Philadelphia Workshop Empowers Boys To Step Up Their Writing Game
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - If the common wisdom is that boys lag behind girls in writing skills, some are bucking the trend, especially those attending workshops in Philadelphia that foster creative thinking.
Boys Write Now organizer Sam Reed, a Beeber Middle School teacher, says the boys in grades 7-12 are channeling their ideas and emotions into the written word, through comics, sports, raps, lyrics, movies, sci-fi and more:
"We've invited guest rappers, guest comics, card game designers," Reed said.
Sixteen-year old Matthew Sobanko, who came from Stroudsburg in the Poconos, wants to be a player in the literary world:
"I wanted to step up my writing game. I feel I'm a very good writer, but I'm missing something."
When asked how he wants to turn words into a career, Sobanko said, "I want to write the story that every person in the world is going to enjoy."
Reed says they're trying to push boys to compete at a higher level with girls by submitting their writing to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards:
"We're creating this cafe space where boys can explore and have fun."
Past teen winners in the prestigious scholarship program include Truman Capote, Ken Burns and John Lithgow.
