheers
gg
Submitted by ggevalt on October 20, 2008 - 16:33.
I have realized I had time wrong for Williston slam 6:30 p.m. is correct. -- gg
Williston Poetry Slam Monday, November 10: Williston Public Library, 6:30 p.m. Several YWP folks from this community are helping to organize. If you're interested in going, call Jill Coffrin at the library at 878-4918.
All-ages Poetry Slam at Montpelier’s Langdon Street Café, Thurs., Nov. 13, 7 – 9 P.M.Slammers arrive at 6:45 to sign up, bringing two original poems, each of which you can perform in three minutes or less. Prizes! Tell your friends, your students, your grandparents! Sponsored by the National Writing Project in Vermont, the state’s federally-funded organization of teachers who write with their students!
gg
Submitted by ggevalt on October 16, 2008 - 19:45.
Howdy guys,
We are trying to reach you but your emails are either rejecting us (misilover) or wrong (blondBlondie)
Can you get in touch with me? Please?
And can you fix your profiles so we have working or accepting email addresses?
cheers
gg
Submitted by ggevalt on October 16, 2008 - 17:59.
Grand total, 12.16.08, of 7-word stories: 2600
12.16.08: The 7-word box is back! Have fun. PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS AS A CHAT ROOM.
Click here to see all the 7-word stories created in the magic box.
To read/listen to the six-word stories, click here. A 15-year-old composer from St. Albans, Joshua Morris, composed one-minute pieces of music for six of the six-word stories which were read by students and gg (who filled in for those who couldn't make it)
This challenge: Seven Word Stories
Tell a story in seven words -- not more, not less, just seven, words. Follow the standard requirements for a short story -- character, conflict, resolution; if you can get friggin' place in there, you're a genius.
We promise to do something cool with them. UPDATE: Add your seven-word stories as comments below. Can we make 3,000?
Mentors To read feedback YWP college mentors' comments on entries to the Newspaper Series, click on names below. To read all entries that have feedback, click here. You must be logged in.
To read about mentors, click here.
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