“De Rien” by Abigail M., age 15

De Rien
By Abigail M., age 15

We took the train from Caen to Paris. As the train acquired an increasing  detritus of passengers, more and more people accumulated in the cramped compartments. I felt sorry for the poor souls forced to stand during the bumpy, jolting ride, clinging for onto the edges of occupied seats. After my guilt became unbearable, I offered my seat to the Young Woman sitting uncomfortably on my arm rest. She refused at first, protesting softly in French. Her petite facial features were dwarfed by a disgustingly enormous pair of sunglasses. She soon realized that I didn’t speak French and sat down. Most likely she dreaded a prolonged non-vocal/multilingual argument, as did I. “Merci, merci,” she repeated.

Two poems by Wes T., age 12

“I wonder if outside there’s a bird chirping…” by Wes T., age 12

“The outside world is so full of life today…” by Wes T., age 12

 

Poems & pictures from Do It, Read It, Write It

Teaching artist Professor Sepoc (aka Jane Snell Copes) offered a class this week called Do It, Read It, Write It. It’s a fun class, full of not only reading and writing stories, but science experiments. The experiments don’t really work in this format, but we’re happy to share some of the kids’ writing.

A shape poem by Michelle H., age 7

Shape poem and illustration by Ursula B., age 7

A drawing by Lizzy M., age 6

 

 

Wimpy Kids, unite!

This week, Kurtis Scaletta–popular published author & Loft employee extraordinaire-turned-teaching artist extraordinaire–is offering a class called Your Life is Hilarious: A Writing Class for Wimpy Kids, based on the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series. He’s encouraged the students to write with lots of humor and no obligation to tell the truth. Here are a few examples of what they’ve come up with.

A Zoo-Wee Mama cartoon by Olivia G., age 11
The Zoo-Wee Mama punchline makes more sense (which is to say, it still doesn’t make sense) if you’ve read any of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.

Another Zoo-Wee Mama cartoon by Olivia G., age 11.

By Owen H., age 10

 

A short story by Soren S., age 10.

“The Final Act,” by Grayson S., age 16

 Grayson took a Loft youth class last week with called “Writing the Dark” with teaching artist Jeanne Bain.

 Parents: this story was written in a Loft teen class. Content may not be appropriate for young readers. Please use your judgment.

The final act is about to begin. The spotlights focus center stage. There sits a coffin and saw adjacent to it. Standing beside the saw is Heinrich Hofmeister. A master magician, he stands about five feet, ten inches with an unnerving smile, facilitated by his mustache that is split down the center and divided into equal halves. His fiery gaze is cast across the audience, not a single person unseen. His hair is pitch black and nicely combed over his left temple. His teeth shine to perfection in the spotlight.

Writing and stories and video games–oh my!

You don’t need me to tell you how much digital formats have expanded the possibilities of literature and storytelling. Yet gamers often engage in a real life battle of wits with literary snobs who think video games are a waste of time.

Snobs, you may need to hold your tongues. Increasingly, video games are a medium for intricate and innovative storytelling.

If you like good stories and good games–or if you don’t!–come engage in a community conversation called Choosing Your Own Adventure: Where do video games and storytelling meet?

The event is co-sponsored by the Loft and Coffee House Press. It will take place at Honey on Tuesday, August 21, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Not to worry, teens and moms and dads, it’s an all ages event. For more information, click here.

Today in Organize Your Writing

Some kids don’t think that a writing class could be any fun, but here at the Loft, we’re determined to prove how fun and exciting writing can be. Today, we got some great evidence.

This week, teaching artist Holly Day is offering a class called “Organize Your Writing.” Imagine our surprise, then, to see how disorganized–and amazingly creative and fun!–the class looked as they flew paper airplanes around the room today.

A paper hat! How’s that for a way to fill your head with stories?
Photo: Rebecca Schultz, Loft intern

Folding paper airplanes and letting ‘em rip!
Photo: Rebecca Schultz, Loft intern