Youthwrite at the edge of mountains...
July 15, 2007
I am just back from Youthwrite, a writing camp for kids aged 12-14, and 15-18 (split into two weeks). I took my six year old and she had an absolute riot!! My class, Fib to Fiction (or “Tell it slant”) was wonderful. I had so much fun with them. And they worked hard all week, in 33C and 34C blistering hot days. Writing a postcard story is not easy, even for professional writers. To write so tight it squeaks, and at the same time, tell an engaging story, is not an easy thing. They did a great job!! And we had fun along the way. So Dylan, Morgan S., Brian, Sean, Erin, Lauren, Jamie, Sarah L., Sarah T., Clare(whom I called, endearingly, Chloe all week), Will, Kirsten, Morgan G., and Colleen…thank you for your writing and your ideas and your enthusiasm. For trying to teach me what “emo” means. (Was Dylan “emo”?)
16 Comments
1. 'Chloe' had this to say: Jul 15, 2007 ~ 22:28 ~ #
Awww, Mr. Beeeeeeach. ( Lauren says it’s six ‘e’s ) Dylan’s not going to like that. If your truly interested in dictionary like defintions, Wikipedia is always the answer.
But congratulations once more for the Bipolar Express.
2. Lauren had this to say: Jul 15, 2007 ~ 22:42 ~ #
I came here to thank you, and not just for the class. Do you remember when you said to us that someone once told you to write every day for a year? That’s exactly what I’ve decided to do. And do you remember when Dylan said that writing is a form of emotional release?
...Thank you.
Even though the writing on my shirt is illegible (like all of your handwriting :P), I will always remember who wrote it.
Oh, and by the way, of course Dylan is emo. haha.
3. Thomas had this to say: Jul 16, 2007 ~ 09:19 ~ #
“Chloe”, Lauren,
Thanks for dropping in and writing! God, I hope Dylan isn’t insulted. I think all writers should be a bit “emo.”
Wikipedia says: ‘Emo’ as a term is now sometimes used in a negative and/or derogatory fashion, and the term’s definition is the subject of debate. [2][3][4] Emo is now often used to refer to a person’s emotion, personality, sometimes both, as well as the musical category.
AND:
When referring to a person’s personality and attitude, most definitions of emo hold that an emo person is emotionally candid, sensitive, shy, introverted, glum, and quiet.[6] Depression and broken-heartedness are sometimes used to describe the emo personality. The factuality of broken-heartedness as a personality trait stems from the opinion that emo music contains multiple references to unrequited love, emotional and relationship problems.
(Appart from shy and introverted, this could be Dylan, and a lot of writers I know. Definitely, I go through periods of emo.)
Lauren, Good luck on the page-a-day routine…Great way to get in shape as a writer. Good on ya!
4. Thomas had this to say: Jul 16, 2007 ~ 11:07 ~ #
Guys, sorry about going in and editing your comments….I jumped the gun on talking about something (you know what it is)....and so, adjusted your comments. I’ll re-post in a couple days, when it’s cool to do so. Ah….
Namaste
Thomas
Did I write “namaste” on your T? I probably did. Look it up. I think you’ll like this word.
5. ink slinger had this to say: Jul 16, 2007 ~ 22:05 ~ #
Sounds like you were a great teacher, and had a great time.
I’d love to get involved with something like this someday. You know, after I clean up all of the blog posts that make me look like a terrible person.
6. Morgan, Version 'S' had this to say: Jul 17, 2007 ~ 19:34 ~ #
Mr. Beeeeeach!
I LOVE THIS BALLOON! THIS BALLOON MAKES ME HAPPY!
POP!
... You know what comes next. I loved that part!
And your class was very fun indeed. I hope you come back next year, and bring your daughter with you! She is a very cute little girl. I loved her dancing as well.
But next year you have to come for both weeks! I’m going to be 15 next year and consequentially in the older camp…
And I hope you don’t put that picture of our class up. My hair was so frizzy then; I didn’t have time to wash it after Death Polo (in which a certain someone kept on pushing me into the pool)!
Anyways, I guess this message was just a long way to say ‘hi’, so I’ll get to the point now.
Or not. Hope to see you again next year!!
-Morgan
P.S. I’ve never really understood the exact definition of ‘emo’ either.
