Write by the Rails (WBTR), the Prince William and Manassas Chapter of the Virginia Writing Club, is planning its first Rising Writers Workshop for young writers at the Trinity Episcopal Church at 9325 West Street in Old Town Manassas, March 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Aimed at local writers aged 13 to 24, the workshop costs $25 per person.
Working with young people has been part of WBTR mission from the start, said member and Northern Virginia Community College writing teacher, June Forte.
“Write by the Rails is committed to raising the imprint of the dynamic local literary community and helping it to flourish,” Forte said “The Rising Writers Workshop allows us to not only identify and connect with our next generation of writers, but provides us an opportunity to help develop their talents in a nurturing and encouraging environment.”
The objective of the workshop is to provide young writers in Prince William County and the City of Manassas, Manassas Park and the surrounding jurisdictions the opportunity to dialogue and share knowledge of writing with writers of all ages.
To accomplish this end, the workshop includes panel discussions about poetry, publishing and sci-fi and fantasy as well mini breakout sessions with a workshop component.
Members of Write by the Rails chose a variety of writers who specialized in a chosen genre, are accomplished in publishing and have close ties to the community. Many are not only writers, but also educators.
Johnston said that for the poetry panel they chose Sara Robinson, a Charlottesville poet who works closely with Write by the Rails members through the Virginia Writers Club. Robinson is also a respected teacher and writer.
The other poetry panelist is Sarah Crossland, an alumnus of the Woodbridge Senior High School’s Center for the Performing Arts Creative Writing Program. Crossland has a MFA in writing and has taught numerous writing classes on the collegial level. She also spearheaded the effort to save the CFPA Creative Writing Program through an e-petition that was signed by over 1,000 former WSHS students, community members and others.
On the prose and publishing panel, they choose writers in both the realm of fiction and nonfiction to explore various publishing experiences whether through traditional books, self-publishing, small press, e-books or newspaper/journalistic publishing.
This panel features Bristow Beat’s Executive Editor Stacy Shaw, a former WSHS Creative Writing teacher, who entered the world of entrepreneurial independent journalism in 2012. It also features Bristow Beat reporter Katherine Gotthardt who is the author of the realistic fiction novel “Felonias Park” and other works. Also on the panel are humor writer and marketing professional Kelly Harman and prose writer Zan Hailey.
The science fiction/fantasy panel features Nick and Stacia Kelly, local fantasy writers. Johnston describes them as a “young, dynamic couple.” Nick is a musician and steampunk author, while Stacia is a holistic health doctor.
Robert Scott, of the sci/fi fantasy and publishing panel, is a successful author in several genres, including Sailor Doyle mystery series and “Hickory Staff” fantasy trilogy. Scott teaches at Osborn Park High School in Manassas and is the former principal of Brentsville District High School in Nokesville. Additionally, Matt Iden, a crime, mystery and humor writer and author of “One Right Thing” will also serve on the panel.
Once young writers have had a chance to listen to the panelists and have some of their questions answered, they will get a chance to write in their preferred genre.
The mini-session will allow the young writers to choose from five different topics of interest. Four of these will be conducted by WSHS creative writing students; the fifth will be taught by Zan Hailey, prose and poetry writer, graduate of Woodbridge’s writing program and student at Virginia Commonwealth University.
The session will include writing “prompt” or mini-lesson as inspiration for the writers. Writers will also have the opportunity to share their writing and engage with each other.
WSHS Creative Writing teacher, Catherine Hailey said it is a great opportunity for the CFPA program and WBTR to cooperate towards a common goal of, "writing advocacy," which she says has been her mission in life.
"I see the two groups being great partners. First, WBTR shows students that there is a local writing community, which they can join now or as they move on to the college level and beyond. We already have a connection because we enter the Golden Nib Contest sponsored by the Virginia Young Writers Club. CFPA students won eight out of nine of the prizes in last year’s contest," Hailey said.
The workshop further allows more senior writing students to act as instructors, an experience she has traditionally included as part of the writing program.
"This was a perfect opportunity for the students to share what they have learned as part of the CFPA Creative Writing Program with other writers in the county," Hailey said. "We used to have the WSHS Poetry Fair where students taught their peers in English classes. We have also worked with younger students at Old Bridge Elementary School and St. Matthews Preschool over the years."
The cost of registration includes lunch and a snack. Interested readers can download a registration form at writebytherails.org. Registration forms are due by March 22.
Young writers interested in participating can contact Linda Johnston at 703-926-4229 or email swindon53@gmail.com.
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