Fostering Young Imaginations – Nicole Jonsson

I remember writing my first story. I was six or seven years old, only in grade 1, but I thought I was a fantastic writer at the time. We’d sit down for our English segment of the day, and our teacher would let us free write, whatever we could articulate at that formative age. Sure, I could spell a few words correctly – if the scribbles covering my page could even be considered words – but my favourite part was making up the words, creatures or dances. My teacher would read it aloud, and I’d giggle madly. She’d laugh too and encourage me to keep writing; not once did she tell me that I couldn’t write that because ‘it isn’t a real word’. Even when I was 12 and about to graduate primary school, she still remembered me for my wacky stories.

In high school, my English teachers were just as encouraging, some of my favourite teachers. However, I wasn’t as focused on my writing in those years. By the time I needed to start thinking about my tertiary education, I had no idea what to pursue. I didn’t even know creative writing was an option until I saw it while browsing for possible degrees. I thought back to all those moments, the writing, the reading, and I took the leap. So here I am today, in my final semester of my degree.

Reminiscing about my introduction to creative writing got me thinking about young writers today. Do they experience the same encouragement I did? Therefore, when I was offered the opportunity to create and run a Youth Writing Saturday workshop at the Queensland Writers Centre as part of my internship, I jumped at the chance. Tuesday afternoon was spent creating the presentation slides, and I chose Fantasy/worldbuilding as my theme.

I was a bundle of nerves in the minutes leading up to 10am that Saturday, but I was also excited. The kids filtered in and took their seats, shy, bookish types like myself, which helped me relax. They were so eager to write–as soon as the timer went on, their heads went down, and they scribbled furiously in their notebooks. When it was time to swap for feedback, they were reserved at first but eventually they opened up, and I loved seeing them communicate with one another about their work. Not only are they learning how to be great writers, but also great readers and great reviewers of other people’s writing.

It is incredible to see this type of environment, one that is unconditionally supportive and encouraging of young writers. I only wish I had access to such a program when I was their age. But, instead, I can now help foster their imaginations like mine was all those years ago.