7. Dylan had this to say: Jul 19, 2007 ~ 12:26 ~ #
heyy Mr. Beeeeeeach,
dude your hilarious
but lauren; I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND
CHANSAW YOU INTO SUSHI SIZED BITS
THEN ILL GIVE THEM TO A JAPANESE RESTERAUNT
AND ILL EAT YOUR REMAINS... with hot sauce
but yeah Mr. Beeeeeeach thanks for the awesome class, ill try to trype more of my writing and send it to you
8. Sarah T. had this to say: Jul 19, 2007 ~ 12:38 ~ #
Mr. Beeeeeeach!
Wow, YouthWrite was amazing, wasn’t it?
I especially enjoyed your class, it was the one I looked forward to the most.
I’m not sucking up, don’t worry. It actually was my favourite class.
You gave us some of the best tips too.
As small as some of them seemed, they were actually quite useful.
Can’t wait for next year, I hope you teach at the 15-18 year olds’ week.
Good luck with your book!
9. ink slinger had this to say: Jul 19, 2007 ~ 22:07 ~ #
Man, Thomas, reading all of these comments, I’m actually kind of jealous!
I’ve never considered myself to be a person who’d be a particularly good teacher, but I wish I could have this kind of impact on young minds!
Congrats on making such a good impression! You’re definitely doing something right.
10. Thomas Trofimuk had this to say: Jul 20, 2007 ~ 15:41 ~ #
Guys, Thanks.
It was a great, great week. One of the best, if not THE best class I’ve ever worked with.
Adam,
Without this web site, I wouldn’t have gotten this feedback….would not have known if the stuff we did, the things we talked about, got through…made sense to my students. It’s so great hearing from them. I’m humbled by their comments.
Best
Thomas
aka Mr. Beeeeeeach
11. Dylan had this to say: Jul 22, 2007 ~ 14:43 ~ #
Rock on man
12. Dylan had this to say: Jul 26, 2007 ~ 19:46 ~ #
im getting doubting yourself to the bone on saturday
theres only one copy left in edmonton
13. Jamie had this to say: Jul 31, 2007 ~ 22:10 ~ #
Mr. Beeeeeach! Oh my gawd, I just need to tell you that you had the hugest impact on my life. You inspired me as a writer, and showed me that there ARE writers out there that don’t take themselves too seriously, and are willing to have a good fun time.
My dad recently stepped out of my life, and I’ve kinda had a tough time with older men, but you’ve given me some hope there. Just when you need it, some higher power steps in and helps you out, eh?
Anyways, I have been writing like a mad woman. I’ve never been good at writing short stories, and now I feel like I’m killer! The next novel I am starting (while still finishing and revising another. head/desk) is going to be written in pieces; at least the first draft. I’m also working on a novella that will be written that way; I’m excited to try it out.
Back on track, I just wanted to say thank you and that I intend to keep in contact. I would have commented earlier, but I was busy in Shuswap Lake, B.C. and Vancouver. Yay! It was killer. I saw the most strange and wonderful things!!!! Talk about culture shock to a small town girl like me.
Anywho, I just wanted to thank you, thank you, thank you, and hope you are doing well. I am absolutely in awe of how awesome you are. I’m sure my family is sick of me rambling about our classes already – and I only got back today! Haha!
It’s late, so I better go – but I shalt be sending you an email.
Talk to you soon!
-Jamie
14. Gail Sidonie Sobat had this to say: Aug 01, 2007 ~ 12:23 ~ #
Mr. Beeeeeeeeach?
Your balloon makes me happy, too!
Love you,
Gail xo
15. Morgan, Version 'S' had this to say: Aug 05, 2007 ~ 14:13 ~ #
Hey, Mr. Beeeeeeach! I’m not sure if you ever got my email about my mom going to university with you?
Anyways, I’m already finding myself waiting until next year. And I am not a patient person. I hope the magazine gets mailed out soon…
16. Thomas Trofimuk had this to say: Aug 08, 2007 ~ 09:39 ~ #
Morgan,
I’ll check my e-mails. That’s cool if I was in university with your mom.
Jamie,
If you don’t love writing, playing with words…then don’t be a writer. I’m glad you had fun….and learned.
I did have a good time with you. All of you. I’m sorry your dad stepped out of your life, kiddo. That hurts.
And yes, try the writing in pieces thing and see if it works for you. Weave it together like a movie editor.
I hope you do keep in touch. In fact, please keep in touch. Doesn’t have to be long letters. Just let me know what you’re doing….how you’re doing…
K.
namaste
Thomas