Launch of the Teen Igniting Writing Fairy Tale Contest!

Launch of the Teen Igniting Writing Fairy Tale Contest

Igniting Writing is now launching the second wave of writing challenges for teens to have a go at, in place of our regular sessions at Wokingham Library! 

The topic is fairy tales. Pretty much everyone out there is familiar with what goes into fairy tale stories, as they generally follow similar patterns in terms of their plots, characters, moral lessons and so on, but that also means it can be fun to play around with the expectations a reader might have. Fairy tales are often based on traditional folk stories too, which means that you can incorporate lots of other genres (tragedy, fantasy, horror, ‘coming of age’ stories etc). If you fancy having a go, visit the blog for full details of the contest.

Have a look at the Igniting Writing Blog for more writing ideas including the  ‘create your own session plan’ challenge.

The deadline for the fairytale contest is Sunday 24th May 2020. All details can be found here.

Igniting Writing ‘Distance’ Poetry Contest and Bingo Challenge 2020

After a flurry of submissions, the Igniting Writing online poetry contest and bingo challenge are both closed for entries. The turnout was really impressive, with a total of 30 teens contributing to one of both of the writing challenges, and several teens from outside our regular group members also got involved. Thaks to everyone that sent in an entry and below are the links to all the submissions received:

Poetry Contest

Adam Kim’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616040381956718592/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Annabel Jones’ submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616040500049461248/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Becca Hamman’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616040603131707392/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Cameron Clark’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616040960099516416/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Alicia Russell’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616041053025419264/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Amelia Silverthorne’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616041167260450816/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Anya Bensouiah’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616041336938938368/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Archie Lind-Smith’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616041473185660928/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Christopher McAlliter’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616041577039659008/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Connor Reed’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616041755144601600/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Connor Wilkinson’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616041909385871360/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Csenge Kertesz’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616042035945897984/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Daisy Bidgood’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616042116515266560/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Ella Donathy’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616042223347417088/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Emily Bull’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616043781951750144/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Emily Foster’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616043875297050624/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Evie Howes’ submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616043947103551488/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

George Pullen’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616044023650680832/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Georgie Poole’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616044119292313600/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Grace Wilkinson’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616044189330948096/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Harriet Butler-Walker’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616044273576591360/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Lara Groom’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616044341938520064/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Lucas Huddleston’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616044414649958400/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Noah Robinson’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616044495193128960/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Sofia Hopkins’ submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616044582751305728/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Tabitha Weaver’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616044665242894336/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Tara Thomas-Krstovic’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616044741304451072/igniting-writing-distance-poetry-contest-2020

Bingo Challenge

Adam Kim’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616045076516306944/igniting-writing-bingo-challenge-2020-submission

Annabel Jones’ submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616045213930110976/igniting-writing-bingo-challenge-2020-submission

Benjamin Gallagher’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616045432061214720/igniting-writing-bingo-challenge-2020-submission

Lucy Wright’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616045734697041920/igniting-writing-bingo-challenge-2020-submission

Sanika Kaushik’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616045920546652160/igniting-writing-bingo-challenge-2020-submission

Christopher McAllister’s submission: https://ignitingwriting.tumblr.com/post/616046187506761728/igniting-writing-bingo-challenge-2020-submission

It took a lot of thought to decide on a winner for the poetry contest, but eventually the decision was made to choose Becca Hamman! Becca’s poem was awarded the win for the way in which the emotions were built in throughout and the subtle hints of there being more to the relationship between the main character and their partner than meets the eye. Well done to everyone that submitted an entry and there will be more writing challenges on the way soon!

Igniting Writing, Wokingham’s Teen Creative Writing Club

If you’re between 11-18 years old, based near the town of Wokingham in the UK and enthusiastic about writing, this is the group for you! We bring young writers together to develop their writing in a fun, relaxed group setting. Our writing sessions cover everything from building settings and creating characters to exploring the world of sci-fi and beyond.

 

Congratulations to volunteer Alex Baker for receiving a civic award from Wokingham Town Council.

Nominated by Wokingham Borough Libraries for his contribution to supporting teenagers with creative writing.

Alex has been a volunteer with the library service since 2014. Alex gives up every Saturday morning to come to Wokingham Library to run the teen creative writing group which is open to all young people aged 11 to 18 in Wokingham Borough who have an interest in creative writing.

During the five years the group has been running, more than 100 teenagers have taken part in the group’s activities.

