I had the privilege of attending the Young Writers Conference (www.youngwritersconference.org) at El Rodeo Elementary School today in Beverly Hills. I participated as a special guest, observing as a potential guest speaker at future conferences. I recently connected with this group after seeing a banner on a local elementary school in my neighborhood. After some research online and an encouraging conversation with one of the co-founders, I enrolled my 7 year-old in the 1-week summer camp at the end of this month. During our conversation, the co-founder learned I was a writer and invited me to check out the conference for 8th graders today.
In existence for 14 years, this conference is a young writers dream. It is meant to inspire and encourage 4th – 8th graders in their writing pursuits – whether it be blogging, novels, picture books, screenplays, songs, journalism, sports columns, travel magazines…. After experiencing the conference first-hand, I am impressed with all that the conference does to achieve its objective. It is well organized and managed down to the last detail – online registration, speaker networking and student materials.
I left inspired and hopeful after hearing familiar start-up stories from many of the speakers. I found community among the guest speakers and fellow writers. I gained new tools for my own writing and ideas for my own speaker workshop. I’ll have the chance to audition for a spot next March.
I share my experience today because it is another way that writers can stay involved with their craft, while providing oneself with opportunities for networking and giving back. I am thrilled to discover this writing related activity that has the potential to fuel and energize me, connecting me to the readers I joyfully write for.
Stephanie Dreyer 