Calling All Writers Under Age 25

I'm so excited! I get to help judge a writers' contest on Stephanie Morrill's Go Teen Writers Blog. I fell in love with words by accident. My mother is also a writer. Being the oldest of her four children, she chose me to become her junior editor. I was ten years old and not too thrilled with the idea. Oh,I was so tough on her. I wrote things like, "Boring! Who cares?" on her typed pages. I always used a red marker.

But my heart beat a little faster as I read a sentence that seemed to shine. I drew a pink heart on her paper every time that happened. And something began to form inside me.

I learned a tiny bit about writing with heart.

Good writing moves me.It makes me cry, makes my heart sing, and causes me to pause and read every single word as slowly as possible.

I didn't began writing until after I turned 40. A year later, my first article was published. So many times I've said, "Thank you, God. You had a plan. I couldn't see it at the time, but You used my childhood editing for good."

So, with a heart that's still moved by beautiful words, I'm honored to help judge Stephanie's contest.

P.S. Anyone under 25 can enter.
P.S.S. Did anything in your childhood help prepare you for life?

Love,
Julie