The fact that the group members consistently attend and invite others to join in is a testament to Alex’s dedication, encouragement, inspiration and unending enthusiasm.

Alex is a natural with this age group, something which is often remarked on by other library customers. Alex often volunteers to help with other library events not just in Wokingham but across the borough and is a real asset to the library service.

Quote from Alex Baker – “Since first setting up Igniting Writing back in 2014 it has become such an important part of my life – we’ve had over 100 teens attend the sessions, run events in over 25 schools across Berkshire,  led an international teen creative writing competition and had dozens of talented authors, illustrators, literary agents and more from the local community that have kindly given up their Saturday mornings to attend as guest speakers. Running the sessions is the highlight of my week and I’m always impressed by the teens that come and join in. Their creativity, enthusiasm and welcoming atmosphere is what makes Igniting Writing so special and the quality of writing keeps on growing. 

The Wokingham Civic Award may have been addressed to me, but ultimately it’s down to the efforts and generosity of so many people and I’m grateful to all the staff at Wokingham Library, who gave me the opportunity to create the group have been a pleasure to volunteer alongside. In particular, massive thank yous to Elizabeth McDonald and Laura De Moxom for the award nomination, Igniting Writing group members Katie and Esther for representing the group at the award ceremony and all the other Igniting Writing members, guest speakers, parents and guardians for continuing to support the group.”

Igniting Writing is a creative writing club for 11-18 year-olds to develop their storytelling and writing skills in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Writing can be seen as a solitary activity, so it’s a great opportunity for teens to come together and write as a group, share their imaginative story ideas with others and build friendships with other young aspiring writers.

Sessions are held on Saturday mornings, 10:30am to 12noon at Wokingham Library.

From April 25, 2020 the sessions will change to

• Year 6 to 7            9.45am to 11.15am
• Year 8 to 13          11.45am to 1.15pm

Just drop in!

Igniting Writing – Wokingham Libraries Teen Writing Group

Igniting Writing – Wokingham Libraries Teen Writing Group

Igniting Writing, Wokingham Library’s teen creative writing club, meet every Saturday during termtime.

Each week there are various topics, to inspire and encourage creative writing. The programme for the next few weeks will be:

• Saturday 15th June, Utopias
• Saturday 22nd June, Songwriting featuring Gary Kingham, a local musician with the band Mellor
• Saturday 29th June, Critique session.
• Saturday 6th July, Rap battles
• Saturday 13th July, Food writing
• Saturday 20th July, Writing games

To book call Wokingham Library on 0118 978 1368.

The group will be restarting on September 7, 2019.

Look out for the Summer Creative Wiritng Workshops with Igniting Writing

Fanfiction Addiction – Everyone has a series they love getting sucked into, whether it’s a book, a TV show, a   movie, or something else entirely. If you’ve ever wanted to explore Hogwarts, or write about Sherlock Holmes in a whole new series of adventures, this workshop is your chance to give it a go and discover an amazing range of stories you can tell with characters and settings you know and love.

Saturday July 27, 10.30am to 3pm

Once Upon a Fairy Tale –Classic fairy tales, like Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella, have been retold countless times. But what is it about those stories that make fairy tales so timeless? And how can they be reimagined and written in the modern day? This workshop will focus on the core elements of fairy tale stories, from characters to settings, and give you the chance to     create your own fictional fables.

Saturday August 3, 10.30am to 3pm 

Both of the workshop sessions will include fun writing exercises, group discussions and some useful tips and tricks to sharpen your writing skills.

There will be a lunch break, so make sure you bring something with you.

£5 charge, per session.

Places must be booked by calling Wokingham Library on 0118 978 1368.

 

Igniting Writing at Wokingham Children’s Book Festival on Saturday October 20, 2018

Teen Writing Group, Igniting Writing at Wokingham Children’s Book Festival on Saturday October 20, 2018

Have you ever wanted to try coming up with stories for a younger audience? Or write about teddy bears, chocolate cake and kids that get up to all sorts of chaos?

Join Igniting Writing, Wokingham Library’s creative writing club for 11-18 years olds, on Saturday 20th October, 10.30am to 12noon, for an action packed workshop dedicated to writing children’s stories.

