Great Beginnings

By Jerod Santek, Founding & Artistic Director, Write On Door County

The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself. 
– Anna Quindlen

Saved to my desktop is a letter from the Internal Revenue Service, stamped JAN 03 2014 and addressed to Dear Applicant. “We are pleased to inform you,” it begins, “that upon review of your application for tax exempt status we have determined that you are exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.” Never had I read a happier letter from the IRS. Thus began the hard and amazing work of Write On becoming itself. Ten years later, thanks to all who believed in this dream. We wouldn’t be here without your support. 

The Right to Write
Becoming the organization we are today wasn’t easy but it certainly was amazing. Like us, all writers need a great beginning, not just for their stories but with help becoming themselves as writer. Believing that they have every right to write their own story — memoir or fiction — as only they can, is difficult. Ask any one of the 13 women who went through the second year of our mentoring program for women who want to write but have never felt allowed to begin. From coming together as strangers on a cold, snowy morning last winter, the group has bonded, encouraged, and supported one another over the months. As one participant told me, “Creativity thrives in community.” I couldn’t agree more. You can hear these writers share their stories next Sunday, January 14, starting at 2 pm. Write On is grateful for the support of this program from the Women’s Fund of Door County.

Here For You
While writing may come more naturally or more easily for some, the truth is that we all need help getting started. Most of us need help continuing. The goal of perfection often blocks us. Wherever you are on your writer’s journey, Write On is here to help you. Check out our upcoming offerings listed below and amaze yourself with what you are able to write when you give up on being perfect.

GREAT BEGINNINGS FOR YOUTH

Write On is excited to present several opportunities for young writers throughout 2024. From elementary-age through high school, we have exciting programs planned with more coming during the summer. While these opportunities are specifically for younger writers, high-school students are always welcome to take part in any of our classes and workshops.

FREE! Fiction Writing with Emmett Knowlton, Saturday, January 13, 1 pm
Novelist Emmett Knowlton will demystify the writing process. Participants will leave with a greater understanding of how stories work, along with the draft of a story they’ve begun in this writing intensive session. More info.

Young Writers Conference, Saturday, February 24, 9 am – 4 pm, $80
For middle- and high-school students. Sessions include playwriting, podcasting, poetry, fiction, writing for games and much more!  More info.

Sponsor a Student: If you would like to sponsor a student who may not be able to afford the registration fee, please visit our Donation Page. Select one-time donation and enter $80 as the amount. Check the box to indicate your donation is in honor or memory of someone and enter Young Writers Conference in the text box.

FREE! Word Play with Dasha Kelly Hamilton, Saturday, March 2, 10 am – noon
Writer and spoken word artist Dasha Kelly Hamilton takes students from blank page to shared stage through a precess of creating, thinking, and scribbling!

SAVE THE DATES!
Our annual KIDS WOW! creative camp will be held July 8 – 12, 2024. Morning sessions for 3rd – 5th graders will be led by John Coy; afternoon sessions for 6th – 8th graders will be led by Fiona McCrae. Watch for complete details later this month.

JOIN OUR TEEN COUNCIL
Write On is reviving our Teen Council! If you are a Door County resident between the ages of 13 and 17 and are interested in writing, we want you on our council! Members help us create programs specifically for young people and enjoy perks such as free classes and meeting visiting authors. To find out more about the Teen Council, please contact Artistic Director Jerod Santek.