On Saturday, March 10th, The Writing Project will be presenting a Writing Marathon Workshop at Waterville Valley Town Square, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. There is a payment fee of $25 and a required pre-registration. The workshop’s instructor is Fanny Fernandez, who is a teacher-consultant in New Hampshire for the National Writing Project

Dr. Meg J. Petersen, a professor at PSU, and the Director of the National Writing Project in NH, was kind enough to answer a few questions about the Workshop. Professor Petersen said, “The writing project is a network of writers and teachers dedicated to improving the teaching of writing across the country. It's a national project, but there are sites in each state. These sites design programs for teachers and students with the aim to help bring more writing into the schools and improve the way it is taught. We also have goals related to building equity, community, and inquiry in relation to the teaching of writing.”

For those who are interested in this event, getting involved is easy. Petersen said, “For the marathon, you simply have to sign up.

Don’t be nervous if your writing skills aren’t on par with others. The Workshop is for everyone to gain inspiration. “Anyone can participate in the writing marathon,” Petersen said, “The idea of the marathon is to use a place as inspiration for writing. People come away with many ideas generated through their participation in the marathon and writing that they can continue to develop.” So don’t be nervous to sign up, it’s a learning experience for everyone. “Participants will experience the marathon and emerge with writing inspired by place,” Petersen said, “They will learn a way of responding to each other's writing that encourages further writing. It is the kind of activity that welcomes people with any level of experience with writing. We learn how to draw inspiration from our surroundings, to refrain from judgement in order to allow ourselves to write more freely and discover new meanings.” The Writing Project is a national organization that works to improve the way writing is taught throughout schools. So, if you’re passionate about writing, or if you’re intrigued about learning more about The Writing Project, attend the Writing Marathon. Don’t miss this opportunity sign up at https:// www.events.unh.edu/RegistrationForm.pm?event_id=26899