Of Cupcakes and Confidence
The 15th Anniversary Season End Celebration of WriteGirl happened to be the second season event I went to and the ending of my first full season—a season filled with friends, writing prompts, and the thrill of having my first mentor.
Creating Character
By Saenah B., Age 14
Although this is already my third character and dialogue workshop, each year brings exciting surprises and guest stars. When I first enter the lobby of the Linwood Dunn Theater, I notice a rack of eccentric attire, from chic flapper dresses to fur-lined blue capes to a traditional German dirndl. Behind each outfit is a story: the women who irons her traffic officer uniform for work the next day, the bustling German lass with her hair woven into a dirty blonde plait. This demonstrates how tirelessly the volunteers at WriteGirl work to bring something interesting to the table every workshop.
Finding my Rhythm in Songwriting
By Arielle D., age 14
This is my first year at WriteGirl. I’ve gone to a few other workshops, so I’m getting into the rhythm of how things work there. Since it’s my first year, each workshop is new to me. It’s always something surprising and inventive. It feels nice to be surrounded by such creative people. You can feel the freedom in the air.
Creating Poetry from Art
By Savannah H., Age 14
Over 100 WriteGirl mentees explored the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens as part of our annual Creative Nonfiction workshop. WriteGirl mentee Savannah House, age 14, was inspired by a marble statue in the American Art Gallery named Ruth from 1853.
6 Things to Pack for NaNoWriMo
By, Addissyn H., age 16
It’s that time of year again. I’m talking about the holidays. Halloween haunts begin the best horror novels known to man, and family woes surrounding Thanksgiving give way to the next bestseller in the genre of realistic fiction. Christmas inspires a funny children’s tale about when Santa converted to Judaism, and New Year’s provides the perfect scene for a cheesy romance.
More specifically, though, I mean we’re racing toward November, which means National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is fast approaching.
This November marks my third year as a participant and – dare I jinx it – winner, which just means I was able to successfully write 50,000 words in 30 days, regardless of quality. Even being somewhat of an oldie at this, it’s terrifying. Somehow you have to pull 50,000 consecutive words out of a hat in such a short period of time, while not compromising your social life (however small it may be).
Quiet Sort of Strength
By Sandra M., age 16
As a 16-year-old still in the throes of adolescence herself, I can say with complete and utter confidence that adolescence is not a fun time. The dictionary definition says adolescence begins with puberty and ends with adulthood, so I have four years under my belt and another two years to go. And as I go about my school-filled life, it’s always a little disconcerting when I hear of girls roughly my age accomplishing amazing things.
I Saw a Girl Change the World
By Amanda G., age 17
I saw a girl shout
When they used her gender as an insult
the smoke in her eye
puddled like the smoke above cities
Una Forastera, An Outsider
By Reina E. age 17
There are times when I’m not very conscious of things, that I don’t fully acknowledge my culture. Because I’m only thinking in a human sense. For I am a human.
But I realize that we are each beautifully different types of human, and the culture I belong to is enchantingly rich and vibrant.
A Perfect Match
By Sha’terra M., age 18 and Nadia Vazquez, WriteGirl Mentor
Last week one of our mentor and mentee pairs sat down to chat about the magic of writing and their experiences working together in WriteGirl!
My WriteGirl Experience: Saturday Blessings
By Aunye S.A.
I was not completely thrilled to be spending four hours on my Saturday with a bunch of strangers when I first joined WriteGirl. I was in 8th grade and was already fed up with the programs my mother enrolled me in, and I was just sure I would hate this one like all the others.
On Keeping a Notebook Next to Your Be
By Madeleine C., age 19
I just finished my freshman year of college a few months ago, and there were a couple accidental but ultimately incredibly useful habits engendered in me by a somewhat unusual cause: the arrangement of my dorm room furniture.
You see, in my bedroom at home, I have a small nightstand right next to my bed—one usually filled with a couple trinkets, my alarm clock, and at least two glasses my parents really wish I would bring downstairs already.
But also on it are a stack of old, almost entirely unused journals.
Nothing but Support
By Noelle Cope, Age 18
As I was signing up for WriteGirl, it seemed like this would be a great way to find inspiration—and hopefully meet some girls my age who are into writing. There was something about this program that seemed worth a shot.
"WISE" - A WriteGirl Poem
Buy a poem. Help a girl! Donate to our annual Poetry Drive and receive a special poem written by a WriteGirl teen. Each donation (as little as $10) will go toward jump-starting our next WriteGirl season! PS these poems would be great for a graduation and/or Mother's Day gift! Here's a sample poem.
Top Three Things I Learned At The WriteGirl SongWriting Workshop
By Reina E., age 17
One of the most important things I took from this workshop is that I need to write from my experience—and about the things I care about most. If I write about things that are close to my heart, I can share what I feel and think with people, and I can do this on a more personal level. And that is what I love about writing to begin with—using words to communicate what I feel, and touching others with those words. This is what is so beautiful about writing.
Life-changing Women and Girls!
By Sneh C., age 13
The minute I stepped into my first Writegirl workshop, I was overwhelmed. I was speechless.
I can’t stress how amazing Writegirl really is, and I keep kicking myself for almost passing up the opportunity. I'm not going to lie, "shy" is not the first impression people get of me, but the truth is, I do stutter. I get nervous, self-conscious, and scared, and I get stuck in a shell I have to forget about. After just one workshop, Writegirl has begun to break me out...rescue me from that shell.
Why I’m Grateful for WriteGirl . . .
By Patrice G, age 17
WriteGirl helped me find myself. I’ve been a part of WriteGirl for five seasons. It was here that I discovered my gift for writing poetry. I didn’t know my talent until I wrote my first poem, “My Mask,” and a WriteGirl mentor told me I was very imaginative. I’ve taken the guidance and feedback and now I’m self-motivated and determined to continue writing poetry and exploring my talents.
Even the Most Open Minded Need to Loosen Up a Bit
By Alexa D, Age 15
Now, I am going to be completely honest. I wasn't at all excited to attend this past weekend’s journalism workshop, aside from being able to see my mentor again and visiting with a good friend. I’ve never had anything against journalism, just never paid much attention to it. But when I left Write Girl’s headquarters last Saturday, I left with a newfound respect and interest in journalism and all of the powerful women involved.
Interview With a WriteGirl
WriteGirl Mentor Bree interviews her mentee Sophia, age 17.
Sophia and Bree have been working together for a year
That’s what’s so great about those on-the-spot WriteGirl exercises. Normally you might not see the connection between a witch and a mirror. But they throw it out there, and you’ve got to work with what you’ve got. Sometimes you find that connection, and sometimes you don’t.
Top 4 Things We Learned at Mentee Welcome Day
by Heather, age 16 & Anastasia, mentor
1. I'm a WriteGirl Veteran.
When I walked into my interview at the Mentee Welcome Day, I couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and comfort—stepping from familiar to uncharted territory. It was safe to say that I felt quite shocked and even unworthy to say that this was my fourth year at WriteGirl. The notion of setting an example for the younger batch of mentees makes my stomach drop, but maybe it won't be so intimidating. Maybe all of the encouragement from the past workshops will give me energy. Maybe all of the voices I heard during the past four seasons will push me to speak my own into another mentee's memories.
Joining Forces: A WriteGirl Speaks on Gender Equality
Sharmin, age 17
Gender inequality has existed in every nation and every period in history. But here at WriteGirl, we are committed to joining the effort to stop gender inequality now. We want to encourage our girls, women, and male friends and supporters to stand and unite ourselves as Feminists against gender discrimination. We want to propagate equal opportunity for the masses and ensure that no one gender is neglected.