Winners of the Write On! Fiction & Poetry Prizes!

I am so proud to announce the winners of our Write On! Fiction and Poetry Prizes! This was a highly competitive submissions period and we received so many excellent pieces from young writers all around the world. It was a tough decision for our judges! Congratulations to all of our winners and many thanks to everyone who entered. It was a pleasure to read your work!

You can read a selection of the winning entries published on Word Smorgasbord literary journal.

More exciting news: the Write On! Youth Drama Prizes for short plays are currently underway! Learn more and submit your work here!

And now, without further ado...

Write On! Fiction Prize

Ages 12 & under

Gold: Suntali Donahue, “The Dream Portal”
Silver: Alex Zhong, “Hawk and Willow”
Bronze: Ada Sheeran, “Survivors”

Honorable Mention:

• Logan Chan, “The Fox and The Owl: A Tale of Cleverness” 
• Benjamin Webb, “The Three Little Figs: A Fairytale Adaptation"

Ages 13-18

Gold: Victoria Saltz, “Escape”
Silver: Anjali Zyla, “The Merry-Go-Round”
Bronze: Andrew Huang, “The Crash”

Honorable Mention:

• Sydney Anderson, “The Little Blue Dragon” 
• Aidan Chisholm, “Steps” 
• Vichar Lochan, “You” 
• Kanchan Naik, “To Mourn a Flower” 
• Daisy Wang, “Five Years Later: Bitter Is The Night”

Write On! Poetry Prize

Ages 12 & under

Gold: Macy Li, “One in a Million”
Silver: Elisabeth Baer, “Purple Moon”
Bronze: Samitha Nemirajaiah, “Whisper, Trees”

Honorable Mention:

• Rosalie Chiang, “Dear Mom” 
• Anika Johnson, “Take Care, Take Care” 
• Luca Pasquini, “I am from…” 

Ages 13-18

Gold: Cameron Moore, “Teach Your Kids to Swim”
Silver: Kanchan Naik, “Summer Angel”
Bronze: Cara Levicoff, “An Exposé on Time”

Honorable Mention:

• Marina Baker, “Growing Pains” 
• Michelle Bless, “Falling Down” 
• Sam Jacovitz, “Butterfly Effect” 
• Sameed Sayeed, “Tomorrow Never Came"

Congratulations again to all of our winners -- it is my extreme pleasure and delight to share your work with the world! And thank you again to everyone who entered our contest and opened your minds, hearts and imaginations to our judges. We hope you go forth and create more marvelous writing to share with the world!

"Write with passion. Write with love." -Ray Bradbury

Write On's Summer Writing Camp!

This year is the FIFTH ANNUAL Write On! Summer Writing Camp!

What: Students will have FUN while learning how to improve central components of their writing, including dialogue, characterization, plot and setting, through various creativity-inducing writing exercises.

Who: Students ages 8-18. Poets, playwrights, short-story writers, future novelists – all are encouraged and welcome to join!

When: May 19 & 20 and May 26 & 27. There are two time sessions available: mornings from 10am-noon or afternoons from 1-3pm. It is perfectly all right if you can only make one of the weekends, or even just one day — I’d love to have you join us!

Where: In the conference room of Jensen Design & Survey in Ventura at 1672 Donlon Street (near Target).

How: If you’re interested in getting signed up, simply download, print and send in the PDF of the registration form at www.writeonbooks.org. There are early-registration and returning camper discounts available! Proceeds benefit Write On! For Literacy, my organization that empowers youth through reading & writing projects including an annual Holiday Book Drive for underprivileged kids.

Hope to see you this summer!

10th Annual Holiday Book Drive to benefit underprivileged children!

Last year Write On! For Literacy collected nearly 1,000 books (bringing our grand total to more than 12,000 books!) that were distributed to various schools and charities including the Boys & Girls Club, Casa Pacifica, and Project Understanding. Please do your part to help children have a better holiday season. Help beat illiteracy and give the gift that lasts forever: the gift of reading!

