Young Writers' Camp
A summer camp for writers who want to have fun learning.
Ahhh, summer. Heaven to a kid, hot to an adult, and as for me, it means camp.
My summer started off on an up note. I was able to snag a two-week spot in a writers' camp at Duke University with my best friend. How awesome is that?
I took Writing a Graphic Novel with a loquacious teacher who gave us truckloads of tips and techniques that brought our writing to a higher level. At the time, I did not have the slightest idea how to write a graphic novel. I thought we might just draw and come up with a story line. It sounded pretty simple. How wrong I was I?
For Graphic Novel Writing, you had to carefully think out each panel to let your artist know what you wanted. For example: I want a small panel taking up the bottom ninth of the page. Please have a close up on the main character's face, on the left side. Put a scar on his cheek...
We also discussed good villains and different types of heroes. We even read comic books to study different styles.
After the afternoon class, we all gathered to share the work we did that day. In the evening, we held living group meets, where your dorm meets and discusses what you did that day and what you're looking forward to.
My living group consisted of seven people (including myself). There was my roommate and best friend Matt, one of my new best friends Sam, a small boy with glasses named Paul who was very shy and was drooled on by all the girls (poor kid), Aaron, who is awesome, and the Star Trek/Star Gate/Dr. Who-loving Jack. Then of course there was our counselor, Everett.
Regardless of my brief descriptions, they were all amazing people, writers, and friends and my heart ached when we all had to say goodbye on the last day.
PHOTO: NIck Berray at his summer writing camp. (Photo Courtesy Nick Berray)
NOTE: What did YOU do this summer? Let us know using the Comment section below.
