WriteGirl
Encyclopedia
WriteGirl is a Los Angeles-based project of Community Partners, an American
nonprofit organization
.
Since 2001, WriteGirl has paired professional women writers
in the Los Angeles area
with at-risk teenage girl
s who do not otherwise have access to creative writing
or mentoring
programs. The mentoring focuses on the craft of creative writing and empowerment through self-expression. By means of one-on-one sessions and monthly workshops, girls are given techniques, insights, and practical advice for writing in several genres: fiction
, creative nonfiction
, poetry
, songwriting, and screenwriting
.
Each year, an anthology of the girls' writing is published.
100% of WriteGirl's graduating seniors have entered college, many on full or partial scholarships. This is particularly noteworthy because many of the girls come from at-risk communities where they are beating the odds just graduating from high school.
WriteGirl was launched by founder Keren Taylor in December 2001 to bring the skills and energy of professional women writers to teenage girls who do not otherwise have access to creative writing or mentoring programs. After six months, WriteGirl published Threads, its premier anthology of members’ work. A standing-room only public reading at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood helped to kick off the book’s release.
The second season brought double the membership and the publication of a second anthology, Bold Ink. This book was ushered in with a sold-out event at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills.
To date, WriteGirl anthologies have won a total of 19 book awards. Keren Taylor and WriteGirl’s unique programming have received numerous awards and commendations for exemplary community service.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
nonprofit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
.
Since 2001, WriteGirl has paired professional women writers
Women's fiction
Women's fiction is an umbrella term for books that are marketed to female readers, and includes many mainstream novels, romantic fiction, "chick lit,"and other sub genres. It is distinct from Women's writing, which refers to literature written by women...
in the Los Angeles area
Greater Los Angeles Area
The Greater Los Angeles Area, or the Southland, is a term used for the Combined Statistical Area sprawled over five counties in the southern part of California, namely Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County and Ventura County...
with at-risk teenage girl
Girl
A girl is any female human from birth through childhood and adolescence to attainment of adulthood. The term may also be used to mean a young woman.-Etymology:...
s who do not otherwise have access to creative writing
Creative writing
Creative writing is considered to be any writing, fiction, poetry, or non-fiction, that goes outside the bounds of normal professional, journalistic, academic, and technical forms of literature. Works which fall into this category include novels, epics, short stories, and poems...
or mentoring
Mentoring
Mentorship refers to a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps a less experienced or less knowledgeable person....
programs. The mentoring focuses on the craft of creative writing and empowerment through self-expression. By means of one-on-one sessions and monthly workshops, girls are given techniques, insights, and practical advice for writing in several genres: fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
, creative nonfiction
Creative nonfiction
Creative nonfiction is a genre of writing that uses literary styles and techniques to create factually accurate narratives. Creative nonfiction contrasts with other nonfiction, such as technical writing or journalism, which is also rooted in accurate fact, but is not primarily written in service...
, poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
, songwriting, and screenwriting
Screenwriting
Screenwriting is the art and craft of writing scripts for mass media such as feature films, television productions or video games. It is a freelance profession....
.
Each year, an anthology of the girls' writing is published.
100% of WriteGirl's graduating seniors have entered college, many on full or partial scholarships. This is particularly noteworthy because many of the girls come from at-risk communities where they are beating the odds just graduating from high school.
HISTORY
HISTORYWriteGirl was launched by founder Keren Taylor in December 2001 to bring the skills and energy of professional women writers to teenage girls who do not otherwise have access to creative writing or mentoring programs. After six months, WriteGirl published Threads, its premier anthology of members’ work. A standing-room only public reading at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood helped to kick off the book’s release.
The second season brought double the membership and the publication of a second anthology, Bold Ink. This book was ushered in with a sold-out event at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills.
To date, WriteGirl anthologies have won a total of 19 book awards. Keren Taylor and WriteGirl’s unique programming have received numerous awards and commendations for exemplary community service.