About Write On!

"Write On! For Literacy" is a volunteer-run organization founded by author Dallas Woodburn in 2001. The goal is to encourage kids to discover confidence, happiness, a means of self-expression, and connection to others through reading and writing. The Write On! website features writing contests, book reviews, author interviews, writing tips and ideas, and more.

Want to get involved?

• You can mail book donations to the Write On! chapter headquarters: 400 Roosevelt Court, Ventura, CA, 93003

• You can also mail monetary donations that will be used to purchase books to the above address. (Checks made out to Dallas Woodburn.)

• You can start a chapter in your area! Donate books to a local charity -- Boys & Girls Clubs are usually very grateful for donations -- and then e-mail Dallas the total number of books donated which will then be added to our grand-total.

Interview with Robert-Harry Rovin, writing teacher to the homeless

A few weeks ago I was introduced to an amazing fellow writer, writing teacher, and literacy advocate named Robert-Harry Rovin. (Thanks to the wonderful Ilene Dillon, host of the Emotional Pro radio show, for making the introduction.) Robert-Harry leads a writing workshop for the homeless, coincidentally also called W R I T E O N, which proves that great minds do think alike! :) He was kind enough to visit the blog today to speak about the empowerment and hope that writing can bring into people's lives.

What would you like readers to know about you as an introduction?

I have a background of professional acting, singing and dancing in New York City and studies in Continuum with Emile Conrad, then teaching her work. I practiced Rosen Method Bodywork for twenty years and was a member of an Authentic Movement group for many years. Also for many years I’ve offered a program of the lyric poetry of nature as Green Man Alive as well as Yertl the Turtle and The Lorax for children portraying this archetypal character. Eleven years ago I enrolled as a student in Ridhwan’s Diamond Approach, a somatically based inquiry and meditation practice of self realization, which continues to be a strong foundation for my life.

Tell us about how the Write On! Workshops began.

Eight years ago I started a creative writing program for homeless people called W R I T E O N ! I had been working in a homeless shelter for years and felt that the depersonalization that results from people being enmeshed in the social service system was not being dealt with. I started offering creative writing classes to support people’s connection to their deeper selves and to nourish their well-being through self-expression. I combined the inquiry and meditation methods of the Diamond Approach with creative writing.

What have you learned through creating this program?

The creative work that has come forward also helps shift social perceptions: through the eyes of those more comfortably ensconced, the homeless can now be seen as creative individuals of worth rather than faceless abstractions; and in turn these souls without homes are supported in their ability to relate to the more affluent on a level where creativity and truth of expression are a shared experience.

I've been so moved watching people come alive as they discover and articulate their personal truth through prose and poetry. This aliveness has translated into all of us finding our deeper, more authentic voices as well as homeless people having more confidence and more success in advocating for a home, good health and work.

In your opinion, why is writing so important?

Writing provides an opportunity to give language to sensation, feeling and thought. Once articulated onto the page, this material is available for reflection and makes room for the next wave of truth telling to appear. Additionally, in W R I T E O N ! workshops the writers have the opportunity to read what they've written, then to receive only positive reflection of their writing, which further affirms the validity of their expression.

What is your writing process like?

In the workshops as well as at home or around and about, I write in a composition book with a black and white marbleized cardboard cover. Writings I wish to preserve I copy into my laptop. Occasionally I draw illustrations or elaborate doodles to accompany my poems, stories and essays.

Does teaching these workshops influence your own writing?

Extending unconditional acceptance to the writers in the workshops has had the affect of extending that affirming support to my own creative process, including writing.

What is your biggest advice for young people reaching for their dreams?

For young people, I would advise them to feel what part of their dream is most alive to them and to focus on following that aspect first; the rest will follow.

What are some of your favorite books?

