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The
Birth of Skribblers
It became apparent to
me when my son had reached the ripe old age of “7” that he was an author. This
was not a surprise as he had been creating books and stories for four years by that time. As a writer myself, I could relate
to his need to tell his stories and see them come to life. So arrived the question of publication. Oliver wanted to know was I published. I sheepishly replied “no”.
“ Of course you have to actually try,” I told him. “I’ll publish you Mommy,” he promised.
The wheels began to turn. Publication implied readership, so we started there. I
hatched a plan to start a writing circle for my son and some children his age. We met twice a week and
shared writing with some direction from me…but mostly the ideas of the children, we began to discuss
new writing each week. The children found their voices and created pieces for their peers in the group.
It was most gratifying for them to read one another’s work and subsequently be heard. As a natural outgrowth
of this process we decided to publish a magazine. It was to be called Scribblers. This
was quickly changed to Skribblers through no unfortunate misspelling of one of our number. The energy that
they brought to the project gave it breath and each child brought new work to be published. Myself and
the mothers did the technical work of putting it together. Then my husband was offered a new position and we were to
move. Not terribly far, just up the Northway to Clifton Park. It was no longer
practical to meet with the old writing group…we started another. I didn’t
want to give up on Skribblers. I didn’t want to leave behind the founding members of Skribblers. I
decided to draw together our old community of Albany and our new community of Shenedehowa in a publication of children’s
writing. This would be a way to connect two communities and allow them to know one another while encouraging
writing. This connection process was the living reality for my children and I at the time. We
moved from one community to another. The response was and has been phenomenal. Children want to be heard.
They are motivated by publication with readership, and they enjoy reading the work of other children. Several months, sleepless nights, and feedback letters later, we have the
current entity. A living document that chronicles the voices of our children. Oliver
and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Founder/Managing Editor/Executive Director: Tammy Ellis Robinson
For programs and classes offered by Mrs. Robinson visit www.outoftheboxalbany.com
Some of you have asked about Mrs. Robinson's writing.
Below are links for her blogs.
3 Sisters Village Collaborative blog.
Spiraling Sparks...Mrs. Robinson's poetry
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