The session will include fun writing activities, advice on how to make a story resonate with kids and the chance to share your ideas with other young writers, as well as the opportunity to write alongside the Wokingham branch of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Just drop in and don’t miss out!

https://directory.wokingham.gov.uk/kb5/wokingham/directory/service.page?id=Wi6ijfJao4E

 

YA Book Drop

Drop into Wokingham Library every Thursday in August, 2-4pm for our YA Book Drop.  Try one our weekly challenges and discussions, have a look at the recommended books for the challenge or check out other YA books from the library.  Fill in a bookmark with your recommendation, and see if you can find the book in the library to hide the bookmark in for someone else to find.

Challenges include speed reading, trends in YA, Shelf Help books for teens, book to film adaptations, diversity in YA, quick-fire questions, #CoverLove and more!

Join the Teen summer reading challenge, pick up a bookmark in a branch today, fill it up with stamps per book you borrow and enter our book filled goodie bag prize draw.

The teen book group and teen writing group will be back after the summer.

Igniting Writing – Wokingham Library Teen Writing Group

Igniting Writing – Wokingham Library Teen Writing Group

Igniting Writing, Wokingham Library’s teen creative writing club, have run a range of sessions featuring guest speakers from the local writing community. Here’s an overview of this year’s speakers…

• Author Julie Roberts, 14/10/17 – Julie shared her knowledge of historical fiction and the teens wrote their own, imagining how a person from the past would react living in today’s world.
• Author Katrina Charman, 4/11/17 – the teens were impressed by Katrina’s background writing children’s fiction and wrote their own adventures for kids.
• Poet Becci Fearnley, 18/11/17 – the teens tried some abstract ‘freeform’ writing, as Becci offered advice on performance poetry.
• Author Annie Murray, 2/12/17 – Annie discussed hooking a reader with a story’s beginning and the teens wrote their own beginnings using prompts from a hat.
• Author Andy Robb, 24/2/18 – Andy shared his hilarious anecdotes and offered tips on the topic of self-writing (eg autobiographies), which the group utilised by writing Wikipedia articles about their future selves.
• Elsevier publisher Emily Thomson, 24/3/18 – the group wrote fantasy roleplay stories as Emily explained how to create a fictional fantasy world.
• Author Claire Dyer, 21/4/18 – Claire gave advice on creating dialogue in stories, with the teens writing conversations between kids and adults.
• Author Nicola May, 5/5/18 – focusing on romance, Nicola discussed how to write a unique love story and the teens wrote some ‘meet cute’ scenes.
• Illustrator Cathy Maclennan, 12/5/18 – Cathy brought in her amazing sketches and the teens wrote their own stories to go with her artwork.
• Former journalist Francesca Perryman, 9/6/18 – the group tried fictional interview writing around a news story, with Francesca sharing her insight on how journalists conduct an interview.
• Author Julie Cohen, 16/6/18 – Julie spoke to the teens about making the ordinary extraordinary in slice of life stories, with the group writing scenes to show tensions and conflict in everyday life. 

There will ba a Creative Writing Workshops for Teens focusing on Worldbuilding at Wokingham Library on Saturday August 4 from 10.30am to 3pm.

To book call Wokingham Library on 0118 978 1368.

The group will be restarting on September 8, 2018.

 

YA Book Drop at Wokingham Library

• Check out the latest YA books we have in the library for you to borrow
• Leave a book review for the board
• Try one of the weekly book themed challenges.

Thursday July 26, August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

2pm to 4pm

For 11 to 16 year olds, Just drop in!

Why not try some of the following books:

Witch born by Nicholas Bowling

It’s 1577. When her mother is burned at the stake for witchcraft, Alyce flees to London. But it isn’t just witchfinders she has to worry about. Powerful political forces are also on her trail, dragging her into the feud between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. As Alyce struggles to understand her own powers, she is drawn into a web of secrets, lies and dark magic that will change the fate of England.

Moonrise by Sarah Crossan

Joe hasn’t seen his brother for ten years, and it’s for the most brutal of reasons. Ed is on death row. But now Ed’s execution date has been set, and Joe is determined to spend those last weeks with him, no matter what other people think. From one-time winner and two-time Carnegie Medal shortlisted author Sarah Crossan, this poignant, stirring, huge-hearted novel asks big questions. What value do you place on life? What can you forgive? And just how do you say goodbye?

All of the recommended titles can be borrowed from Wokingham Borough Libraries https://wokingham.spydus.co.uk  or visit www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries

Don’t forget to take part in the Teen Reading Challenge – https://wp.me/p5mHbU-3jC

Teen Events this Summer

Igniting Writing Summer Teen Writing Workshops

Ever wanted to try writing and coming up with your own stories? Or share your ideas with other aspiring writers? If so, you’re in luck – Igniting Writing, Wokingham Library’s creative writing club, are running a series of action-packed writing workshops for anyone between 11-18 years old to take part in!

