writing with ice cream sunday

I discovered my love for Creative Writing the summer before starting high school. I took a chance on a Grubstreet online horror writing course that required me to write short stories and share them at a virtual bonfire. I enjoyed scary movies and short stories, so it seemed as if horror writing could be a good time. At my summer camp, I was known for telling spooky, late night stories to my bunkmates while we sat in a circle in the eerie light of a battery-fueled Coleman lantern. Writing was not something I typically enjoyed; I found the process to be quite frustrating—as is the case for most boys. However, writing is crucial both as a tool for success in any field and as an outlet for creativity. With the hope of providing a space for boys in elementary and middle school to unlock their imaginations and to hone their writing skills, I developed a writing curriculum at the beginning of my junior year of high school. Creative writing taught me how to build a story, develop intriguing characters, and convey a thought process to the reader. While writing the syllabus, I chose to first include segments from beloved series such as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings with the hope of motivating younger students. I posted my initial syllabus online in order to prompt kids to write by taking a chance like I did. Boys tend to veer away from writing, yet I believe an engaging experience can stimulate self-reflection and build self-assurance. As a writer, my goal is to inspire boys across the country with the framework “just get writing!” to jumpstart their own unique process.