Student prepares to enter this year’s Big Write
The annual outdoor book festival The Big Read will be in Clayton on Oct. 11. Students who want to enter the annual writing contest, The Big Write, might want to use the dog days of summer, of course, to work on their entries. Submission deadline is Sept. 12.
The three top winners in each of two grade level categories: (1) 4th and 5th graders, and (2) 6th through 8th graders, will win $100 for 1st place, $50 for second place, and $25 for 3rd place, along with other prizes, and will be invited to read their winning entries before a live audience at The Big Read Festival. Contest guidelines can be found at www.Stlwritersguild.org or www.bigread.net. The Big Read site posts last year’s winning stories.
Last month, Claire Applewhite, who will be one of this year’s Big Write judges, talked to furture storyteller 13-year-old Madeline Marie Reichmuth, who was volunteering at a St. Charles library book fair.
Q: Are you a writer?
A: Yes, I love to write. It’s something that I picked up from reading so much.
Q: Are you a reader?
A: Yes, I love to read.
Q: What type of books do you read/write?
A: I love to read science fiction and historical novels. I’ve read all of the Harry Potter books and the Sisters in Time historical fiction series as well as “Chasing the Falconers” by Gordon Korman. I also love history books. I love to write science fiction with a historical twist. Right now I’m writing a story about a 14-year-old female vampire, Mickayla O’Brien. I’m on chapter 10 and I did a lot of research on vampires.
Q: What role does writing play in your life, if any?
A: I don’t know for sure exactly what role it plays in my life, I just love to read and write and it drives my dad nuts because of all the pages he has to print.
Q: Do you keep a journal?
A: No, that’s one thing that I am terrible about, but I do have a writing partner. She’s older than me and she edits for spelling and comprehension.
Q: Are you going to enter the Big Write 2008?
A: Definitely! I am going to enter because I love to write and I think it will be fun and practice for writing, even if I don’t win.
Q: What motivates you to enter?
A: I love to write and I like the idea of having to begin with an exact sentence. Last summer I attended Summer Advantage and I had to write a short story with a given opening. It was a lot of fun!
The Big Write sponsored by the St. Louis Writers Guild is a much-needed surge to get young people back into primary activities like reading and writing…closer to their inside source.
Annette Crymes,also one of the judges, has been giving a series of workshops for kids on writing and creativity and they’ve been eating it up!
I’m a judge, too, and I can hardly wait to read these entries. I know they’re going to be grand!
Janet Riehl
http://www.riehlife.com
For kids 8 to 14 there is still time to join one of my HAVE FUN - WRITE A STORY Workshops for aspiring writers who wish to enter the Big Write Contest. Contact me by email - judminer@charter.net - or telephone Julie Casey at 636-536-9783. Jud Miner, Facility Chair, St. Louis Writers Guild
Are these workshops free or do they cost money?
How long do they last and can you post a few of the kinds of tips that the kids will receive?
Thanks, jh
Dear Jane,
The workshops are totally free; they last about one hour and here is an example of a tip: “Don’t have to many characters.” If you’d like to receive a copy of the Tip Sheet and workshop presentation, you may contact me through my website.
Last June, as a representative of the St. Louis Writers Guild, I had the pleasure of interviewing young Madeline Reithmuth for the Big Write. She is a wonderful representative of the awesome creative writing spirit that I’ve encountered throughout my experience giving these workshops.
a.r. crymes
http://www.arcrymes.com
Are these workshops free or do they cost money?
How long do they last and can you post a few of the kinds of tips that the kids will receive?
Thanks, jh
— Jane Henderson
3:12 pm July 23rd, 2008