CHS creative writing students entered their work, which includes flash fiction and poetry, into the Young Writers contest. Many got their work published into the book “Hunted.” 

The Young Writers contest includes various contests throughout the year for different ages to enter. There are contents for elementary, middle and high schoolers to enter. Some contents even allow all ages to enter. Each student got their stories and names published into the book and got a copy of the book as well. 

“The contest was under the theme of being hunted, and the stories that we wrote were in relation to suspense, horror and the feeling of being apprehended,” English teacher James Steck said. “We submitted their work, and it got back; and all the people who submitted got accepted and published into this book,” 

Students could volunteer to enter the contest and had to create a 100-word story under a horror, scary and hunted theme. Some students took already written stories written by someone else and changed it into a version that followed the theme and others came up with their own stories.

Freshman Makayla Donnelly is one of the students that decided to enter their work. Donnelly’s 100-word story was based on “Little Red Riding Hood.” In the original story, during the last scene the wolf acts as the grandma, but Donnelly, following the theme of horror, replaced the role of the wolf with darkness, where the darkness surrounds her and takes her. 

“I feel accomplished; I’m really glad that the first work that I wrote got published,” Donnelly said. “When I heard the news, I was really happy,” 

The process of getting the students book published took about six months starting in October, and ending in April.  It took about three months for them to find out if they got published. 

In preparation, many had to create drafts of their work, talk to their teacher and eventually submit their work. The creative writing class has also had other opportunities to publish their works, such as the VHSL creative writing competition in which they placed fifth

“I’ve made a lot of accomplishments in creative writing, but publications are definitely what people are looking for, especially in writing to judge success, so I think it’s a really good step in the right direction.” Taylor said.