The Nebraska Writing Project is sponsoring two youth writing festivals this year. The first is on Saturday, March 3rd at Elkhorn High School from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The second is at the University of Nebraska at Kearney on April 28th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Both festivals are open to any student or teacher grades 9-12.

Cost per student is $15 early registration: $20 late registration.  Registration includes a t-shirt, notebook, and pencil  (subject to availability with late registrations).

To register or for more information, including scheduling updates, go to the Youth Festival Homepage.

Youth Writing Festival Brochure

Enjoy!

Tell your friends!

Lori Gottula, a reporter for the Falls City Journal, spoke to the campers about the hard work and dedication that it takes to be a writer, or whatever you want to be in life. She shared the story of Sissy, a legally blind barrel rodeo rider from Falls City. Ms. Gottula has been writing a novel and screen play based on Sissy’s triumphant life.

Read more about her story at the Falls City Journal

Campers also received their Fine Lines Summer Camp 2011 T-shirts!

Lori Gottula shares what she knows about writing.

Campers show off their new t-shirts.

David is very excited about his new shirt!

On Day 4,

Julian Adair brought member of her dance studio to share the beauty and artistry of dance. She pointed out how dancing is a language all its own. Campers also displayed their writing hats for Hat Day!

David Martin in his Razorback Hat

Deron Larson and the other Camp Leaders Explain How Awesome the Camp is.

One of Adair's Dancers

The Troupe Creates a Living Sculpture

After the opening session, groups convened to their rooms where they wrote with their camp leaders. Then they all returned to the auditorium where David gave several homework assignments including:

1. 1. List ten adjectives to describe good writing.
2. 2. Describe what makes you a writer.
3. List what you learned about writing today! (Metaphor, Mozart effect, etc.)

Then several campers shared their own writing in an open mic. session. There were some amazing writers at the microphone today!

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is Flag Day. Participants have been invited to show up in red, white and blue clothing. Teddy Roosevelt will be there in the morning to start off day two of Fine Lines Writing Camp!

2011 Summer Camp for Creative Writers

Grades 4-12, College, and Adults

Where: Beveridge Magnet Middle School

When: June 13-17, 8:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Open the attached form for more information.

We look forward to seeing you this summer! Write on!

2011 Summer Camp form

55 Word Fiction Writing Contest

1st place: $100 and a one year subscription to Fine Lines

Edie Goodwin (Council Bluffs, IA) is a pediatric physical therapist at Loess Hills Area Education Agency in Council Bluffs, IA. She is a lover of people, has 2 children, 11 step-children, and 30+ grandkids. She believes in giving children the foundation they need to help them become successful adults. She dabbles in writing, piano-playing for musicals, and dreams of being a New York City Rockette. Of course, she’s not 5′ 7″ and can’t dance, but one can always dream! One of her greatest joys is teaching Creighton University PT students, who she hopes to steer into a pediatric PT career, so she can one day retire and just dance!. She has a wonderful husband, Bob, who lives with her long work hours and supports her outlandish dreams. She considers herself one very fortunate woman!

2nd place:  $50 and a one year subscription to Fine Lines

Peggy Adair (Omaha, NE) “I write because I have to. The very first humans scrawled their life experiences on cave walls. It is in our DNA to leave a permanent record of bits and pieces of our lives – to make sense of our existence, and to leave something meaningful behind. As a lobbyist in the state legislature, I write testimony and drafts of legislative bills to encourage state government to be more receptive to the needs of young people who have no vote and other people who have no voice. I am also a photographer, videographer, graphic designer, copy writer, speaker, non-profit board member, bird feeder, tennis player, cat lover, and matriarch of a grand and fun-loving family.

3rd place:   $25 and a one year subscription to Fine Lines

Deborah Ramirez (Oahu, HI) “To satiate a deep craving for personal satisfaction, I write. I don’t create delicious meals or complete crosswords puzzles. Unfortunately, I never listened to my Italian, Spanish, French or Japanese teachers. I hated playing the flute. I failed home economics and quit decades of dance classes. Oddly, I haven’t given up on writing, or it hasn’t given up on me. A few months ago, I joined a writer’s group in Hawaii. Our prompt for the week was this Fine Lines contest. I’ve been reading Fine Lines on-line since then. I write and review grants for non-profit organizations to pay my mortgage. During the day, I enjoy the company of background actors and crew members on the set of Off the Map (ABC Television). After I earned my BA in Communications, I wrote radio commercials for WOR Radio, wrote restaurant reviews for Here’s Brooklyn, worked for HOPE magazine as an editorial assistant, and submitted essays, poetry and short stories to various journals. I love discussing films and photography with my son who is a dedicated film student and an amazing human being. Mahalo for your consideration. Aloha.”

Read the top ten! Click here!

Wendy Lundeen is one of our Fine Lines Special Editors. She is a career educator, and her daughter has two boys, Dillon and Tyler, who have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Last year, we helped the family purchase a wheelchair accessible van for transportation. Please see the file attachment, which details their current needs. Fine Lines wants to help them again, and we are asking you to assist us. The boys, 7 ½ and 5 years old, are now both in wheelchairs. The family hopes to make a down payment on a handicap-accessible home, across the street from where the boys go to school.

Be gracious in 2011. Thank you.

David Martin
Fine Lines Editor

PETERS HOME FUND PDF