Dear Subscribers,

I’ve been thinking a lot about how to give back to society in the best ways I know how. Teaching children how to read and helping adults (and kids) express themselves through writing are my two gifts to the world. Maybe I have more, but these two feel blinding right now for me. So, I am listening to the universe as it screams. 

Since I am no longer in an actual classroom helping children overcome their dyslexia, I felt that itch to teach again. I made my way back to the classroom with an amazing group of adults ages 25-75 on Monday nights at our local Vo-Tech Academy. I teach them how to write memoir pieces. It’s a small group of nine, and we’ve also become fast friends during those two hours. “Healing Through Ink.” To say it’s fulfilling to listen, cry, laugh, and think with them is not enough. Funny enough, there aren’t words for this kind of satisfaction. 
 

The teenage forum required a bit more brainstorming. How can I showcase the teenage mind–their truths, their heavy weights. 

I want to give back to teens in a way that allows them to be heard. It’s always in youth where we learn the most about moving forward in society, so I’ve designed an online publication for teens ages 14-19 called PEAR. PEAR will exist as an extension of my blog and this newsletter. I will continue the usual author blog next month, along with PEAR.

Until October, enjoy the following piece by a New Jersey teenager who submitted her piece to PEAR. 

Surprises  

written by Julia H., a local NJ Senior. 

Life is full of surprises.

Who knew that surprise could make high school fly by?

It all started when I was just a freshman

Lacrosse season had just begun.

Life is full of surprises 

But, this surprise had hit us all.

As I entered the car, the phone rang.

It was the school.

School is closing,

Sports are canceled.

Life is full of surprises

But, not always good.

Covid was the storm

Only this time it struck home.

This left us all devastated and shocked

But, time flew by in just a blink of an eye.

After just a flutter I was a senior

And school feels closer to normal.

Life is full of surprises

Covid struck us all.

My whole world behind a screen

All one big zoom call.

Masks to social distancing

And being away from all of my friends.

I have lost my high school years

But, now I am a senior.

Class of 2023 

Life is full of surprises.

It is time to make those memories

Covid had deprived us.

PEAR is a digital/online space dedicated to publishing teen voices–

 of all shapes, sizes, stripes, polka dots, feathers, branches, and elements. Give me fire, earth, air, water, or sprinkles of honeysuckles. Give me dead roses if you don’t like anything bright. It’s YOUR writing I want to showcase in all of your pain, love, misery, joy, and genius. 

Under the umbrella of my author newsletter and author blog, I’m going to PUBLISH your work. You are welcome to work under a pen name. (elainawrites.com) All topics welcome. 

ALL 14-19 yr olds welcome. Email your submissions of 100 words or less to elainaparsons77@gmail.com

Meanwhile–enjoy this performance that I had the honor of attending in all of its spiritual splendor. Allow me to take you to my church:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRWyXbUrvGY