Teen Book Review- The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

 

This book is special and unlike any other novel I’ve read. #Acevedo’s protagonist Xiamora, a young teen living in #Harlem. She talks about her growing sexuality and how her family’s strict religious views of the world effect how she feels about her place in the world. She feels of being an outcast in her world but one day she meets a new teacher who introduces her to writing.

I love this book. I have to own it! There are a million ways that it’s perfect. I have to admit that I don’t read too much poetry but the way Acevedo tells the story of Xiamora through her poetry is beautiful and lyrical.

 

#The Poet X

Advertisements

Teen Writing Prompt 796

I didn’t know where else to go. I was cold and tired and the last time I ate was a few days ago. I walked up to the house and rang the doorbell…

Who is ringing the doorbell? Who answers the door? Is it an answer to a prayer or nightmare? Think about what the character wants. He or she is cold and hungry? So what happened? Be creative and have some fun.

#teen writing prompt # picture prompt #ya writing

Teen Writing Competition- Writers with Disabilities Fellowship

I just discovered this fellowship opportunity for disabled writers. Check out the information below from Rooted in Rights. 

Eligibility Requirements

• Must identify as disabled. You will not be required to disclose your specific disability; however, your application for this program will signify that you consider yourself a person with a disability.  Rooted in Rights is committed to amplifying the voices of diverse communities and advancing equity and inclusion, so please note that disabled people who also identify as part of other marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Must demonstrate strong writing skills (proper grammar and ability to maintain structure, focus, and clarity).

• Must be passionate about disability rights advocacy and dedicated to pursuing that work through writing and storytelling.

• Must be able to commit to fully participate in the Fellowship and meet all deadlines for a period of six months (July 2018-December 2018).

• Must reside in the United States. You are not required to be a U.S. citizen in order to participate.

Fellowship Work Requirements

• Write 2 blog posts per month (750-1000 words), total of 12 blog posts.

• Write at least one longer form (3,000-5,000 words), deeply reported piece to be pitched to mainstream outlets by the end of the fellowship.

• Attend 4-6 mentorship chats.

• Weekly communication on current and upcoming writing work via email, with occasional brief phone calls, Google Hangouts, or other accessible mode of communication.

• Feedback check-ins at 3 months (midway) and 6 months (end).

Application Guidelines and Procedures

Candidates for the Rooted in Writing Fellowship must submit the following materials:

• Applicant Information

• Resume

• Responses to the three (3) short essay questions

• Letter of reference

Go to the website for more information and good luck!

https://www.rootedinrights.org

Teen Book Review- The Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Wow! I just finished reading Tomi Adeyemi’s novel The Children of Blood and Bone. The story focuses on Zelie, a young girl who has silver hair, grey eyes, and the dark skin of a diviner – a group of people who has the possibility to hold magic in them but now it’s gone. People like Zelie are oppressed by King Saran, the ruler of Orisha fears them because at one time the Maji, diviners who have  magic used their power to destroy.

This book is like The Lord of the Rings meets The Black Panther.  It’s an epic journey that follows Zelie as she tries to bring the magic back to her people so that they can have the power to finally fight back. There are so many surprises , and twists and turns that I know your going to love this book because it really is a good as everyone says.

Teen Picture Prompt 795

Write a story about this place. This is a place we’ve seen in many movies but what is this place in your story. Is it a place someone goes to hide out? Or maybe it’s a place someone just visits when they need to focus on something without the outside world interfering? Come up with a story about this place and the people who live here.

Why would someone live here? Who lives here? #teen writing # writing prompt

Teen Picture Prompt 794

Write a story about this path and where it leads.

Teen Picture Prompt 793

Write a story based on a note left on a post it. What does the message say? Who wrote the message and who is the receiver of the message? Stories begin with a simple action that becomes something bigger. Be creative and have some fun!

#writing prompt # teen writing

Teen Writing Tip

Over the last few months I have been finally paying attention to #Twitter. I found lots of pitch competitions like #DVpit, #Kidpit,#ADpit. The following on twitter competitions where writers with competitor manuscripts create a one to tow sentence pitch for their books. Agents and editors look at the pitches and many writers have found their agents that way.

In addition to the ones I mentioned there are many more #Twitter pitching events. If you go to Twitter and search the following up can find examples of what a #Twitter pitch looks like and everyone is very helpful.

DVpit is coming up on April 25th. This pitching event is for underrepresented writers. such as LGBTQ, minority writers, and disabled writers. Basically writers who have not been given opportunities to have their books published. Don’t worry there are lots of pitch events so everyone DOES get a chance. Wish I knew about #Kidpit it was on April 4, 2018. Get a #Twitter account if you don’t already have one and follow hashtags above and find agents to follow. That’s how I discovered events.

 

Teen Picture Prompt 792

Write a story about this place. Is it an alien world? Perhaps it’s a fantasy world. Describe the world and the people who live in it. When describing the setting of a story I like to think about the rules of the world and how the structures/buildings add to the story.

There’s a reason why Twilight takes place in a town nestled in the woods and in a town where it rains constantly and why Divergent takes place in a world that has been destroyed by war and now has a wall surrounding it. Why does this world look like this?

#teen writing prompt # fantasy prompt. We creative and have some fun.

Teen Writing Tip- Pitching Your Book

 

There are many ways to land an agent. One way is to submit a query letter. A query letter  tells the agent about your book and yourself. Query letters should be one page in length. The other way is pitching. I recently won a pitching event at the Montclair Literary Festival. This pitching event, Pitchapalooza has helped many writers sign with agents and publishers, turning them from aspiring writers to published writers.

We were only given one minute for our pitch. The pitch introduces your story’s protagonist and what makes your book unique. I think it’s always a good idea to start with comparisons to allow agents and publishers the chance to “picture” your book.

For example the pitch for Hunger Games . YA Gladiator meets Running Man. Two children to each of Panem’s 12 districts are chosen to fight to the death in gladiator games. When Katniss’s younger sister is chosen she decides to take her place.