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ESD 114

Authors Share Enthusiasm with Young Writers at OESD Annual Conference

A theater full of young writers at the OC conference.

Author Ron Hirschi shows kids how to collaborate as writers.

Two eager young writers smile for the camera.

Author Ron Hirschi joins a table of writers as they all work together.

Young writers having fun as they work.

Orchard Heights students display their manuscripts.

Young Writer for the home page on web.

Over 300 exemplary student writers from 21 area schools had the opportunity to attend the annual Young Writers Conference hosted by OESD 114 at Olympic College in Bremerton on March 26. A similar conference occurred that same week for Port Angeles-area students.

The young writers came to the day-long conference ready to learn, to share their manuscripts and perhaps most important, to revel in their enthusiasm for writing. Chosen by their teachers, these kids had already demonstrated their talents in the classroom. Coming to the conference underscored their identity as writers and provided an extra-fun way to continue down the writing path.

The day’s agenda included multiple group sessions hosted and presented by a pair of published authors, George Shannon, children’s author and storyteller (georgeshannon.org) and Ron Hirschi, wildlife author and scientist (ronhirschi.com). Both offered students a double dose of encouragement inspired by their own experiences in the world of publishing.

Hirschi’s session required active participation and the kids got right down to business.

“We’re all writers so we’re going to write one of the coolest books together and by the time we’re done, you are all going to be contributing and collaborating authors,” said Hirschi. The over-sized handfolded book he unfolded stretched across the room like a giant accordian, each page a colorful illustration of scenery waiting for something to happen. When the students wrote vignettes about their own dogs or pets and attached them to a blank page of scenery, it created a collaborative effort with a doggy theme.

A group of Orchard Heights Elementary students talked about the conference over lunch. “I learned that it’s important to make the character suffer between the beginning and the end of your story, because that generates reader interest,” said 6th grader Alex Thorpe. Alex enjoyed the conference “because writing is fun and it helps me improve my skills.”

Parent volunteer Mark Pacheco was impressed when author Shannon told the kids that “no idea is a dumb idea” and “there’s no such thing as writer’s block.” Shannon advised students to keep a notebook and jot down ideas as they come for future use in writing.

For more information about the Young Writer’s Conference, contact Sarah Freitas, OESD Instructional Resources Coordinator, at 360.405.5832.

Pamela Merrill
OUTLOOK Writing & Design