A Hero’s Journey

Everyone has wondered to themselves at least once ‘what would my life be like if I had superpowers?’ and this workshop is your chance to find out! If you’ve ever wanted to create your own superhero and tell the tales of their crimefighting exploits, this workshop will give you the opportunity to develop your own hero, with a backstory, supervillains and more!

Saturday July 28, 10.30am to 3pm

The World of Worldbuilding

All book-lovers enjoy immersing themselves in a world within the pages of a book, like Narnia or the Star Wars universe, but what do writers do to create those worlds? And how do you turn a collection of characters and settings into a whole world that a reader can imagine themselves living in? This workshop will focus on enabling you to create your own fictional world, whether it’s sci-fi, fantasy or something else entirely, and build it from the ground up!

Saturday August 4, 10.30am to 3pm

Both of the workshop sessions will include fun writing exercises, group discussions and some useful tips and tricks to sharpen your writing skills. There will be a lunch break, so make sure you bring something with you.

£5 charge, per session. Places must be booked by calling Wokingham Library on 0118 978 1368.

Winnersh Library Gaming Club

Warhammer Gaming Club for teens at Winnersh Library

Every Saturday 10.30am to 12.30pm

£1 charge, Places must be booked by calling Winnersh Library on 0118 979 7519.

YA Book Drop at Wokingham Library

Check out the latest YA books we have in the library for you to borrow.  Leave a book review for the board or try one of the weekly challenges.

Thursday July 26, August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

2pm to 4pm

For 11 to 16 year olds, Just drop in!

Teen Reading Challenge at Wokingham Borough Library

Are you aged between 12 and 19?  Do you think you can read six books before the end of the summer?

Then join Wokingham Borough Libraries Teen Reading Challenge.

Collect a bookmark from any Wokingham Borough Library; you will receive a stamp on your bookmark each time you take out a book.

Starts July 14 and runs until September 11

One winner per library will win a YA book filled goody bag.

 

 

Teen Reading Challenge and Events

Teen Reading Challenge at Wokingham Borough Library

Are you aged between 12 and 19?  Do you think you can read six books before the end of the summer?

Then join Wokingham Borough Libraries Teen Reading Challenge.

Collect a bookmark from any Wokingham Borough Library; you will receive a stamp on your bookmark each time you take out a book.

Starts July 14 and runs until September 11

One winner per library will win a YA book filled goody bag.

Igniting Writing Summer Teen Writing Workshops

Ever wanted to try writing and coming up with your own stories? Or share your ideas with other aspiring writers? If so, you’re in luck – Igniting Writing, Wokingham Library’s creative writing club, are running a series of action-packed writing workshops for anyone between 11-18 years old to take part in!

A Hero’s Journey

Everyone has wondered to themselves at least once ‘what would my life be like if I had superpowers?’ and this workshop is your chance to find out! If you’ve ever wanted to create your own superhero and tell the tales of their crimefighting exploits, this workshop will give you the opportunity to develop your own hero, with a backstory, supervillains and more!

Saturday July 28, 10.30am to 3pm

The World of Worldbuilding

All book-lovers enjoy immersing themselves in a world within the pages of a book, like Narnia or the Star Wars universe, but what do writers do to create those worlds? And how do you turn a collection of characters and settings into a whole world that a reader can imagine themselves living in? This workshop will focus on enabling you to create your own fictional world, whether it’s sci-fi, fantasy or something else entirely, and build it from the ground up!

Saturday August 4, 10.30am to 3pm

Both of the workshop sessions will include fun writing exercises, group discussions and some useful tips and tricks to sharpen your writing skills. There will be a lunch break, so make sure you bring something with you.

£5 charge, per session. Places must be booked by calling Wokingham Library on 0118 978 1368.

Winnersh Library Gaming Club

Warhammer Gaming Club for teens at Winnersh Library

Every Saturday 10.30am to 12.30pm

£1 charge, Places must be booked by calling Winnersh Library on 0118 979 7519.

YA Book Drop at Wokingham Library

Check out the latest YA books we have in the library for you to borrow.  Leave a book review for the board or try one of the weekly challenges.

Thursday July 26, August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

2pm to 4pm

For 11 to 16 year olds, Just drop in!