Favorite books include Mary Oliver’s New and Selected Poems and Writing Alone or With Others by Pat Schneider. Right now I’m enjoying Speak Peace in a World of Conflict by Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D; Wisdom Jesus by Cynthia Bourgeault; and Working in the Dark by Jimmy Santiago Boca.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

W R I T E O N ! presents public readings of creative writing and also has an internet radio program (www.blogradio.com) where people share their creative work. Type in robert-harryrovin at their web site to select an archived episode; or Google "Robert-Harry Rovin" to arrive at the W R I T E O N ! page on the same web site. Check out some of our participant’s writings on the blog at www.writeonworkshops.org

Dancing With The Pen is on a roll!

 

The debut book from Write On! Books publishing company, Dancing With The Pen: a collection of today's best youth writing, has been getting a whirlwind of positive response!

• "A massive variety of writings, each one bursting with youthful exuberance and wonderful imagination. If you're looking for a fun and creative read, this book comes highly recommended!"

• "It's great to see kids who are utilizing their creative side and helping to make the world a more magical place. The stories they have created transcend age, you don't have to be a kid to enjoy this collection!"

• "Publishing so many diverse and interesting stories is sure to spark a lifelong love affair with writing within these kids. It is also a treat for us as readers, to gain an insight into what this upcoming generation is thinking and feeling."

Here's an excerpt from a stellar review that recently appeared in LA Parent magazine. (Read the full review here.)

There’s just something so honest and pure about stories and poems from a child or teen’s point of view. But don’t be mistaken, these are not amateurish writings; rather they are high quality written pieces from some very talented young writers. While reading the book, you’ll experience a gamut of emotions from laughter to tears and from surprise to awe. Some of the stories and poems are so wisely penned, I had to double check the ages of the writers in their short bios.

-- Debbie Glade, LA Parent Magazine

Dancing With The Pen has also been featured on the following media outlets:

• Ink Slinger's Whimsey

• The Golden Pathway

• Author Exchange Blog

• The Writer's Hotspot

• The Desert News & Telegraph (March 2011)

Dancing With The Pen even rose to a #2 ranking on Amazon.com in the "literature anthologies" category! (Order the book on Amazon here.)

Please take a few seconds to "like" our Amazon page!

And, if you have a few minutes and could write a review on Amazon, that would be fantastic!

You can also follow Dancing With The Pen on Facebook and Twitter.

We're now featured on Goodreads, too!

Discounted bulk orders are available at the Write On! website: www.writeonbooks.org.

Write On! Contest Winners

We received more than 250 entries from all across the U.S., and even as far away as the U.K. and New Zealand! Thank you to everyone who entered, and congratulations to all our winners!

Short Story Contest

Middle School (6^th – 8^th grade):

1. Audrey Larson, "Tornado Watch"

2. Kienna Kulzer, "For The First Time in a Long Time"

3. Jesse Rubin, "Warrior"

H.M. Katelyn Larger, "My Old Dog"

H.M. Grace Euphrat Weston, "Rain"

H.M. Bernadette Augello, "The Familiar Stranger"

H.M. Zoe Appleby, "The Wolf's Defense"

H.M. Abigail Honaker, "Lightning Bugs"

H.M. Emily Saunders, "Anyone Can Make It"

H.M. Taylor Busse, "Socks"

H.M. Kendra Ellis, "Just Like That"

H.M. Josie St. Myers, "Wind"

High School (9^th – 12^th grade):

1. Emma Elisabeth Fosso McNairy, "Untitled"

2. Lucia Kemeng Chen, "Take My Hand"

3. Ioana Grosu, "Victory"

H.M. Danielle Lemmons, "Just One Day"

Poetry Contest

Elementary School (5^th grade and under):

1. Regina Vestuti, "The Accidental Valentine"

2. Juliet McLachlan, "Instructions for the landscape"

3. Sidney Hirschman, "I Live in Song"

H.M. Bethany Krupicka, "The Things You Say"

H.M. Emily Amaro, "Lightning Strikes"

