Writing is not a solo activity
Why are writing contests in our community important for our children?
Even though ‘contest’ brings ‘reward’ to our mind automatically, ‘reward’ is not what gives every contest meaning. A contest can be an incentive to embark on a journey of exploration, look inside ourselves and outside ourselves, work on skills and become part of a community who understands and accepts each other. In this way, a writing contest can mean building community – supportive and accessible – where our children can express themselves in written words and share their passion without hesitation. This is the effect of the Folkwise Summer Writing Contest, in which I am proud to be a judge and mentor.
Before a story is born from the writer’s pen (or fingers on a keyboard), it usually starts with the formation of ideas drawn from many different influences. Even though writing looks like a solo activity, it requires more than one person, one perspective, one experience to influence and build the ideas behind it. It’s part of the process but also part of the outcome, because once the story is realized, it becomes a new version every time a new reader reads it and relates it to them.
We are social beings who are inclined to share our life experience through storytelling. The act of writing and reading are part of our nature to express ourselves to understand who we are, who everyone else is, how we all fit together and why we go through what we go through. Having people who share our passion for the art of storytelling takes our interest to a whole new level which makes creating a supportive community even more attainable.
As a child growing up in Turkey, I was writing to understand who I am and not willing to share my writing. Later on, while living in the United States, I enrolled at the Adult School in Montclair, New Jersey. One of my teachers, Madeline Tiger, opened up her home to us, her students. We got together to share our passion and look for Madeline’s guidance on our writing. It became a regular event, and she even invited us to the houses of other writers she knew in the community.
I remember the book signings and readings I attended with my dear friend and writer Maria Modrovich in New York City. She gave me the opportunity to observe her writing and publishing experience. She made it accessible to me and inspired me to start a reading circle at Bistrouge, my restaurant and bar in Manhattan, to welcome local writers and readers.
When I was writing the stories that turned out to be part of Jumping on the Drips, my dear friend Leeza Osipenko was my honest reader. If I skipped a week to send her a new story, she used to say, “Where is my story to read over my Sunday coffee?”
When my dear friend Amanda Staab asked me if I wanted to be a judge for the writing contest for the students going into the 6th through 8th grades last year, I was honored to be part of it and enjoyed reading every entry. I was intrigued and delighted by the creativity the contestants applied so skillfully. This year, in addition to students in Glen Ridge, the contest also is open to students in Montclair and Bloomfield. Thanks to Amanda and Folkwise Communications for expanding the reach to more children in our local area.
Like last year, this year we – the judges and past and present winners – will meet at the awards ceremony outside in a community garden, where we will talk about writing and life. We will nourish who we are as writers as well as human beings and a larger community. We will remember that writing is not a solo activity.
For more information on the contest, please visit: Summer Writing Contest | Folkwise Communications | Glen Ridge, NJ
Eda Uzuncakara
IG: eda.u.kara
sparksinshadows@gmail.com
