Find Your Writing Niche: Teens and writing

Edith Wharton, author of “Ethan Frome,” once owned Castel Sainte Claire in Hyeres, France

Writers are inquisitive sorts. They are always eavesdropping on people at the next table, reading obscure texts or nuzzling to unearth a fascinating tidbit. In effect, they are looking for the next story.

I started a new project, that is, I am assisting junior high students in getting their stories published.

How is this looking for the next story?

I want to know what teens are interested in now, what stories they have brewing in their brains, how they are going to express those feeling and ideas.

I started by asking them two questions:

• How do they like to spend their free time
• If they could write anything they wanted, what topic/s would they choose

I have not asked them to share that information unless they so desired.

I want them to think, to consider what is important to them and what the rest of the world should know.

I gave them a short list of publications that accept submissions from teens.

MAGAZINES THAT TAKE SUBMISSIONS FROM THOSE UNDER 18:

 http://www.newpages.com/npguides/young_authors_guide.htm

 http://www.stonesoup.com/

 http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/thebusinessofwriting/tp/Teen-Publications.htm

 http://education-portal.com/articles/40_of_the_Best_Websites_for_Young_Writers.html

 http://www.cuckooquarterly.com/

 http://www.teenink.com/

My project may result in:

• Burgeoning young writers
• A host of teens getting published
• A book I write for teens who want to be professional writers

I want to help young people find their writing niche.