I remember reading that the Scion—a sub-brand from Toyota—was formed because Toyota discovered that the average age of the Toyota buyer was in their early forties. This is a poor indicator of growth for a car maker. Toyota decided to implement a new, funky badge known as the Scion to attract younger buyers. And for thirteen years, according to this post from Auto News, it worked. Toyota knew that attracting younger people to any venture was critical to their long-term survival.
The same could be said about attracting younger writers: we’re only as strong as the youngest members of our community.
Why This is Important Now
A woman from The King’s Christian Academy, a parochial school in my home county emailed me. She’s a volunteer whose daughter had learned about my writing and was interested in a career in creative writing. Her mother was calling me to participate in Career Day, slated for about a month away. At first, I was confused: I’ve spent forty years in higher education, and I’m really good at that. Did she really want me to talk about becoming a creative writer, rather than about college? The answer was yes. Of course, I was both flattered and determined to do the best I could at career day.
Alas, that event was cancelled along with many others in the Spring of 2020, but it raised the question of what I’m doing—if anything—to expand creative writing opportunities for young people.
One Shining Example
The Maryland Writers’ Association understands the important of encouraging young people to write, so much so that they formed Teen Writing Programs at several chapters throughout the state. Adult volunteers work with teen writing group members on understanding the craft of writing, encouraging them during NaNoWriMo or Camp NaNo, and serving as writing mentors. The program is small at present, with about a hundred youth in ten different clubs through the state, but the MWA is committed to supporting them. In fact, the association has published four volumes of Emerging Voices: Poetry and Prose by Maryland Teens over the years. What a great opportunity for young writers! Teen Writing Group members may also attend the main day of the Maryland Writers’ Association conference for free.
Of course, that begs the question of what I’m doing to support young writers, doesn’t it? I demurred at the 2018 Maryland Writers’ Association conference when asked if I wanted to start a Teen Writing Program in Southern Maryland. Now, as an executive committee member of a group that hopes to become a chapter of the MWA, it may be time I revisit that decision.
