Are you an aspiring writer?

Whether its poetry, short stories, blogs, or news writing, check out some of these resources for writers:

"Ultimately, the point of learning about revision is to learn how to help our writing match more accurately what's in our hearts." --Georgia Heard, The Revision Toolbox

BOOKS:

• Writing Toward Home: Tales and Lessons to Find Your Way by Georgia Heard is a beautiful reflection on the writing life and the process of finding home and voice in one's writing. Each chapter ends with a prompt to get you writing.
• The Writing Life is Annie Dillard's reflection on the life and power of the writer. Known for her nature writing (notably Pilgrim at Tinker Creek), Annie Dillard's insights into writing are poignant and meaningful.
• Poemcrazy by Susan G. Wooldridge is a wonderful resource for poetry writers, filled with reflections on writing and writing ideas for your own poetry.
• The Market Guide for Young Writers, a book written by Kathy Henderson, includes market and contest listings as well as a section profiling nine published writers between the ages of 9 and 18. Also included are a glossary ("Words Writers Use"), an encouraging chapter on getting started, and a list of "Answers to Questions Young Writers Ask Most."
• The Teachers and Writers Handbook of Poetic Forms is edited by Ron Padgett and is not only a wonderful resource regarding the various forms of poetry, but can also be used as a way to broaden your own writing style. Use it as a handbook of ideas.
• The Norton Anthology of Poetry has been in print for many years and the latest is the fifth edition. Although this is an expensive text to buy brand new, there are many, many used bookstores that sell older, used editions. You can easily find this resource for under $10, and it is a must have for any poetry lover.

"We do not write because we want to; we write because we have to." --W. Somerset Maugham

WEB RESOURCES:

• The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing (http://nutsandbolts.washcoll.edu/) is a website and book put together by Professor Michael Harvey. Use the menu across the top of the page to find many great resources designed to help young writers with the thinking, style, structure, evidence, and mechanics of writing.
• Advice to Novice Writers (http://www.rimbaud.org.uk/aaipg2.html) is a web page put together by Mr. Dee Rimbaud that is filled with advice about how to submit your writing for publication. A great deal of excellent advice for new writers.
• The AA Independent Press Guide (http://www.rimbaud.org.uk/0001b.usamag.htm) is a listing of over 2,000 reputable American literary magazines and their submission guidelines. If you are interested in publishing your poetry or short stories, this is an amazing resource.

 "We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand." -C. Day Lewis

 

WRITING PUBLICATIONS AND COMPETITIONS:

• Teen Ink is an excellent publication sponsored by the Young Authors program. It is a web and print publication written by and about teens from all over the United States. You can submit essays, reviews, short stories, poetry, and artwork online (www.teenink.com).
• Creative Communications has already published the poems and essays of a number of Haverford High School students. It does not cost anything to submit; however, if you are published, you may be asked to pay a small fee to receive a copy of the book your work will appear in (www.poeticpower.com).
• The River of Words Project sponsors an annual, international, environmental poetry and art contest for children and teens. The contest's grand prize winners, students ages 5-19, receive a trip to Washington, D.C., where they are honored at an awards ceremony and public reading at the Library of Congress. Entry forms and complete rules can be found on their website (www.riverofwords.org).
• Next Step Magazine is an online magazine for teens which sponsors an essay writing contest about the teen experience (http://www.nextstepmagazine.com).
• The Scholastic Art and Writing Contest, sponsored by Scholastic Publishers is open to students in grades 7-12. Contest information and entry forms can be found on the Scholastic website (www.scholastic.com/artandwritingawards/index.htm).
• Student Science Fiction and Fantasy Contest is a short story contest sponsored by the World Science Fiction Convention. Rules and information can found on thier website (www.bucconeer.worldcon.org/contest).
• Resources for Teen Writers Interested in Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing is a large listing of short story writing contests put together by writer and student David Barr Kirtley(www.davidbarrkirtley.com/teenwriter/contests.html).
• Winning Writers is both a writing resource and a listing of writing contests. This site offers many helpful writing suggestions and interesting articles (www.winningwriters.com).

 

"It isn't success after all, is it, if it isn't an expression of your deepest energies?" -Marilyn French