Thursday, December 18, 2008

Girls Write Now and Lighthouse Writers


This one is for Tayari and for all the young women writers out there. Tayari says that for anyone who posts their high school picture and spreads the word about the organization Girls Write Now, she will give $10 to that charity.

I was not a happy high-schooler. School, I loved. It was home that wasn't so hot at the time. So I have mixed feelings about my teen years. I was awkward and painfully shy, and spent a good chunk of my time lying under umbrellas and smiling. Um, no. Actually, I spent most of my time staring down at a book. I read at home for hours at a time, sometimes staying up all night. I pulled out a book and read for the minute or two before each class started. I read walking down the school hallways between classes. I read at the bus stop going to school or work. Nothing says "do not talk to me" like a fat paperback in front of your face.
Even looking at this picture gives me the heebie jeebies. But to help other young women get through their youths, I post it. Please consider making a donation to Girls Write Now. Tayari is matching gifts dollar for dollar--that means your donation will go twice as far!
I'm also honor bound to point out that Lighthouse Writers Workshop offers programs for young writers, so if you're interested (especially if you're local), I hope you will consider a gift to Lighthouse.

10 comments:

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Carleen, It's a beautiful photo and thank you for posting it. But like you, I do not have a good memory of my teen years and I do not have a picture from that time period. But I can relate as my younger years were spent always in the pages of a book. there is an organization here in DC trying to do the same thing for young teens to learn to write creatively. It is a wonderful thing to feed young creative souls.

Lisa said...

Look how cute your are underneath your umbrella!

Shauna Roberts said...

I wasn't familiar with this organization. Thanks for posting about it.

LarramieG said...

Was this photo taken because of that old song, "Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella...?" There's a story here.

Yasmin said...

What a beautiful photo...and thanks for the information regarding this project.

Doret said...

I really wish they would've had programs like that when I was a teen. I won't linger on that thought too long but I am very happy to hear it exists now. Carleen, that was very brave of you to post a picture that gives you the heebie jeebies I would've opted to give cash donation.

Carleen Brice said...

Ello, Something tells me lots of us writers had the same akward years. Best-sellers are sort of our "revenge of the nerds."

Lisa, Oy.

Larramie, there are MANY stories there. The upside to the dysfunctional family (which I love, btw) is good material.

Shauna, You're welcome.

Doret, I am SO BROKE right now that all I had to give was suffering through heebie jeebies.

Carleen Brice said...

Oh, Yasmin, Thank you!

Sustenance Scout said...

Ditto all around, Carleen! A classic photo for a worthy cause. Thanks! K.

Sustenance Scout said...

Carleen, I just published a post on this. Thanks again and Happy New Year, K.