We thought we were impressed when the students from the Writopia writing program sent in their six-word memoirs. They were sensitive, thoughtful, and clever. Some were mega-meta, spanning Hemingway to high school and back again. But that was nothing compared to the talent and poise these kids exude in person.

Reading at the beautiful Jefferson Market Branch of the NYPL, they shared poetry about Woody Allen, memoir about t-shirt selling, and even a screenplay about unlikely friendships. Seeing how much they were capable of made us all the more honored to be specially invited for a six-word memoir segment. We answered a few questions about book publishing, signed our book, and asked the young writers to sign theirs.

Larry said he thought there was “something in the water” making this generation so much smarter than we were (are?) but it’s also just more evidence of how many stories there are inside everyone, regardless of age or background. Tell them. Ask for them. Make your own books and read in the streets. Oh yeah, and invite us to come!

Tags: readings, teens, writopia