Teens, you didn’t ask, but one of my favorite quotes is by playwright Anton Chekhov: “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” It gives me shivers! I’m not even a fan of Anton Chekhov (apologies to Anton’s estate), but as someone who loves to read and sometimes enjoys writing, I find myself staring at those glinting shards and considering the magic of good writing.
If this is something that also gives you shivers (a.k.a. you enjoy writing, thinking about ways to make your writing glint, and/or staring at broken glass), I have good news. We’re starting a teen writers’ club at A.K. Smiley Public Library in February and we would love for you to join us. What is the name of this club? I don’t know. What will we do at this club? I don’t know. Is it even a club? I don’t know. This is a brand-new club, and the beauty of brand-new clubs is they can be anything we want them to be. They can even NOT be a club!
Have I enticed you yet, teen writers? Has telling you absolutely nothing piqued your interest? Then come help us figure ourselves out! Our first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, from 7:30-8:30pm, in the Teen Underground (the lower level at A.K. Smiley Public Library).
In the meantime, if you are looking for ways to electrify your writing, you may wish to check out the following Young Adult nonfiction titles, all, of course, available from the Teen Underground area at A.K. Smiley Public Library.
“Seize the Story: A Handbook for Teens Who Like to Write” by Victoria Hanley offers helpful tips on the writing process, from character development to spiffing up your final draft. As I was thumbing through this book, I read all of the author’s advice and immediately threw this whole article in the trash and rewrote it. Did I do a good job? You will only know if you check out this book.
“Dare to Write: Creative Writing Prompts for Young People and Word Rebels Everywhere” by Kristen Fogle delivers what the title promises…so many fun ideas to get your ideas and writing flowing. The book is organized by genre, and readers are invited to jump around. There are character worksheets, scene-setting prompts, dialog tools, and so much more, including what the author calls “story starts,” like this one: “She didn’t start the fire. But she knew who did…” This book may or may not show up at our first teen writers’ club meeting.
If you’re already an established teen writer (I know you’re out there!), you may want to take a look at “Writer’s Market,” found in the Adult Nonfiction and Reference sections of the library. This book is a comprehensive guide to getting your work published, including thousands of updated listings for book publishers, magazines, contests, literary agents, and more. There’s even a book dedicated just to writing for kids called “Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market,” if writing for young people is more your vibe. Definitely study these titles and put yourself out there if this is your dream! Of course, you will be expected to dedicate your first book to me, but that seems a small price to pay.
Well, teen writers, I hope I have somehow convinced you to join our brand-new teen writers’ club (which may not be a club), in spite of providing you zero compelling evidence about why you should. While I can’t promise there will be any broken glass, there will definitely be a playful spirit of creativity, support, and self-expression while offering space to share ideas and projects. I leave you with the words of poet (and genius) Emily Dickinson, which can be applied to writing your own truth.
Tell all the truth but tell it slant—
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb Surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind—
Emily Dickinson
Kristina Naftzger is a Youth Services Librarian at A.K. Smiley Public Library. Some days she finds writing fun. Other days, she finds it torture. She finds Emily Dickinson a genius every day.