
DATE: Thursday, September 25, 1997          TAG: 9709240165

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 10   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   99 lines

AUTHORS GIVE YOUNG WRITERS ADVICE TO SQUIRREL AWAY THE WORKSHOP AT BETHLEHEM CHRISTIAN CHURCH FEATURED NANCY RUE AND SIGMUND BROUWER.

If you want to be a good writer, think of yourself as ``a squirrel gathering nuts.''

Christian author Nancy Rue offered that tip during her keynote address to the Young Writers' Institute in Suffolk last weekend.

So what do writing and nut-gathering have in common? According to Rue, writing should be done for the joy of it. Aspiring writers should allow themselves to have fun. Also, writers - like hungry squirrels - need to develop and fine-tune their skills. And young writers need to look within themselves and find out who they are and what works for them.

``I think everything has to do with writing and everyone's a writer in some sense,'' Rue continued. ``So begin gathering nuts and life experiences and write about them,'' she said.

Canadian author Sigmund Brouwer picked up Rue's analogy and continued the keynote speech. ``Gather nuts - research books, visit museums, take horse-back riding lessons, talk to people, play hockey - do whatever and then take those ideas and experiences and change them to fit what you're writing about.''

``Is writing difficult?'' Brouwer asked. ``Yes, it's one of the toughest things you do,'' he pointed out. ``But have big dreams . . . don't quit . . . live your dream,'' he continued.

The Young Writers' Institute was not your typical classroom situation, but it rated an entertaining and educational Emmy among students. Over 120 eager young people in grades 3 through 12, and several dozen adults filled the fellowship hall of the Bethlehem Christian Church for the two-day creative writing workshop.

For the two-hour opening session, students listened attentively and laughed hysterically at the zany stories spun by Rue and Brouwer. There were tales of shooting watermelons from slingshots, a hockey player peeling off a roach-infested uniform and outhouse accidents. Great story stuff.

Following a book-signing session, Rue and Brouwer led several afternoon workshops to give students knowledge and first-hand experience with some of the tools of writing. Brouwer covered techniques of editing, creating characters and the power of being well-read. While Brouwer interacted with his students, Rue shared her expertise about writing historical fiction. There were tips on how to read history, doing research, organizing ideas and making outlines.

Brouwer and Rue shared from their wealth of real-life experiences as professional writers. Brouwer has 40 titles for young readers in print. Among these are the ``Accidental Detectives,'' the ``Winds of Light'' series, ``Lightning On Ice'' and the futuristic ``Cyberquest.'' He also has numerous titles for adults including the best-selling ``Double Helix.''

Brouwer spends much of his time teaching students - nearly 10,000 per year - about the joys of reading and writing. He and his wife, recording artist Cindy Morgan, divide their time between their homes in Nashville, Tenn., and Alberta, Canada.

Formerly a high school English and theater teacher who got her start at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Rue is now a full time free-lance writer. She has written 27 books including the Focus On the Family's Christian Heritage series and several young adult and adult fiction titles. Rue lives with her husband, daughter and three black Labrador dogs in Lebanon, Tenn.

Rue, Brouwer and four other Christian authors will participate in 12 Young Writers' Institutes across the U.S. this year. ``I really love kids and this gives me a chance to get out and share with them,'' Rue explained.

Students left Suffolk's YWI with rave reviews. Judson Alphin, 15, of Zuni admitted, ``I wasn't that excited about coming, but I got so psyched up about writing I wanted to go home and write a book.''

Alphin, an avid reader, is working his way through Brouwer's novel, ``Double Helix.'' "It really makes a lot of difference when you know the author,'' he explained.

Thirteen-year-old Rachael Tribby of Windsor commented, ``It was really fun and educational. I've always liked to write but I wasn't that interested in history. Now I have a lot of good ideas, and I learned how to do research. I've tried writing historical fiction before, but now I know a lot more about how to do it.''

Writing enthusiast Candace Rardon of Suffolk, age 11, noted, ``It was really educationally fun . . . I learned the basis of a good story: start with a problem, make the problem worse, then solve it. That was really helpful.,'' Rardon concluded.

Suffolk's Young Writers' Institute drew students from all across Hampton Roads and eastern North Carolina. It was sponsored by H.I.S., Homeschooling In Suffolk. MEMO: H.I.S. has meetings on the second Thursday of each month at the

Westminster Presbyterian Church in Suffolk. For further information,

call chairman Susan Crane at 539-7433. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER

Hand language, body language and a little English language are part

of author Nancy Rue's message to aspiring young writers.

Christian author Nancy Rue and Sigmund Brouwer spoke to the young

writers at a conference at Bethlehem Christian Church in Suffolk.

Authors Nancy Rue and Sigmund Brouwer signed copies of their books

during the Young Writers' Institute. ``So begin gathering nuts and

life experiences and write about them,'' Rue advised the aspiring

writers. Brouwer said writing is a tough craft, ``but have big

dreams . . . don't quit . . . live your dream.''