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Thank You Just Energy

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Sasha Bogoslowsky

Thank you to Just Energy for their generous donation to Girls Write Now. We’re happy to be partnered with the Just Energy Foundation- a clean energy company giving back to the communities it serves. With support like theirs we’re able to continue to inspire, support, and guide young women in our communities and serve our network of amazing women writers.

JustEnergy Foundation Logo

About Just Energy Foundation:

Governed by a Board of Directors, the Just Energy Foundation was established in 2013 by Just Energy Group Inc. to help registered Canadian and U.S. charitable organizations secure the resources required to promote the health and well-being of communities in need. Funded entirely by Just Energy, the Foundation invests in local programs that work to enhance the quality of life in Just Energy’s operating markets towards building stronger and supportive communities.

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Free Writing Spots

Posted on March 10, 2014 by GWN

This blog post was written by Program Intern Olaya Barr.

The Bank of America Tower Atrium. (Photo from www.usedyorkcity.com)

The Bank of America Tower Atrium. (Photo from www.usedyorkcity.com)

You probably know by now that we live in one of the most expensive cities on the planet. $4 for a coffee -What!?

It’s an unfair world, but they can’t take away from us our passion for reading and our devotion to writing! Instead of going to the same Starbucks to get your creative juices flowing, go to a new place without spending all your pocket money! Here’s a list of ideas of places to read, write, or meet up and talk literary talk: Read more ›

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The Haha Moment

Posted on March 5, 2014 by GWN

This blog post was written by Program Intern Olaya Barr.

Tina Fey as Liz Lemon in 30 Rock

Tina Fey as Liz Lemon in 30 Rock

With the TV sitcom pilot writing workshop coming up, I’ve been thinking about what makes a TV show funny and worth watching. My conclusion: the best sitcoms make every line of dialogue count.

One of my fiction-writing teachers constantly reminds us: treat your short story as if it’s a play or a TV show where you have to pay each character to say and do what you write. Be precise, and make each deed count. Every action, every gesture, every spoken word has value and should add to the content and worth of the story. No dialogue should be “filler space.” Dialogue should set forth movement in the plot and demonstrate to the reader how a particular character’s personality evolves depending on whom he or she is talking to, or about what. Read more ›

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Join the team: Apply for our summer internships!

Posted on February 25, 2014 by GWN

At Girls Write Now, our interns contribute to every aspect of our work — we truly couldn’t do all that we do without them. Whether they are exercising their writing chops for our website, planning and preparing for the upcoming workshop, or drafting a proposal to our next big funder, their relentless commitment and passion keep us grounded and moving forward every day.

We can’t wait to bring on the 2014 class of summer interns and create more magic together! We’re looking for savvy individuals who are excited about learning the ins and outs of non-profit management to work along side our talented and experienced staff. Read more about the different positions available here and send in your materials today!

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Inside the Writers Studio: Digital Edition

Posted on February 18, 2014 by GWN

It’s the first year of our exciting Digital Media Mentoring Program, with brand new pairs exploring writing through brand new mediums! At the end of every digital workshop — or “dorkshop” — mentees submit pieces from the session for their Portfolio.

Our fall 2013 dorkshops focused on audio recording as a means to showcase writing in journalism, music memoir, and slam poetry. Listen to our mentees use sound to inspire, shape, and enhance their writing by browsing these new portfolio entries from mentees and mentors.

Myasia Fajardo: Audio Music Memoir

This is Myasia’s submission following our Music Memoir dorkshop in November 2013. In it she gives us a glimpse into her family dynamic through their shared music playlist.

    Myasia Fajardo“When I hear Solange’s song “Losing You,” it always reminds me of one particular night last year and the one particular playlist I heard then at home. I was doing my homework at the kitchen table to the sound of the rhythmic chopping of vegetables… ” Listen to Myasia’s music memoir

Read more ›

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Save the Date: CHAPTERS Reading Series 2014

Posted on February 14, 2014 by GWN

Spring may seem a long way off, but we’re already looking ahead — to our 2014 CHAPTERS Reading Series! Each year, every girl in our Writing and Mentoring Program (and some mentors, too) stands in the spotlight in front of a crowd of hundreds and performs an original work. It’s anxiety-producing for some and an exhilarating experience for others. For each mentee, it’s a chance to see themselves in the world of professional writers and for everybody to experience the power of their voices.

