Writing
can be hard work. Sometimes words flow right through your pen (or finger or
keyboard), but many times, finding something to write or finding the words to
write what you mean can be, at the very least, painful.
The
library has always encouraged people to read, but more and more, we’ve been
encouraging users to create what is being read. Writing becomes much easier as
an adult if you have already started writing as a child. During “Summer @ Your
Library” this upcoming week, kids and teens will get to meet a few of the people
who have made a living with their writing. Hopefully, some of kids and teens
will be inspired to start writing themselves.
On
Tuesday, July 14, at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., singer and songwriter, Monty
Harper, takes the stage for “Hanging out
with Heroes at the Library!”
“My superpower is songwriting,” said Harper.
“I’ll be showing off that skill as I sing, while kids sing and clap
along, provide sound effects and guess the heroes from their favorite
children's books.”
Harper
began dabbling in songwriting just for fun around 1989, the same year he
entered the Master’s program in mathematics at Oklahoma State University. He
found he had a knack for entertaining neighborhood kids with his songs, and by
the time he completed his degree in 1992, he was fielding a slew of requests
for appearances at schools and libraries. Since then, he has released eight
titles on CD.
On
Wednesday, July 15, at 2:30 p.m., teens will get to meet two writers.
This
week’s program is about writing in various forms,” said Emily States, teen
librarian. “Whether you’re into hip hop, poetry or graphic novels, we’re trying
to give some insight into the creative process.”
First
up will be author G. Neri with whom teens will interact through a live Skype
chat.
Neri
is the Coretta Scott King honor-winning author of “Yummy: the Last Days of
a Southside Shorty” and the recipient of the Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet
Award for his free-verse novella, “Chess Rumble.” His other novels include
“Knockout Games,” “Surf Mules” and the Horace Mann Upstanders
Award-winning, “Ghetto Cowboy.”
Neri
will discuss what inspires him to write and how he comes up with his ideas for
stories.
“Ideas
are like driving at night across Alligator Alley in Florida,” said Neri “A lot
of bugs will hit your windshield, but every once in a while a real whopper will
smash into you and you have to stop because you can’t see clearly anymore. A
great idea will literally make you stop in your tracks.”
Neri
will also share his journey to becoming an author and answers questions from
teens who want to get serious about writing.
“At
the end of the day, writers write. Period,” said Neri “You’re either going to
find the time and the means to do it, or you’re not. I always say that if you
can live your life without writing, do it. If you can’t and you write, even if
you’re told you’ll never be published, then you’re a writer. It doesn't matter how good you are.”
Following
the Skype chat, Gregory Jerome, a hip-hop musician and poet, will lead teens
through a writing workshop and perform some of his own music.
The
writing program is for students in 6-12 grades.
On
Thursday, July 16, “Summer Cinema” features a Disney animated classic about a
young girl who disguises herself as a male soldier and bravely takes her
father's place in the Imperial Army. The film shows at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
For
more information about upcoming summer programs, visit us at http://library.stillwater.org.
