Shawn L. Bird

I am delighted to share my excitement with you as it was announced today that my former student and talented young writer Shvaugn Craig has won a 3 hour writing competition at Okanagan College this week.  She won a $750 prize (that’s $250 an hour!).  Shvaugn has a lovely website.  I invite you to explore her world. 

I wish I could take credit for her skill, but she was already an amazing writer before she arrived in my class in grade 11.  Both aptitude and attitude are needed for success.  A lot of practice hones the skills.  One must generate a lot of words before the ability to find the best ones becomes clear.  So if you want to be a writer someday, you must write!  Poems, letters, journals, blog, etc are all part of disciplining your thoughts, learning to narrow your focus, and learning how to choose the best words.

As a writer, you must also read.  Read what you love, of course, but also expand your horizons.  Learn from the masters.  Learn what makes a classic timeless.  Observe how words are used, how sentences are pruned.  Embrace new vocabulary.  You cannot be a good writer without being a good reader. 

Shvaugn is a perfect example of the success that occurs when one is truly  living the writers’ life.  You have to submit to publications to get published.  You have to enter contests to win them.  You have to put in the time.  Eventually, your effort will be rewarded.

 Way to go, Shvaugn!