Post Falls Library will host teen writing workshop

Every kid has a story.

The library is a great place to tell them.

Post Falls Library and Community Library Network information specialist Nathan Hansen will help young people entering grades six through 12 become short-story writers at 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning Aug. 7 and lasting through Aug. 21.

Hansen, an author, has been working at the Community Library Network for three years. Before taking over the information specialist position a couple months ago, he worked as a circulation adviser.

Hansen attended North Idaho College and earned his associate degree in philosophy. English professors Jonathan Frey and Aaron Cloyd pushed him to continue his education, and he returned to school for a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing, which he earned from Southern New Hampshire University.

This is the second year the Post Falls Library will host the creative teen writing event. Last year it had 13 teens participate. They made a book of their short stories that was about 50 pages; this year Hansen’s hoping the book will double in size.

Each workshop will teach the teens a different aspect of creative writing. The first workshop, on Aug. 7, will allow teens to engage in crafting compelling characters. Teens will learn to create well-rounded characters instead of flat characters, Hansen said. On Aug. 14, teens will work to create a narrative and shape scenes. The final session, on Aug. 21, will give the teens an opportunity to critique and revise each other’s work.

The library will use the short stories the teens write to create another book. The book will be released during Teen Read Week, which takes place during the third week of October. Hansen said the workshops will let the teen’s stories come to life.

“Lots of kids write stories, then they [the stories] sit in composition notebooks and this is a great opportunity to make something out of them,” Hansen said.

Last year, the library hosted the writing sessions twice a day on Wednesdays, a short session in the morning and a short session in the evening. This year the library is cutting the program down to just evening sessions to accommodate kids who have summer jobs.

The workshops foster creativity. The library staff will edit the teens’ short stories, though they will not censor or change what the teens are trying to say. Communications Director Anne Abrams said this was a critical part of the program because it gives teens the opportunity to share their struggles and learn others may struggle with the same issues.

“Self-expression is really important,” Hansen said. “And in any art form you are engaging in as an artist you have a vision you want to see created and when someone wants to sensor or change that it affects your voice and the way you see yourself.”

Teens of all levels of writing ability are encouraged to attend the workshops. For more information, call 208-773-1506.