Power of the Pen

Published March 17, 2011

A select group of Williamson County middle school students recently honed their writing skills at the annual Power of the Pen Conference.

Six students from each middle school are chosen to attend the workshop based on their performance in a writing competition. While at the conference, those students receive advice and guidance from a group of high school writers and published authors.

Organizers say the purpose of the event is to help the middle school students improve their stories as they relate to theme, voice and imagery.

"Power of the Pen provides students with opportunities to collaborate with professional writers who can inspire, encourage and support them in their writing," said Independence High School Gifted Teacher Jackie Zigelsky.

While accepting criticism can be tough at times, the students say they're thankful for the opportunity to refine their writing skills at this special event.

"This has been one of the highlights of my school year," said Woodland Middle School eighth grader Hannah Belcher. "Power of the Pen offers something that is essential to an inspiring writer: professional encouragement, and more importantly, critique. I can't say how much I appreciated hearing one of the authors say how much a part of my writing stunk, before telling me how to fix it."