Write Your Mind - Writing Workshop

Writing is an art, or so I have started to discover, as the Write Your Mind Magazine is taking shape. I heard this from an extremely learned English language teacher, that poetry is the articulation of overflowing emotions. Emotion is a word tinted with many connotations and it mostly has a negative connotation in our minds. Because it is somehow associated with anger or infatuation. Both of these emotions are not considered socially productive. While "expression" which is the outcome of emotions, mostly enjoys positive connotations. I wonder why!

The writing workshop was for children in the age group of 8 to 12 years. The age when children have barely started to understand the wonders of words. My idea is to catch them young, so they make friends with words, before words start to scare them.

Writing does not come easy. Drawing is easier. And for some neither comes easily. Writing and drawing are both communication, communication comes with the risk of being judged. 

As the workshop progressed, I realised the task in front of me. I had planned in advance for 4 sections in the two hour workshop:

 - Fill a Slam book
 - Make a postcard, with a drawing, description of the drawing and a message to the recipient
 - Write on a favourite subject and write whatever comes in your mind.
 - Complete a story

Children enjoyed every bit of it. They are waiting for another session! In fact though I had planned for it to be only a one time event, I am looking forward to another session with them too.

Writing, for any age, does not come easy. Gesturing, speaking, not expressing does. Written words can have its own consequences, in the minds of children however, it seems to be the surest way to get ridiculed. If this can be changed, we can make them more expressive and responsible with words.