Magness holds Young Writer’s Workshop

Magness Library recently held another of its popular Young Writer’s Workshops, with this one being taught by young adult mystery author Vonda Skinner Skelton.

Skelton currently has two books in print, both published by Silver Dagger Mysteries: “Bitsy and the Mystery at Tybee Island,” and the just released “Bitsy and the Mystery at Amelia Island.”

Skelton grew up in South Carolina, and though she was small, she held her own with any boys who were foolish enough to decide to pick on her. She also played on the boys baseball team, but as she grew older she found out girls couldn’t play on boys teams forever, and that her dream careers weren’t exactly open to her.

“I had always dreamed of being an undercover detective, an investigative reporter, or a movie star,” Skelton recalled. “But the world told me I had to become what all little girls became at that time, either a nurse, a teacher, or a secretary.”

Eventually, she chose nursing as a career, which actually fit right in with her nurturing temperament. But she didn’t give up entirely on her other dreams, as she now teaches at conferences, performs in church and community theater, and writes young adult mysteries, which helps satisfy some of her investigative and acting ambitions.

Skelton’s series character is Bitsy, a 12-year-old tomboy whose imagination and natural curiosity continually get her into hot water as she sets out on one adventure after another.

Skelton says, since many incidents in her own work are based on her own experiences, she enjoys showing her students how to use their own lives for inspiration.

“What I love to do is show them how you come up with ideas that really did happen in your life,” Skelton said, “so that you’re using your autobiographical events, things that really have happened, but place them in a fictional setting.”

After the students read passages from her books, Skelton actually uses them as an exercise in the workshop.

“I let them guess which things in the book really did happen to me,” Skelton said, “and they’re always amazed. I teach them to use things that happen to them, use things that happen to other people, and use things that you just make up.”

As for her students, Skelton didn’t have to worry about keeping their attention. They were all quite the ambitious young future authors, as evident by the reasons they gave for attending the workshop.

“I like writing,” said Sarah McMahan. “I like it because it’s a good way to express yourself.”

“I like to write stories,” said Karly Wilson. “Mostly fairy tales.”

Some students have taken on fairly ambitious projects, like 13-year-old Audri Rembiszewski.

“I’m here to get some ideas for my book,” Rembiszewski said. “It’s a fantasy adventure.”

Another fledgling author, Susan Brown, said writing is a good way to unwind from a hard day at school, and a great creative outlet, even for someone her age.

“I like to write because it’s calm and relaxing,” Brown said, “and you can make dreams come to life.”

For more information on Vonda Skinner Skelton and her work, visit her Web site at www.vondaskelton.com.