Middle School (6^th – 8^th grade):

1. Zoe Appleby, "Horse of Stone”

2. Robyn Dickason, "Untitled"

3. Ivy Pike, "The Beach"

H.M. Kaylin Barr, "Quiet, But Determined"

H.M. Gianne Braza, "Nature's Beauty"

H.M. Madison Watkins, "Mom"

H.M. Austin Rogers, “All is Well”

High School (9^th – 12^th grade):

1. Mirriam Neal, "Pegasus and Bellaphon"

2. Kayleigh Sephton, "The Perfect Dance"

3. Emily Nelson, "The Silver Rose"

H.M. Anna Geare, "Beauty Through The Fall"

H.M. Emma Elisabeth Fosso McNairy, "Real"

H.M. Gillian Zia Rutherfod Wenzel, "The Blue Room"

H.M. Janelle Jewell-Roth, "Lápiz”

H.M. Leighton Suen, "I Let Go of You"

H.M. Cadie Underwood, "Without You"

H.M. Korina Chilcoat, "What Makes You Happy?"

Essay Contest

Elementary School (5^th grade and under):

1. Ninad Mahajan, "The Fantastic Trip"

2. Nicole Bellmore, "The Humpback Whale"

Middle School (6^th – 8^th grade):

1. Isabella Spaulding, "My Journey"

2. Stephanie Latos, "On Top of the World"

High School (9^th – 12^th grade):

1. Emma Elisabeth Fosso McNairy, "Untitled"

Vote for Write On!!!

Hi everyone! I have some VERY exciting news, and a favor to ask of you:

My literacy organization Write On! is up for a $5,000 grant from Glamour Magazine/Sally Hansen! Now is voting time, and votes are a big factor. Each person can only vote once.

I'm really trying to spread the word because this would be SO huge for Write On! It would help us create more Holiday Book Drive Chapters, award more scholarships, and get more kids excited about reading and writing!

Here's the link to vote: http://www.glamalert.com/sally/

You have to give your name and contact info so they can make sure each person only votes once. They say they won't use your info or give it to anyone, but of course if you don't want to, I understand.

However, if you do feel comfortable voting, and spreading the word to your friends -- even to just two or three people who you know would vote -- that would be fantastic!!!

Here's the link again: http://www.glamalert.com/sally/

Write On For Literacy's Ninth Annual Holiday Book Drive to benefit children in need!

Last year we collected hundreds of books that were distributed to various schools and charities including the Boys & Girls Club, Casa Pacifica, and Project Understanding. Please do your part to help kids have a better holiday season. Give the gift that lasts forever: the gift of reading!

Want to get involved?

• You can mail book donations to the Write On! chapter headquarters: 400 Roosevelt Court, Ventura, CA, 93003

• You can also mail monetary donations that will be used to purchase books to the above address. (Checks made out to Dallas Woodburn.)

• You can start a chapter in your area! Donate books to a local charity -- Boys & Girls Clubs are usually very grateful for donations -- and then e-mail me the total number of books donated which will then be added to our grand-total.

Vote for Write On! to get a $1,000 grant for literacy!

Write On! For Literacy is one of thirty teams in the running for fifteen $1,000 prizes offered by Ralph Lauren through the Ashoka Youth Venture Program.

We need your help!

All you have to do is click on the link below, scroll down the list, and vote for Write On!

http://www.rugby.com/newsroom/blog_post.aspx?id=ace1f4b2-2cc6-44e3-b109-03cc94ea993e&cat=6d3287ed-c1e1-4d01-8717-544c4efbb8b9

If we are selected, the prize money will be used to purchase brand-new books to give to underprivileged kids through our annual Holiday Book Drive.

