I love teaching.

I love writing.

I love teaching writing.

But it’s summer break, and not all students love learning when they can be sleeping in. Plenty of students never learn to love expanding their minds, and that’s another issue entirely.

And it’s my first year heading my Writers Guild Youth Outreach program.

Mix that all together, and there was no way to know what to expect. But after giving three school talks, and unsuccessfully attempting to get older students to submit their work into a writing competition, we did have a couple of students attend the Youth Writing Workshop.

Although we didn’t have a huge crowd, it was fun to do writing warmups, exercises, and just talking shop with some kids who were willing to wake up early ON A SATURDAY, DURING SUMMER BREAK! haha

Okay, I did force my 12-year-old to get up and come with, but once we got there, she enjoyed herself.

I’ve taught classes with two students all the way to a room of 20. I’ve given talks and performances before much larger crowds. And no matter how many people show up, I always find that there is something to learn and pass with each experience.

I’m not a licensed teacher. I homeschool, volunteer teach at my co-op, and mentor. And yet, these experiences are incredibly educational. The idea that only some “expert” who is simply versed in teaching can pass on knowledge to others is absurd to me because some of the greatest lessons I’ve received in life didn’t come from institutionalized learning. Honestly, most of what’s helped me in my writing career came from experience and working with editors and other writers.

The more writing jobs I take on and the more publishing work I get, the more I wish to help other writers find their way through the publishing labyrinth. There are plenty of dead ends, walls caving in, and even a few monsters chasing us. But the hope I see in the eyes of my students deserves to grow.

Maybe next year I’ll find more young writers who don’t mind giving up their free time to dive into the writing world face-first. And if not, so long as these events give one writer the help they need, it’s worth it. I know I could have used it long ago.