Léna is also a Regional Manager for Writopia Lab whose mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in kids and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing.

"Well, the question is, what do you want to believe? Do you want to live in a world where things are possible, or in one where they aren't?" Cin, Edges.

Monday, June 14, 2010

A Writopia State of Mind


I was in the paper! No, not the coveted New York Times, but I was ecstatic to give Writopia a shout out in The Mt. Kisco Examiner last week as the husband and I are initiating a Writopia community in Mt. Kisco this summer! Mt. Kisco is about ten minutes away from Katonah, and both a commercial and artistic hub for the area. I will be teaching, and the husband will be dealing with everything else. (Anything to do with computers!)

I've been in a Writopia state of mind all year, ever since I met my boss and soul sister, Rebecca Wallace-Segall. How was I going to leave Writopia, Rebecca and NYC? Could I take that state of mind with me? Fortunately, Rebecca gave me two thumbs up last March when I proposed to bring her awesome program up to Northern Westchester, as long as I promised that I would come back into the city once in a while to teach as well. (It's so nice to be wanted and valued!)

In the Examiner, there was a picture of me (the one from this blog) AND a photo of the book jacket of EDGES displayed at a jaunty angle. So exciting!

Writopia is growing. There is a thriving community in Washington DC and Brooklyn, and ones are starting up in Los Angeles and Southern Westchester in Mamaroneck as well. I would love to be able to say that kids and teens had access to Writopia everywhere!

It is exactly what I wished for when I was a kid, although I didn't have the words to express that desire. A kid/teen centered community, with published authors as enthusiasts and guides. I've always had a community-minded spirit, and struggle with being an extrovert in an introverted profession. Isn't this the perfect job for me to go along with my writing career?

And I give my Gran credit for this in my bio: Lena's inspiration and touchstone is her late grandmother, author Madeleine L’Engle, who was able to transform the solitary nature of writing into a sacred sense of community where her art and the art of others could flourish.

Thank you to both my Gran and Rebecca, for inspiring me!

So, would you light a candle, say a prayer for us and our endeavors? Thank YOU!

5 comments:

  1. this is so incredibly exciting. let me know how i can help you in your endeavor in any way. this is so inspiring. and i wish you beyond beyond beyond the best. love!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm feeling your radiant and positive energy, Amanda - thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This chaotic management traveling by air everywhere will like this hublot replica uk Earth Time period functionality matched up wide-spread time period. The earth time period functionality will keep anyone synchronized while using the regional time in from any of the up to 29 important locations. The modern by Casio for the top-end would be the Casio edifice wristwatches. Produced this holiday season (under $1, 000), this Casio Edifice rolex replica uk Sensor Chronograph Check out could well be properly at your home within a spaceship -- it offers a location era pattern along with the technological know-how to help returning the item in place. One example is, this Casio Edifice EQW-A1200 Sensor Chronograph Check out integrates anything termed 'rolex replica uk Drive' -- a analog get process developed by Casio. This 'Multi-Mission Get technological know-how means that you can go both equally rolex replica uk hands and wrists separate of different. Very well, Casio produces various designs on the at this point well known Casio Edifice rolex replica uk intended for individuals. For the top-end there exists this Casio Protrek photovoltaic along with the Casio Edifice Analog-Digital check out.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.