Young Writers Share Stories at March 26 Workshop

Where do writers look for inspiration to create their stories, and what are the elements of a great story? These are just a few of the questions that an enthusiastic group of 440 third, fourth and fifth graders examined at the Young Writers' Workshop on Saturday March 26th. Every seat in the Scarsdale Middle School auditorium was filled for the opening of this optional event; a sign of the strength of the commitment to the written word.

The morning opened with a keynote address from Gail Carson Levine , author of Ella Enchanted, a Newbery Honor Book. She involved the young writers in an exploration of the creative process and someone managed to engage an overflowing audience of kids ages nine to eleven.

From there, each child attended two workshops previously selected from a list of 45 offerings. Topics ranged from investigative reporting, mystery writing and journal writing to fashion writing, covering breaking news and writing for television.

The staff of instructors was impressive, and the workshop brought together not only writers, but actors, comedians,

filmmakers, marketers and artists as well. Here are just a few of the people who helped to make the day a success:

Suzan Colon, author of Cherries in Winter: My Family’s Recipe for Hope in Hard Times taught a class on writing memoirs. Her most recent book tells the story of how her grandmother’s recipes helped the family to endure the depression.

Bookmaker Karen Reetz has her own bookbinding studio and led the group through the art of making a book.

Playwright Sophie Jaff shared her knowledge of how to write the lyrics and music for a memorable song for the stage. Jaff’s work has been reviewed in the New York Times -- and her play “A Shelter in Our Car” -- will soon be on stage again at the John Jay Theater in Manhattan.

A group from the new Picture House in Pelham was on hand to help students learn to be film critics and to translate

ideas to storyboards for films.

Drama teacher, writer and actor Erika Radin chaired a session on creating great characters. Students were charged with creating a memorable character and then writing a monologue to perform. Her cabaret, “Mom’s the Word” will

be performed at the JCC of Mid-Westchester on Thursday May 5th.

Digital innovator Gail Horwood taught a class called App Happy, analyzing was some Apps are just good and others are amazing. Then the group learned how to create their own App.

Writer Yishane Lee taught “The Art of the Interview.” Lee regularly interviews chefs, Broadway stars and Olympic athletes and worked with the students on how to ask the right questions.

 

In addition to the talented staff, 120 parent volunteers and 27 student volunteers helped to make the day run like clockwork. Congratulations to Leesa Suzman and her team on an extraordinary event.