VSA arts Writing Project

Call for Writing

The Theme - “At Second Glance”

Create a short work of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry that describes how a second opportunity to experience a sound, smell, sight, event, or personal interaction led you to change your perception or opinion. Think about a time when a situation was more interesting or less complicated than you first imagined it to be and write about your changing feelings. Delve into your imagination to explore creative situations, or examine a personal experience that made a lasting impression on you.

Relive a moment in your past, remembering when a situation made you feel scared, hesitant, or unhappy, but a "second glance" gave you an opportunity to feel fearless, confident, or happy. You may prefer to imagine a fictional incident where a second glance changed a person's opinion of what they experienced. Factual or fictional, create a detailed scenario where things are not what they seem to be at first and describe the transformation of the people, situation, or objects in your piece. What information led to these changes? What was not perceived during the "first glance?" What assumptions were made that proved false after deeper reflection?

Be specific—describe both the first and second experiences using as many sensory details as possible: sights, sounds, tastes, textures, and smells. Include some of the physical effects that result from strong emotions.

Submissions will be judged for creativity, technical proficiency, adherence to the theme, and presence of personal style and vision. Selected pieces will become part of the VSA arts online writing journal, Infinite Difference. Short fiction, nonfiction, and all poetic forms are welcome.

to top

Entry Guidelines

1. The call is open to students with disabilities and students who have connections to people with disabilities. Students must be between the ages of 11 and 18 years. Submissions must relate to the theme “At Second Glance.” 
    
2. Entries must reach VSA arts on or before Friday, November 21, 2008. 
    
3. Writing may be submitted in any language.
    
4. Writing must be original and created by the student submitting the entry. A total of two entries per student are allowed: one fiction or nonfiction piece and one poem. Guidelines for each genre of work are:
    
   • Fiction and nonfiction must not exceed 500 words. Works exceeding this length will not be accepted.
      
   • Poems must not exceed 100 lines. Poems exceeding this length will not be accepted. Poems intended for song lyrics are acceptable.
      
5. Alternate formats for texts, such as audio recordings or Braille, are welcome.
    
6. If the author is under 18, a parent or guardian must grant VSA arts the right to use writing submissions for public relations purposes, including, but not limited to, the VSA arts Web site, newsletter, related media, collection books, and exhibitions.
    
7. Writing, video, and audio tape submissions become the property of VSA arts and will not be returned. It is suggested that students make copies of their submissions before sending them to VSA arts.
    
8. Each submission must be accompanied by a separate entry form. Entries must be submitted by mail. You may download an entry form below. Entry forms must be signed by the author and parent/guardian for students under 18 years of age. The author’s name and title of work must be on all pieces included in the submission.

Send your entry to:
VSA arts—Call for Writing
818 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20006 USA

Submitting Applications

Entries must reach VSA arts on or before Friday, November 21, 2008.

2008 Application Documents
(Adobe format) Call for Writing Brochure   7.56 MB
(Adobe format) Call for Writing Entry Form   65.7 KB
(Text Format) Call for Writing Entry Form  12.2 KB
(Adobe format) Call for Writing Entry Form in Arabic  13.5 MB
(Adobe format) Call for Writing Entry Form in French  7.16 MB
(Adobe format) Call for Writing Entry Form in Spanish  7.60 MB

to top

Free Writing Tools for Educators and Parents

The call for writing is a tool to encourage educators to explore creative writing in their classrooms and learning environments. It is an opportunity to draw out the expressive minds of students of all abilities through the written word, while also addressing education standards in reading and writing. Educators new to creative writing can use this call as a catalyst for expanding teaching techniques. For those already using creative writing in their curricula, the call offers young writers a chance to share their talents and skills with a larger community.

VSA arts has compiled a series of writing guides for educators who desire to learn more about using creative writing to promote inclusive learning environments. These books offer concrete, simple, and adaptive lesson ideas and writing exercises with practical tips for working with students with disabilities. They are available online under Resources for Educators and Parents. An excerpt from one of the guides can be found below.

to top

to top