Save the date for this year’s readings: we’re gearing up for four amazing evenings, taking place at the state-of-the-art Scholastic Auditorium in SoHo.

  • Friday, March 21, 6-8 PM: Amy Fusselman
  • Friday, April 25, 6-8 PM: Farai Chideya
  • Friday, May 30, 6-8 PM: TBA
  • Friday, June 20, 6-8 PM: Christina Baker Kline

Snag your tickets now — suggested donation of $20 for adults, and free for teens!
Read more ›

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Google’s 2014 Valentine’s doodle combines audio and animation!

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Sarah
Google's 2014 Valentine's doodle pairs simple animations with powerful audio.

Google’s 2014 Valentine’s doodle pairs simple animations with powerful audio.

Every year, Google includes a doodle on their homepage for Valentine’s Day. This year, they collaborated with Ira Glass from This American Life to create their doodle.

If you recall, we have used audio storytelling pieces from This American Life as examples during our Audio Dorkshops! Each of the six doodles on Google’s homepage tells true stories of love and romance. What’s great about these animations is that they use simple visuals and animation techniques, so as to not overpower the audio and stories.

The final product is not only amazing, but also something our digital mentors and mentees have the skills to explore and develop! Here is a look at what goes behind the scenes of Google’s process to make this awesome doodle!

  • Our own digital program mentees transformed their own stories into audio journalism pieces after the Audio Journalism Dorkshop!

This post was written by Sarah Hubschman, Digital Program Coordinator.

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Meet the Team: Welcome new staff!

Posted on February 10, 2014 by GWN

As we enter our sixteenth year of programming, Girls Write Now continues to expand, innovate, and invite new talent into the organization. We are excited to welcome our newest staff members:

Molly MacDermot joins the team as our Communications Advisor & Editor, bringing years of experience in magazines and beyond to our growing Communications department and taking the helm of our 2014 Anthology. Molly has served as Editor-in-Chief of five national magazines, including J-14. Molly is also a regular columnist, consults as a media strategist, and has written five young adult books. She thanks Charlotte Brönte and Harper Lee for paving the way.

Our new Director of Development, Michelle Paul, comes on board with a background in development and education reform, hailing most recently from Teach for America Miami-Dade. At Teach for America, she focused on raising sustainable operating revenue, led various outreach programs and committees, worked with external partners and the advisory board, and oversaw special events. Her previous work experience includes working with youth in foster care and as a patient care therapist for a geriatric center.

Last but not least, meet Tracy Steele, Director of Operations.  Prior to Girls Write Now, Tracy served as an independent consultant to a number of community-based organizations in New York City, and was the Director of Incubator Management at the Fund for the City of New York where she provided financial and administrative management for a portfolio of start-up organizations.

We’re thrilled to have Molly, Michelle, and Tracy with us. Please introduce yourself at our next event!

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Visualizing a Narrative and Narrating a Visual

Posted on February 10, 2014 by GWN

This blog post was written by Program Intern Olaya Barr.

Mark | Tiny at an Amusement Park

Mary Ellen Mark. “Tiny at an Amusement Park, Seattle, Washington.” 1983.

For me, photography and writing are nearly inseparable arts. To create a vivid short story, I can’t help imagining how the characters, the setting, the colors and emotion of the narrative would transpire on film. Why? Probably because of my obsession with photography… but also because I consider imagery so important to making a narrative –whether in fiction, non-fiction, or poetry form– feel real and present. I want my words to help illustrate the mood, the emotion, the sensory details of a time and place. Read more ›

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Mid-Year Reflections: Breaking Through — Forever

Posted on February 8, 2014 by GWN

Mentors brainstorm and share ideas at Mentor Training II, Saturday January 25.

Mentors brainstorm and share ideas at Mentor Training II, Saturday January 25.

Only one month into the new year, Girls Write Now is already breaking through barriers and challenging everybody’s expectations. After a fantastic fall semester of our Writing and Mentoring Program and our Digital Media Mentoring Program, our girls and mentors are forging new paths and building stronger mentor-mentee relationships. Through our writing, we are discovering ourselves and testing our limits.

We kicked off 2014 with our Mentee Mid-Year Workshop and our Mentor Training II Workshop to give our mentors and mentees an opportunity to reconnect with their peers, reflect on where they’ve been, and look ahead to where they’re going.
Read more ›

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