Gimme 5 with Bailey Bystery, 11, Winner of River of Words 2008 Contest

1) What was it like winning the River of Words Competition, especially considering you were amongst the top 100 out of 20,000 entries ?
Surreal. I still giggle every time I Google myself =)
2) What do you love most about writing at the Writers Studio ?
No rubric! I can write anything I want. Also, it's like reading a book; you watch it all come together into a story.
3) What did all the media attention feel like ?
( Hehe) it was fun! I went to school and I was like, "I'm in the newspaper!" Some people even gave me the articles (about) me because they had seen me in the paper (but probably their parents made them do it). But everyone was really thrilled for me. At lunch they were all like, "Let me see it! Let me see it!"
4) What projects and goals are you working on currently at the Writers Studio?
I want to publish a novel =D And, I'm working on a 100 - page story for a contest.
5) How do you feel about the workshops and how have they contributed to your writing ?
Honestly, I just wouldn't write. That's why I keep telling my mom to sign me up; it keeps me motivated.
6) Has that win, and the subsequent Glen Ellyn Library win, changed you or your perspective?
I guess it told me that I really am a good writer.
7) What advice do you have for other writers ?
Umm... I'd say just write what's in your heart (haha that was sappy). And write what you would enjoy reading, because that's probably what others want to read too.

Select Writers Studio Accomplishments - Click to Enlarge

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New Writing Section Related to 2006 SAT Scores' Biggest Drop in 31 years

2006, two years ago, was the first year writing was introduced to the SAT and the section included a much-dreaded essay question, amongst other segments. Writing comprised one third of the total score, and according to a press release announcing the SAT scores for the class of '06, scores fell 7 points — the biggest drop in 31 years — for the high school class of 2006, the first to take the new version of the test.

SAT FACTS - Essay Subscores

* Fewer than 1 percent of students scored a 12.
* Average score was 7.2 out of 12.
* Only 8 percent of essays were identified as using the typical five-paragraph essays.
* Half of all essays were written in the first-person voice and received an average score of 6.9 versus 7.2 for all others.

*15 percent of essays were written in cursive, while the other 85 percent were printed. Essays written in cursive received a slightly higher score (7.2 for cursive, compared to 7.0 for those printed).

Fastfoward to 2007. According to The Nation's Report Card for 2007 while writing scores have improved, only one-third of U.S. 8th graders and 25 percent of its high school seniors are proficient writers. Further, the scores for boys were lower than girls.

GIRLS VS GUYS

SAT scores in 2006, showed that girls had an average score of 502 vs. 491 for boys out of a possible 800 on the writing portion, which included multiple choice questions and an essay. Females scored an average of 7.4 and males an average of 7.1 Girls again outscored boys on the ACT college entrance exam essay, also introduced in 2006.

WRITERS STUDIO - A SPRINGBOARD TO HONORS & AP COURSES & UNIVERSITY

What Does This Mean for Your Child and Writers Studio?

Writing proficiency not only gives a child a competitive edge in school but definitely opens doors at the university level. That coupled with the Writers Studio's commitment to having kids submit their work for publication, and compete in contests, adds much to a child's self-confidence and his or her accomplishments. Regular practice and learning the tricks of the trade will take your child a long way! The earlier a child gets habituated to writing well, the fewer bad habits they have to break, and the easier it is to internalize rules and guidelines. As a professional writer, who was first published at 14 and has been writing since, my goal at Writers Studio is working with children to get them into that 25% percent of proficient writers and keeping them there. Disappointments are also part and parcel of the publishing process, and are an equally important tool in learning perseverance and tenacity, which are keys to success. And to make it all happen, parental involvement and encouragement is vital! Writing is like playing a sport. The more you write, the more confident and facile, or 'natural' you become at it. Writers Studio is the place to begin that journey!

WORKSHOP SUPPLIES

Writing Materials - Note books/ laptops / folders with two pockets and prongs. Students must be able to keep various versions of their writing without losing them.

Sold at the Workshop on the first day of class: Organizers for Submissions - $ 7 each. Please bring cash or checks.

PLEASE BRING: FALL SESSSION

First Day: An object of sentimental value.
Second Day: Any object with a smell or a scent from teddy bears to perfumes and books.
Third Day: Any object that has a taste
Fourth Day: Any object with a texture ranging from a tooth brush to a comb to a sea shell.
Fifth Day: Any object that makes a sound ranging from baby rattle to a pencil.
Sixth Day: Any visual including photo, magazine ad, painting.

Required Texts

1. For The Pulitzer & Aspiring Author: The Earth Speaks by Steve Van Matre
2. For Little Shakespeare & Child Prodigy: A Child's Garden Of Verse by R. L. Stevenson
3. All Students: 2008 River of Words Anthology River of Words: The Natural World as Viewed by Young People