Wallace celebrates written word

VINELAND -  Writer Brianna Lagarez comes up with some of her most creative ideas just before bedtime.

“I like to write before I go to sleep,” she said, explaining that’s when she gets her most creative ideas.

Fortunately, the future horror novelist, who declared Stephen King her favorite author, doesn’t give herself nightmares.

Lagarez was one of about three dozen Wallace Intermediate School students who were invited or signed up for the annual writer’s workshop held in the school’s library.

Jackie Huster, the school’s media specialist, hosts the annual event to coincide with National Day on Writing sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English.

The teens tested their talents during four writing prompts ranging from old-school letter writing to present-day text communication.

“I’m really passionate about writing, I love to write,” Huster told her students. “We have a creative writing club this year after school. If you didn’t know that, it’s on Mondays and you are welcome to come.”

Writing encourages critical thinking, she said.

“When you write, you go through a process,” Huster said. “You have to think, you have to come up with ideas — the story is yours and yours alone.”

Rionna McLeary enjoys developing her characters and sending them on adventures.

When writers were instructed to write about someplace they’d like to visit, McLeary jumped at the chance to take an imaginary journey and knew where she was headed.

“Paris,” she said in a breathless rush.

Teens posted their motivation for writing on sticky notes over the hastag #WhyIWrite. Students stepped forward to pull one of their colleagues postings from the white board to read aloud.

One teen writer expressed a desire to become a professional novelist.

“Whoever it is, go for it,” cheered student April Gonzalez, after reading the message.

When it came time to write the letter of appreciation, Lagarez didn’t hesitate.

Across her notepad, she directed her thanks to Maureen Riley, her elementary school librarian.

Lagarez explained that when she was a Barse Elementary School first-grader it was Riley who encouraged her to write.

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Student Nathaly Castro took the opportunity to thank her friend and fellow writer McLeary, who was seated beside her.

“I admit that I like to steal your chicken nuggets at lunch,” Castro wrote before taking a serious turn.

“We’ve been friends since elementary school and you’ve never let me down,” Castro read her letter out loud.

When Castro conveyed how much she valued the friendship, it was one time when words weren’t needed.

McLeary held out her outstretched arms and gave her pal a hug.

Deborah M. Marko; (856) 563-5256: dmarko@gannettnj.com