Young Willamette Writers...

...are young people interested in creative writing who are currently enrolled in 5th to 10th grades. YWWriters have the opportunity to work with and learn from professional writers — and each other — through special meetings and programs in the largest writers organization in Oregon.

History...

YWW was started as a way or reaching out to young writers in the Portland Metro community. It began as the "Young Willamette Writer's Council" with members from 4th through 12th graders. This group not only studied with Willamette Writers, but also served as an advisory board for ways to help other young people learn to read and write. Eventually, the group divided, with a YWWriters group to continue in its support of young writers, and the "Books for Kids" program to assist in creating young readers.

In January 2004, we conducted a survey of the group and found that YWWs wanted more sharing/critique and more writing exercises. They wanted speakers on such topics as Journalism, Fantasy Writing, Beginnings, Endings, How to Write Dialogue, Song Writing, Plot and Character Development. This Web site is, in part, a response to this survey.

Who . . .

Today, most YWW members are from Middle School / Junior High, but we welcome students from 5th through 10th grades. Meetings are usually small, ranging from six to 12 students.

Many of our YWW members have won contests, such as Kay Snow, National Book Foundation Writing Camp, and a National Scholastic Writing Award, and some have been published in newspapers and magazines, such as "American Girl".

Why? . . .

There is a saying that if you lift a rock in Portland, you'll find a talented writer. Willamette writers believes that we have many talented young writers in the area as well. Just as their older peers sometimes need the support of a writing group, young writers do as well. Our aim is provide YWWs a way to build a peer network, help them hone their writing skills, encourage them to write, and give them a variety of platforms on which to share their writing.

Sponsored by...

Willamette Writers, a non-profit, tax-exempt Oregon corporation. Elected officers and directors administer an active program for adult writers and sponsor Young Willamette Writers to encourage and enhance future writers. There is one board member dedicated to Young Willamette Writers, Corey Stixrud. There are no dues or fees for membership as the YWW are supported by the Willamette Writers.

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