Young Authors Write Their Own Story

BRING ME TO THE SKY

There is a high-energy buzz in Jillian Mergen’s language arts classroom on Tuesdays after school at Tech High School. Students gather to discuss ideas surrounding their own literary works or a collaborative group writing piece. These young authors have found an outlet to express themselves and a way to explore their creativity. The after-school sessions are an opportunity to seek feedback and constructive criticism from their peers.

Students look at writing prompts on the board as they enter Mergen’s classroom, and take a few minutes to write a sentence or paragraph in response or do a group exercise by writing a continuous story. One person starts and then passes it on to the next person as a warm-up exercise. No one has writer’s block after warm-ups!

Junior Willow Ramsey, founder of the Young Authors Club, loves to write stories on her own, but she feels the need for peer feedback in the writing process.

“For the most part, I had this story that I was really invested in,” explains Ramsey. “I kept sharing it with Ms. Mergen, but she had things to do. She’s a teacher, has students and work. So, I went to the activities office … I filled out the sheet [to start a club] and went to Ms. Mergen and asked if she would be the advisor … She was pretty excited about it.”

The first couple of meetings brought in only four people. Ramsey persisted in recruiting her friends, particularly those friends she knew who liked to write and did so quite often. As more students joined, it began to formulate as a club. They toyed with the idea of writing publications, creating group-based activities, sharing stories for feedback and criticism. Then, the group just exploded with a lot of people showing up.

“For a long time, the group was trying to figure out who they were,” says Mergen. “Now, we are seeing different goals develop. I try to stay out of it as much I can, but sometimes I get excited and jump right in.”

Senior Ben Hanzsek-Brill joined the group this spring. He and Ramsey also participate in theater together.

“My friend, Willow, was talking about it,” remembers Hanzsek-Brill. “I said, ‘You know what, I’ve had some interest in writing… [I’m] a lifelong reader.’ It seemed interesting so I joined.”

Hanzsek-Brill always has at least one short story that he is writing. He’ll develop one for about two weeks and then move on to the next. The “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” is his inspiration, and he feels that may contribute to why he likes to try different ideas and stories frequently.

“Mostly, I have half-baked ideas. I come here and talk to people about them and leave with three-quarters of half-baked ideas, and I can figure something out from there,” says Hanzsek-Brill.

They divide into groups during their meetings: those who’d like to work on personal stories and those who are anxious to continue work on the group piece. Students writing the collective story are currently in the “world building phase” of the project. The story, which is described as fantasy with a little sci-fi, is a separate world where characters may be able to teleport, have some magical capabilities and are of a variety of different species. They’ve drawn a map of this other world to refer to while characters are being developed. The map helps the story come alive visually.

The students’ goal is to make their story become real for others. The plan is to turn their group story into an audio drama podcast so listeners can tune in every week to hear the latest installment of the story.

“The initial idea was a portal fantasy-type thing,” says Ramsey. “We decided eventually that a portal fantasy may be a little too much like ‘Dr. Who.’ We eventually settled on this post-apocalyptic fantasy world where we are taking fantasy elements and distorting them just enough to be unique and not like basic Tolkien characters.”

Tolkien is one of junior Gabriel Albert’s favorite authors.

“We want the series to be dramatic with a deep storyline with all these interesting characters, but with a sense of a jovial attitude behind it,” explains Albert. “We want it to be comedic [and] at the same time heart-wrenching.”

The group project has become his “baby.”

“I like writing. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always liked writing,” says Albert. “The idea of creating something that is wholly unique and impossible in a world filled with impossibilities … just appeals to my mind. To put these images that I see in my mind of fantastical worlds with great stories of creatures and characters … on to the page for others to enjoy is compelling.”

Albert writes his personal stories daily. He’ll bring in a printed copy of his story and hand it out to the group. The group can write notes, suggestions or corrections in the margins. The story he’s just finished will be going up on their website, Tempora Ranae, soon. Albert is also sending it to a publisher.

“I went through 19 revisions before I finished it!” exclaims Albert. “It’s a lot better now. I want to burn the original copies.”

What the students love, besides the group project, is the support from their peers. If criticism is given, it never goes negative. Suggestions and discussions are welcome and positive. It is truly a safe space for all young writers to share and bounce around ideas and concepts.

Thanks to Ramsey’s persistence, young Tech authors have the opportunity to become writers for life. They have a sense of support and camaraderie that will last for years to come. Ramsey and her club have paved the way for future authors to share their stories. Just wait a few years, and they might sign their book for you!

Stay tuned for the future podcast!