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"At this writing center founded by a trio of journalists, youth are using storytelling to help boost literacy and self-confidence."
— "The United States of Innovation,"
Fast Company
"Standing firm behind their belief that writing should be fun, the Telling Room encourages young people to tell their stories with games and field trips designed to awaken the writers within each of the kids lucky enough to participate." [more]
— "Portland's Best: Editor's Pick for Non-Striking Writers,"
Portland Phoenix
"I was in awe. I'd never seen children so excited about
writing....Here, pride in writing and confidence in storytelling is
cultivated. The Telling Room fosters free thought within programs that
develop good writing skills—pre-writing to get the juices flowing,
reminders to use all the senses for inspiration, note-taking and
writing while experience is fresh. (The public school systems might
learn a thing or two from the Telling Room!) I couldn't be more
excited about this organization and its benefit to children in the
community." [more]
— “A Story for Writers and Cat Lovers,” The Maine Switch
"Your story was very eye-opening to the troubles that our world goes
through. I am just awed. I've read stories similar to this kind of
thing, but then reading it firsthand from your point of view. Wow." [more]
— Lexi Pelletier, 15, on the writing of Aruna Kenyi, 18,
from “Refugees' Stories Rivet Students,” Portland Press Herald
"I recently had the pleasure of doing a reading in Portland, Maine. In addition to the fact that it was one of the most responsive and intelligent crowds imaginable, and the reading was held in a truly beautiful space (called, I believe, The Space) there was another great pleasure associated with my visit. That afternoon I had the chance to talk to some wonderful high-school-age writers at a place called The Telling Room..." —Writer George Saunders, on his Amazon Blog.
"(Telling Room student authors) illuminate the world inhabited by so many people who have found new homes in Portland—and across Maine—often
seeking better living conditions, and freedom from fear of attack, but arriving
to find new fears, and old ones, still arising." [more]
— from “I'm Done Killing Hyenas,” Portland Phoenix
"Through his writing, (Telling Room writer Hassan) Jeylani said he found that his Muslim religion has played a constant role no matter where he has lived. He said his story pushed him to rededicate himself to his faith as a way of centering his life.
"Kenyi, 17, said he was satisfied with his first
attempt at writing, but found more inspiration after hearing the story of
Valentino Achak Deng, who visited Portland in February with author Dave Eggers.
The two collaborated on What Is the What, a
book based on Deng's life. Since then Kenyi has started writing his complete
story.
"Aqila Sharafyar said she was excited about
the idea of writing and knew she had to write about her father. He loved doves
and spent hours with the birds, feeding and talking to them in a small house
next to the family home in Kabul, Afghanistan. The 17-year-old Deering High School student
said she wanted to tell her story to give others a sense of the security that
comes with living in the United States. 'It's exciting to write about this because I want to share my story with people,' she
said." [more]
— from “Stories to Tell,” Portland Press Herald
(Question:
'What's the secret to good writing?' Telling Room Guest Writer Susan Orlean answers) "With kids, I just try to encourage them to enjoy it; that's such a huge
part of the battle. A lot of kids sort of dread writing and look at it as
a burden. I try to get them to think of the possibilities.” [more]
— from “Eye for Little Stories,”
Portland Press Herald-Maine Sunday Telegram
"Recently, Jonathan Lethem, recipient of the ultra-prestigious MacArthur Genius Grant, came to SPACE for a reading. Beforehand, he met with a group of Portland-area students to discuss what he does all day. Lucky them, right? Well, it wasn't just luck. It was the work of the Telling Room, a grassroots organization of local writers intent on getting kids geeked-up about their craft."
"'We're big believers in the power of storytelling,' says (Telling Room co-founder Michael) Paterniti. 'If you tell me your story, and I tell you mine, we've
already reached a higher level of intimacy in 10 minutes than we have with
most people we meet on a daily basis'." [more]
— from “Helping Kids 2 Go Tell It in Portland,” Portland Phoenix
Folks are buzzing about the Telling Room:
The United States of Innovation
Fast Company
Portland's Best: Editor's Pick for Non-Striking Workers
Portland Phoenix
A Story for Writers and Cat Lovers
The Maine Switch
Refugees' Stories Rivet Students
By Tess Nacelewicz
Portland Press Herald
'I'm Done Killing Hyenas'
Portland Phoenix
Staff, cover story
Stories to Tell
By Justin Ellis
Portland Press Herald,
NXT: The Next Generation
Eye for Little Stories
By Ray Routhier
Portland Press Herald-Maine Sunday Telegram
Helping Kids 2 Go Tell It in Portland
By Sam Pfeifle
Portland Phoenix