Their story, in their words…
In the summer of 2023, I went on a trip to Iceland with my Mum, Aunt and cousin. The landscape was beautiful and vast and dotted with little houses. On a hike, while momentarily lost, we came across a small, dilapidated building, sparking my ideas for a story. A few months later, the Mark Evison Foundation (MEF) presented itself as the perfect opportunity to pursue a piece of writing.
I have always loved writing short stories and poems but have never committed to a longer novella. In January, I began mapping out the intricacies of the plot and details of characters- their development and relationships to one and other. Through the process of writing, I learned the importance of time management as I worked and amended my plan along the way and built resilience in piecing together a complete story from just an idea.
It was also a great opportunity to chat to others and take on feedback, hearing other perspectives on my writing, and learning to approach it in different ways. Not only did I write, but then got a taste of other aspects of the process of publishing such as editing and cover design, before having it printed. I enjoyed creating a finished product and felt proud of the product when I finally got to hold it.
In the spring of 2024, I worked with my school librarian to hold a donation-based book sale at my school to fundraise for the MEF. Students were encouraged to donate age-appropriate books in good condition, which were then collected and resold over two days.
It was a great opportunity to experience the many aspects and challenges that come with organising an event, working with others and encouraging participation. I thoroughly enjoyed learning from the process of selling books, and it was so rewarding to see the enthusiasm of young people supporting the fundraiser and sharing a love for literature.
I am grateful to the MEF for support in printing and keeping me on target to complete the books. Although the project seemed daunting at points, I enjoyed the process of seeing my story come to life and have built my confidence to continue with writing in the future!
