Photos from the October 14th Teen Reading at the NYPL!

JEFFERSON MARKET BRANCH LIBRARY

Many amazing things happened at the last reading:

1) We changed locations last-minute to the New York Public Library Jefferson Market Branch (from Barnes & Noble West Village) and we started almost on time.



2) As our readers read their prose, memoirs, poetry, and scripts, the audience (of about 55) laughed and gasped at all the right moments.



3) It turns out that our young literati are phenomenal actors, too. It was incredible to hear Lena Beckenstein's script read aloud so... dramatically. :-)

4) The editors of the forthcoming teen anthology of six-word memoirs came and answered all pressing questions, relaying info such as:


a) the book will be published sometime over the next year



b) emails will go out within a couple of months to all those whose memoirs they choose to include



c) and of course, you'll get a free book along with it!



5) The "Six-Word Memoir Blast" inspired the writing of more six-word memoirs... which can still be submitted to the website --and can still be featured and commented upon by others.




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My Favorite Writing Exercise and my favorite place in NYC

One of my favorite writing exercises is to pick five people I know and combine them into one person by taking five aspects from them. For example let's say one person is from Texas, then my character would be from Texas. If another person has blonde hair, than my character would be from Texas and has blonde hair. If the third person was a vegetarian, then my character would be from Texas with blonde hair and was a vegetarian. And so on...

I really like using this exercise because sometimes I find that it is really difficult to create a whole new character from stratch, and by taking bits and pieces from people around me it's a lot easier to create a realistic character.

One of my favorite places in New York City is Central Park. To me, Central Park is a very calm place that lets me think peacefully because it is so very different from most places in New York City. It is very beautiful with water and trees and I really love going there.

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Bethesda Fountain

Anyone who knows me would know that I have a soft spot for Central Park. It is to my belief that every New Yorker should, and not surprisingly, most do. Its lush landscaping and picturesque settings are simply inspiring, and therefore, Central Park will be the focus of my inspiration for this post. Directly on The Lake, is Bethesda Fountain - a beautiful scene that we should all be familiar with. Now while I do not go there with a pad and pen for writing, it is unmistakable that a trip to this fountain will allow you to feel inspiration literally seep into your pores and travel through your veins. I recommend going to Bethesda Fountain in the Autumn, perhaps even Winter, because that is when it can be appreciated the most. You may ask what the purpose of a fountain with no spurting water is, but just trust me. A trip in the Fall will make you smile.

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My Favorite Writing Exercise and my favorite place in NYC

Another one of my favorite writing exercises is to sit with a pen and piece of paper and follow my stream of consciousness. This usually helps me put down a great number of thoughts, even if they aren't connected to one main idea. I can then reread what I've written and look for a topic that I believe I can weave into a story.

Another one of my favorite places in NYC is Grand Central Station. What I love about Grand Central Station is the immense open space inclosed by the spectacular dome ceiling. It is a place crowded with people either trying to reach a destination or arriving home. Grand Central Station is one of the finest of New York City's historical sites and a place that has the potential for generating many stories.

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My Favorite Writing Exercise and my favorite place in NYC

My favorite writing exercise, is that in the morning when I wake up, the first person I see I have to turn them into a character in the story that I am writing

My favorite place in NYC is the botanical Garden.

-Jamie


I am thirteen years old and am going into the ninth grade. Read more!