Say it with sound!

Share your stories, essays, songs in your own voice! Click here to hear podcasts and see info on how you can do it. (No equipment necessary.) Click here to create podcast. (Put podcasts in keywords.)

Give feedback!

Each day we have new writing -- and new selections on the front page. An important part of this project is to give each other positive, constructive feedback. So add your comments to the writing. Read as a writer. Help out your fellow young writer!

podcasts

Summer plans

YWP participants,

The Summer of Writing has begun.... Thanks for all your participation. Hope the summer is going well for you. -- gg (and thanks for your best wishes; I AM all healthy now!)

PROSE WEEK 2 ... A week in which all you write are stories and essays and vignettes and anecdotes and podcasts ONLY IN PROSE. No poetry. No free verse. Full sentences. And paragraphs. Create a blog entry and use KEYWORD: prose week WONDERFUL WRITING CAME IN. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTINUE SUBMITTING PROSE -- Narrative fiction and non-fiction, essays, etc...
AUGUST 4 to....AUGUST 10

PODCAST DAY 3 .... We wanted a rush and got a trickle... Thursday was our first Podcast Day, but we want to keep trying. Let's shoot for THURSDAY August 7 for Podcast Day 3. Record sound. Record conversations in your town. Interview folks. Tell us a story. Record a piece of writing. Launch into an essay on any subject -- convince us you are right! Have fun. And you CAN do it if you don't have equipment! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO. NEW: You can create a podcast TWO WAYS: as a blog entry, just upload the podcast file or, under create content, create a podcast. Either way, use KEYWORD: podcasts
DATE: August 7 (Begin earlier if you want.)

MY STORY ... Pick a memorable moment from your life. Something that happened, something you did, something you witnessed. Tell a story about it that will tell us about you. 400 WORDS. NO REAL NAMES PLEASE. Try to focus on something very specific, give us detail. Create a blog entry and use KEYWORD: my story
DUE: Aug. 10

ONE SENTENCE ... Tell a story in one sentence. Only one. (For some ideas, take a look at the keyword link. Or go to onesentence.org) Create a blog entry and use KEYWORD: one sentence
ONGOING

MY TOWN ... Write about your town or city. Tell us one story or one anecdote that reveals something about your community -- why you like it (or don't), what it stands for, what it's known for. You can tell a historical story. You can base it on an interview. YOU CAN DO A PODCAST in which you capture the sounds and voices of your community to complement your writing. Create a blog entry and use KEYWORD: my town
DUE: AUGUST 10

NOTES: YWP is a nonprofit, meaning we are always looking for money. Click "Support" above if you want to find out more about how you, your family or friends can help support this project.

cheers
gg

Podcasts and Guidelines

A podcast is, simply, an audio story or essay. Click here for samples. Below are instructions on how to write a podcast and then TECHNICAL STUFF to record your audio piece. You do NOT need any equipment other than a computer and telephone. Also below are ways to get your piece considered for broadcast on Vermont Public Radio. IMPORTANT: You can now create a podcast in two ways -- upload a podcast file to your blog entry -- or create a podcast; either way, put the KEYWORD: podcasts in the keywords section of your entry so everyone can find them.

On the Verge of Tears

Podcast: 

By Anna Rutenbeck
Williston Central School, Grade 8
Editor's note: The author wrote this about a dramatic reading of an award-winning high school play at her school.

"I was in, the classroom, the gym, the hallway, the bathroom"
That's how it started
We all figured that it would be just another play, just like so many others that we had heard already
But as they kept reading, any trace of a smile on our faces disappeared
As the readers continued we stared, white faces
When they were finished it was silent
Most of us were on the verge of tears, and the ones that weren't were just shocked

Geist's picture

Fine (Geist song)

So I've been working on a bigger song with a motherload of new programs I've come across on the internet, but since it's taking longer than I imagined, I will give you all this bit as compensation.

Piano, percussion, vocals: Geist with usage of Audacity and Hammerhead programs

Oh, and, yes, it's actually a happy song.

Yay.

Enjoy.

-Geist

Lyrics:

It’s those times when so little,
just a little means so much,
when a look from you,
means as much as,
such and such,

When the world is bright and,
you look just right and,
the feeling of stress
ain’t stress no more,
it’s just fine.

Lose your mind,
it’s bored of it’s games
so take the time
to see the day
for all that it can be.

Lose your mind,
it’s tired of it’s games
so take the time
to see the day
for all that it can be.

Yeah.

Usagi's picture

Incorporated

Sign right here, sign your life away.
Sign on the dotted line.
We could use your hands,
we could use your eyes,
and we’re gonna take your mind. We’ll pay
fifteen dollars a day.
We know you didn’t need it anyway.

You don’t have a choice.
You don't have a voice.
But if you did, we’re sure that you’d agree:
yes, you’re a mindless drone
but you’ll never be alone.
You’ve got a whole world’s worth of company.

Sign right here, sign your life away.
We’ll assure you it’s okay.
Talent like yours we always need.
Score another for corporate greed!
Sign, sign, sign your life away.

Sign right here, sign on the dotted line.
We’ll assure you that it’s fine.
Resign your life to nine-to-five
and you’ll forget you were alive.
Sign, sign, sign on the dotted line.

