LEI has 'The Write Stuff' for December
Lake Erie Ink (LEI), the local writing space for youth in the former Coventry School building, is offering several opportunities for creative expression in December. On Dec. 4, LEI is holding a college essay workshop for interested teens. Evening Ink workshops will be held on Dec. 6 and Dec. 13, and there will be an Open Mic Night on Dec. 15. Over winter break, LEI will host Creative Play Days for students in grades 2–5.
Jill Levin, LEI's program director, believes that creative expression outside academic work “provides a chance [for youngsters] to make something entirely apart from the context of grades or adult approval, allowing kids to explore more about themselves.” She thinks school breaks are a great time for writing.
As a way to inspire young people who love to tell stories, LEI provides a few writing prompts to help get creativity flowing during winter break:
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single Dragon in possession of a good hoard, must be in want of a mate. This prompt comes from writing-prompt-s.tumblr.com/, a veritable gold mine of funny and strange writing prompts.
If historical fiction interests the young writer in your house, LEI suggests the following prompt: Write a scene in which a favorite historical figure is guided to greatness by an imp residing behind his or her ear.
Roots and Branches is the theme for this year’s Lake Erie Ink teen book project. Greater Cleveland teens in grades 6–12 are welcome to submit any writing or art based on this theme. Organized and edited by a teen board, the book will be published in the spring.
For more information on LEI’s December events and writing programs for youth, go to www.lakeerieink.org.
Maya Watkins
Maya Watkins is a staff member at Lake Erie Ink.