By Andrea Cordle
Southwest Editor
As a teenager, Grove City writer Barbara Whittington loved to read. She would spend hours reading books like the “Nancy Drew Mystery Stories.”
Now, she wants the reading and writing bug to bite local teenagers.
Whittington, who has been a writer for the past 25 years, is a member of the Grove City Writer’s Group. The group is sponsoring a Grove City Teen Writer’s Club.
“This benefits a life-long love of reading and writing,” said Whittington. “It’s for those who have a zest for reading because all writers are readers first.”
Each year, the Grove City Writer’s Group hosts Summer Scribbles, a youth writing contest. Due to the onslaught of entries and interest in the contest, members of the writer’s group thought of the idea to form a club for teens.
The Grove City Teen Writer’s Club is for youth ages 13-18 in the South-Western City Schools District, though students from the Grove City Christian School and those home-schooled are also encouraged to participate.
The first club meeting will be held at 6 p.m. April 13 at the Grove City Library, 3959 Broadway. The group will meet monthly.
According to Whittington, the group will be interactive so the teenagers can share their stories with one another, as well as with an adult writer who would be present at each club meeting.
The goal is to promote creative expression,” said Whittington. “It’s a chance for the teens to come together and learn.”
Teenagers interested in the the group can write about whatever interests them. All genres are welcome, said Whittington even fan fiction.
“Fan fiction is really popular with teens right now,” said Whittington. “We won’t be stumped for direction.”
According to Whittington, there are already a few teenagers who plan to attend the first club meeting. Anyone is welcome.
For more information on the Grove City Teen Writer’s Club, contact Whittington at barbwhitti@aol.com or Jeff Griesheimer at jessygriesheimer@gmail.com.