Thanks for your help! Tell all your friends! Voting ends JUNE 30th.

http://www.rugby.com/newsroom/blog_post.aspx?id=ace1f4b2-2cc6-44e3-b109-03cc94ea993e&cat=6d3287ed-c1e1-4d01-8717-544c4efbb8b9

New Write On! Website

Check out my new and improved Write On! website.

www.writeonbooks.org

* Get published
* Enter writing contests
* Read book reviews
* Join the Holiday Book Drive
* Register for Writing Camp
* Subscribe to the Write On! newsletter.
* Buy my books
* Find cool links to other websites

I'd love to hear what you think of my new site!

Guest on Radio Show

Recently I was honored to be a guest on The Homeschool Companion Radio Show to talk about the cartoon I write for Listen Magazine, "Windermere Blogosphere." I also talked with the delightful hosts Rose and Candy about following my passion, overcoming rejection and disappointment, and lessons I've learned through my nonprofit literacy foundation "Write On!". You can listen to the full interview at this link:

http://www.lifetalk.net/media/HSCompanion/mp3/HS080924.mp3

Big thanks to Rose, Candy, and my amazing editor Celeste Perrino-Walker!

Article in Ventura County Star

The Ventura County Star has always been so supportive of me and my writing endeavors, and today the newspaper published an article about my upcoming writing camp. You can read it here:

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/06/young-writer-shares-craft/

Thank you to Julie Price of the Ventura County Star, Jeff Dransfeldt for writing a wonderful story (and for being a great friend), and Eric Parsons for taking such a fabulous photo portrait.

"Write On!" Summer Writing Camp

Calling all young writers! I am teaching a summer writing camp for youth ages 8-18. The workshops will be held on consecutive weekends, August 9, 10 and 17, from 2 to 4 p.m., in the conference room at Jensen Design and Survey at 1672 Donlon Street in Ventura.

Students will not only have FUN, they will also learn how to improve central components of their writing, including dialogue, characterization, plot and setting, through various creativity-inducing writing exercises. Poets, playwrights, short-story writers, novelists – all are encouraged and welcome to join!

The cost is $125 per student, but I am offering a SPECIAL discounted rate of $100 to the first ten kids to register. A portion of the money raised will go towards my nonprofit literacy organization “Write On!” (www.zest.net/writeon.)

* * *

Here’s what teachers and students have to say:

“Thank you so much for sharing your story with our students. My fifth graders came back to my room just bursting with enthusiasm. It was wonderful for them to hear from a young adult about her joy of writing. Thank you for encouraging our kids.”

-- Lisa Harvill, Poinsettia Elementary School, 5th grade Language Arts teacher

“What you said really inspired me. I love to write and think that it's really amazing how you published your first book.”

-- Ashleigh, 7th grade student

“Hi Dallas, I'm Bianca. You came to my school today, and let me tell you me and my friends were talking about how much you inspired us to write so I wanted to thank you so much for inspiring us to write.”

-- Bianca Rodriguez, 6th grade student

“Thanks again for taking the time to share your passions and inspire the next generation! I love the connection you make with kids by just being yourself!”

-- Stacy Eckstrom, Poinsettia Elementary School, 3rd grade teacher

* * *

My teaching experience: workshop instructor and coordinator of the Young Writers Program of the Santa Barbara Writers Conference for the past three years; guest speaker at the Jack London Writers Camp in San Jose; online workshop instructor at http://absynthemuse.com; speaker at dozens of schools, ranging from elementary school to high school; teacher of private writing workshops for the past four years.

My writing experience: I recently signed a contract with the highly regarded agency Foundry + Media to represent my novel, The Identity Theft of Dani Norhall. I am also the author of two self-published collections of short stories. My first, There’s a Huge Pimple On My Nose, was published when I was ten years old and has now sold more than 1,100 copies; and my latest, 3 a.m., was featured on the nationally syndicated PBS book talk show Between the Lines. I have also written for numerous national publications, including Family Circle, Writer’s Digest, The Writer, Cicada, Justine, Listen, and my work has appeared in four Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies.

To register or get more information, call me at 805-889-5570 or e-mail me at dallaswoodburn@aol.com.