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Reading and writing workshop of the Riedstadt Youth Office
It is a cozy group that has set up on the first floor of the Goddelau youth center: Eight boys and girls sit on sofas and beanbag chairs in a circle around a low table with books and snacks and are having an animated discussion with youth worker Kai Faßnacht about tips for creative writing.
The current discussion revolves around whether descriptions of main characters are necessary. "What I really like about a novel is that, unlike with comics or films, I can create my own images and imagine them," one girl remarks. But for that, you need clues, Fassnacht counters. "You create atmosphere through the people and things you describe," he says, referring to the American author Stephen King. "He does this in great detail. After 50 pages, you feel like you're standing right there on a main street in Maine, right in the middle of it all, and you're scared along with him."
During the last week of the school holidays, the youth worker at the Goddelau youth center organized a three-day reading and writing workshop and is delighted with the overwhelming response. With nine participants – eight on this particular day – the workshop is fully booked, and the boys and girls are enthusiastically taking part. They share their favorite books with each other, books are available for reading inspiration, and, most importantly, they are writing with great joy. On the last day, they will visit a bookstore, something the workshop participants are preparing for. But now, after so much inspiration, they are eager to get back to writing. "Can we continue writing now?" one budding author asks impatiently. "Yes, we can," says Faßnacht with a laugh, and so they sit peacefully scattered around the room, continuing to create their own stories.
(RIEDSTADT – PSR)
Writing tips are discussed in a relaxed atmosphere with youth worker Kai Faßnacht. Photo: City of Riedstadt
