Literary judges hold workshop

Students throughout the region had the opportunity to attended workshops with the judges of the annual Ronald Hugh Morrieson literary awards last week.

Poetry judge, Sue Wootton and short story and script judge, Mandy Hager, visited schools and libraries throughout Taranaki to inspire and mentor students who were planning to enter the competition.

At St Mary's Diocesan School Sue spoke to the students about how to create a poem. "I like to think of it as a small creature, that grows and develops as it comes together."

Sue encouraged students to read their drafts aloud to one another, "it is scary to share your work with each other but every time you go over it you will polish it a little more".

St Mary's Diocesan School student Megan Poehler says "I really enjoyed the workshop, Sue read pieces of her own as well as work by other authors to help us understand the rhythms within a poem".

At Stratford High School Mandy mentored the students on how to develop a short story from a single line or lesson.

"The students and I also discussed the narration of the story, whether it be a directly affected character or perhaps someone more unexpected," says Mandy.

Stratford High School student says "I learnt a lot from the workshop, Mandy gave us some really great ideas and I am feeling inspired to get writing".

Entries for the Ronald Hugh Morrieson Literary competition close on July 31. Categories include; Secondary School Short Story/Script, Secondary School Poetry, Open Short Story/Script, and Open Poetry.

For more information check out www.southtaranaki.com/Live/LibraryPlus/Ronald-Hugh-Morrieson-Literary-Awards