WNY Young Writers' Studio
May 2013 Newsletter
A Tribute to Jenna, Monica, and Tish
When new writers join Studio, I often connect them to Tish, Jenna, or Monica during their first peer review for a reason. Each has a keen eye and the talent needed to offer quality feedback. Each is accomplished as well. This isn't what inspires my recommendation, though. These expert writers are also powerful listeners. They give writers the quiet and careful attention they deserve, and they offer measured feedback that doesn't overwhelm. They put the writers they serve at the center of their relationship rather than their personal expertise or abilities.
These are the sort writers whose experiences and personal accomplishments could make them intimidating to work with, but they aren't. This is what makes them valuable contributors to all that we do at Studio. It's also what makes them wonderful friends, effective teachers, and women who will set this world on fire.
I am so proud of you Monica, Jenna, and Tish, and I can't wait to celebrate your accomplishments and give you a well-deserved send-off in June. I hope you will come back and write with us often. We're going to miss you!
Love,
Angela
Connecting to Austin Kleon's Work
Middle and high school writers did a "book in a day" study of Austin Kleon's book, STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST, at our last session. I loved watching them find connections between our work with the Communities for Learning Dispositions of Practice and his ideas on what it means to "be" a writer.
Sharing Feedback on Our Story Maps
Eliza and Faith coach elementary writers to provide quality feedback on their pre-writing work.
Fast Maps and First Ideas
Thinking and inking about story structure before we dive into deeper details. These visuals reflect the first minutes of our writing work at last month's elementary session.
Celebrating Writers in Progress
Each June, Studio writers from both sessions come together to share and question all of that we've learned. While we make space for open readings and distribute our yearly anthology at this session, it's important to remember that this is a time when we focus on what's most important at Studio: we always value progress over products, learning over knowing, and questions more than answers. Our yearly celebration reinforces this.
Join us on Saturday, June 8th from 10am-noon at Union East Elementary School in Cheektowaga, New York for a day of fast learning and powerful reflections. Studio writers will demonstrate strategies, resources, and skills they have learned, and everyone will have a chance to read from their work. We'll be recognizing some important graduates and gifting writers with published copies of their work.
This event is open to all Studio writers, their families, and friends. It also serves as our last session of the year. Please plan to let me know if you will be attending when I see you next Saturday!
WNY Young Writers' Studio
Email: stockmanangela@gmail.com
Website: http://wnyyws.org
Location: 3550 Union Road, Cheektowaga, NY
Phone: 716-418-3730
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272910406027/
Twitter: @wnyyws