New for 2012:
FOUR different locations for writers grades 5 – 12
to spend a week in the company of expert writing coaches
and other young people who love to write.
The Wilson Center for the Arts, Brookfield (gr 5-8)
Mount Mary College, Milwaukee (gr 5-8)
RedBird-RedOak Writing, Milwaukee (gr 9-12)
Ten Chimneys Estate, Genesee Depot (gr 9-12)
Follow this link to learn more….
“This is not an official NaNoWriMo site, and the content has not been reviewed by National Novel Writing Month. For more information on National Novel Writing Month, visit www.nanowrimo.org.”
Photo by Bill Lizdas
To some, writing is torture. Some can’t stand to even have to spell out a whole sentence, can’t bear it. Their minds ache at the pure thought of it. Writing, to these people, can only be defined as agony. Yet, I am different. To me, writing is a light, at the end of the lonely black cave, a window worth living for; pure opportunity. And to write, you need encouragement, something that shows you’re not alone with this feeling, this picture painted in your mind. You need a way to get advice, help, something that boosts you forward, and keeps you from frustration. I have been given all of these necessities to writing, all in four plain, simple words. Red, Oak, Young, Writers. It has ignited and kept that light at the end of the tunnel burning. Now it can never burn out, all because of your support of the Red Oak Young Writers Scholarship Fund. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to write, learn, and move forward. I wouldn’t have gotten it, on account of my father losing his job, without you stepping forward. Thank you.
Keep the Magic Going Throughout the School Year
SUNDAY TEEN WRITERS’ CIRCLE
1-3:30 pm,
$65
(includes all 4 dates)
Sept 11
Oct 9
Nov 13
Dec 11
Participants bring in up to 7 pages of their writing-in-progress for feedback and support.
Facilitated by Kim Suhr, Director.
Download registration form
or
phone 414-881-7276 for more details
The final morning of Creative Writing Camp, 2011, found a group of enthusiastic (and a little bit nervous) teen writers learning about sharing their work with an audience from the master: program founder, Judy Bridges. They learned that it all begins with planting their feet firmly on the ground and then connecting with their audience to share the words they’ve worked so hard to craft.
Here’s what a few of our teen writers had to say about Judy’s visit:
~Judy was great!
~I think Judy Bridges was helpful in preparing for speaking this afternoon and made me more aware of things not to do that I have a habit of doing.
~Great advice and help (for those who desperately need it!) Your sense of humor: wonderful. I’m planning on referring to the pamphlet you handed out for future reading, including school assignments and forensics. Thanks so much!
~I love your straightforward, brutally honest attitude on writing! 
~I have heard many people tell me how to deliver speeches or read aloud my work. This was the first time I can honestly say I enjoyed it. Thanks for coming in, making me laugh, and managing to teach me something along the way.
An especially poignant moment was watching Judy connect with, Kendall Kartaly, this year’s recipient of the Judy “Redbird” Bridges merit scholarship. Here’s what Kendall’s nominating teacher said about her: “It doesn’t take a person long when reading Kendall’s writing to discover the maturity, depth of understanding and compassionate heart with which she writes. As an educator, it has been a blessing to work with Kendall and I believe wholeheartedly that Kendall will be a great addition to the Red Oak experience this summer.” We couldn’t agree more!
Many thanks to Judy for making the scholarship possible.
I loved the “white food” exercise!
Now I can use meditation and moving around to get through my dry spells.
Her exercises really got my juices flowing!
I really enjoyed learning about the ways she gets creative.
I liked having time to think about being creative outside of traditional writing exercises with words. The meditation really helped me feel centered and ready to write.
Joanne’s exercises expanded my mind.
I didn’t know that the 2 hours after physical activity were good for creativity. Makes me want to take advantage of that time as writing time!
The crossword puzzle was a fun way into a piece of writing.
I like that she acknowledged that every type of exercise wasn’t for everyone.
The soup can exercise was fun, and I enjoyed hearing the other writers’ ideas when we shared.
Our teen writers at the Marian Center had a fabulous visit with Cayla Kluver, internationally published author of Legacy and two other forthcoming novels in her trilogy. Cayla’s enthusiasm for writing was infectious, and she shared plenty of useful information (see below) about her journey to becoming a published author. First step: Write something really good! Many thanks to Cayla (and her “manager”/mom, Kimberly) for making the trip from Eau Claire to be with us!
Please stop by the Oconomowoc Public Library on August 10th, 2011 at 1:00 for a book signing event sponsored by Books & Co.
Here are a few snippets from the take-aways they shared at the end of the day:
… It was nice to hear from an author around my age who has the same problems I do, and still is successful. It really assured me compared to adults who seem larger than life anyways.
…I liked that she said she got writer’s block sometimes, too, and that she has a hard time trying to find time to write.
…I found her journey to publishing very interesting and inspiring.
…Cayla was inspiring and relatible to someone like me…[her visit] was the highlight of the week so far. I can’t wait to read her book!
…Now I know it’s possible to get published.
…She taught me things about the publishing and editing process that made it a lot more clear to me.
…Her book seems interesting to everyone and not only geared toward one group of people. I’m hoping I can get my hands on it in the near future!
…I was impressed with her creating success on her terms, then receiving the awards/attention that led to an agent.
…It was encouraging to hear about her writing process.
…It helped me learn ways to get through some of the dry spells I sometimes get.
“I wish every young person could spend a week at Red Oak. Since I can’t make that happen, I’m happy to help one hard-working high school writer experience a week in the company of expert writing coaches and other teens who love to write,”
~Judy Redbird Bridges
Through the generosity of our founder, Judy Redbird Bridges, one high school writer will be awarded a $250 scholarship to offset the cost of tuition for Creative Writing Camp, 2011. The Judy Redbird Bridges Award will be granted based upon the young writer’s enthusiasm for writing and teacher recommendation.
Those interested in applying for the scholarship should email the following materials to kim (at) redoakyoungwriters.com. SUBJECT: Scholarship Application: (Applicant’s last name)
An email letter written by the high school writer detailing why s/he would like to attend Creative Writing Camp and what s/he hopes to contribute to and gain from the experience
A signed pdf of a letter of recommendation from a teacher describing the student’s enthusiasm for writing and his/her writing background
Materials must be received by Sunday, May 1, 2011. The recipient will be notified by June 1, 2011.
Kim Suhr, Director
Portrait by Janica Yoder
Thoughts on writing from our sister organization for adult writers, RedBird-RedOak Writing
