By Katie Zuidema, Marketing Communications Specialist for Kent District Library
When I was in third grade, I won a writing contest at my school. The contest was called Young Authors and the winners got to share their stories with other winners at Calvin College. I don’t remember much except that my story was called How the Giraffe Got Its Long Neck. But that contest changed my life.
That was the first time I felt like I was really good at something. From that day on, I wanted to be a writer.
In middle school, I spent Career Day at The Grand Rapids Press.
In high school, I wrote for the yearbook.
In college, I majored in Journalism.
And today, I have my dream job — writing about all the exciting things taking place at Kent District Library.
And it all started by winning a little writing contest.
I hope my story encourages you to enter the Write Michigan Short Story Contest or to encourage your children to enter. You just never know what could happen. Maybe your story will wind up on the shelves of our KDL branches for all to enjoy? Maybe your child will be the next J.K. Rowling or James Patterson? Just give it a try. You don’t really have anything to lose!
And just in case you’re wondering, the giraffe got his long neck by befriending a bird who didn’t know she could fly. The giraffe had to stretch taller and taller in order to help his new pal.