You don’t have a choice.
You don’t have a voice.
Call 1-800-SHUT UP and we’ll put you on hold.
You’re almost sixty now
and you’re wondering how

rebel_angel's picture

With Wings

Its continuously buffering..so if anyone knows how to fix that please tell me!

She's got angel wings spiraling
out from her shoulder blades,
inked on by a woman who's eyes
are etched with Kohl and fingers
dangling with $10 "diamonds".

My wings, she told me,
my wings let me fly,
I didn't believe her.
With peppermint lips she
smacked out the words,
"Angels have wings and so do I!".
I could see that.

She stood there, eyes, sad.
She wanted to believe what she
had just said.
But the woman with the $10 "diamonds"
and eyes etched with Kohl told her
"Honey, fairy tales are over."

Usagi's picture

Just Warning You

You’ve waited so long,
waited—for me.
But am I worth waiting for?
You’ve witnessed firsthand
my cruelty
and I’ve been cruel before.

My answer to your questions
so nervous new
has given me a power
over you.
And I’ve hurt you in the past.
This won’t be the last.

What we so shyly started
in the theater’s glow
began with conversations
from months ago.
You gotta remember what I’ve done since then.
Do you really want to go through that again?

You’ve waited so long,
waited—for me,
the one who leads you on.
You’ve waited so long
for me to agree
and just as soon I’m gone.
(gone again.)

My answer to your questions
so nervous new
has given me a power
over you.
And I’ve hurt you in the past.
This won’t be the last.
(just warning you.)

imagine's picture

New Mistake (imagine)

Podcast: 

Chorus:
This is what a love song sounds like
when I'm not in love.
I can hear the raindrops
racing down from up above,
crawling in my eyes as I
begin to wake,
a beautiful reminder of
my new mistake.

You said
I'm scared I won't find
someone
as good as you.

Me too.

That night
your flesh was my blanket
as I told you that
I was so afraid
of losing you.
You said,
I'll defy the laws,
even if I die
I'll still be with you,
I'm the wind,
I am inside you.

I believed you.

Chorus

Now you say
I don't think I
ever loved you as much
as you loved me.

So what was that night
when you
held me so close
that we were one?
Just a memory,
have you already
forgotten?

Chorus

You once said
I'm scared I won't find
someone
as good as you.

Me too.

imagine's picture

Too late? (imagine)

Podcast: 

I'm writing this
while her fingers kiss mine,
and her head rests on my knee.
And I think of what
you would think,
while her lips greet mine,
and she thinks of me.

Chorus:
So this, so this, so this,
so this is the emotion
of confusion.
It feels like my mind
is whispering a scream,
and I am undone,
and I am undone.

She is talking,
but I am remembering
how simply you said
I still love you.
As her skin scrapes on mine,
I am wondering,
do I still love you too?

Chorus

Bridge:
Maybe it's too late,
maybe it's too late.
Maybe I'm falling in love with her,
maybe I don't know
anything
anymore.

Did you keep
the love painting?
I still have the paper rose,
and your poetry,
and the memories.
Do you still have
the secret love notes?

Chorus

Maybe it's too late,
maybe it's too late.

ParisianTwist's picture

Ought to Be (Parisiantwyst)

Podcast: 

Impromptu song.
May get around to writing down the lyrics when I listen to it again.

Guitar and Vocals: Paris

(I believe "you" throughout the whole song refers to death, or a personification of such.)

awsmpossum's picture

Quarters (Obscure and Awsm song)

Podcast: 

Collaborative song between awsm and obscure. Awsm is on vocals, obscure on guitar.

You were framed by my old house
billowing smoke came from your mouth
you were young and I was old
we first kissed before the cold

Searched for elements of you
our morning tent was wet with dew
read your words and saw your face
we will always have that place

We are we were
too far with her
all caps high five
her lips alive

I met her there on your front lawn
where we made love until the dawn
it's not the time it's not the place
were no tears upon your face

We are we were
too far with her
all caps high five
her lips alive

I still come and see you there
I hate it that you grew your hair
we got lost in all our rage
I wish things hadn't had to change

We are we were
too far with her
all caps high five
her lips alive...

awsmpossum's picture

Holding Back (Obscure and Awsm song)

Podcast: 

Lyrics, guitar, harmony by obscure. Vocals by awsm.

I saw your face there on
the corner.
It was in place of
my mouth on yours.
The paper bottles and
letter jackets
told me you'd been driving
back and forth.

I cannot
hold you back.
You cannot
hold me back.
Since when
did you cry?

I went and whispered
your name to millions.
I cannot tell you
what was said.
I broke you open and
climbed inside your hand.
You told me nothing would
ever change your mind.

I cannot
hold you back.
You cannot
hold me back.
Since when
did you cry?

I cannot take you
for granted.
You spoke too plainly
when you called
my
name.
It was so long ago
now I don't even know
what is left here for
you to take.

I cannot
hold you back.
You cannot
hold me back.
Since when
did you cry?

I saw your face there on
the corner.

awsmpossum's picture

[Untitled] (Obscure and Awsm song) FINALLY PLAYING!

Podcast: 

This is an Obscure_One and awsmpossum original. Awsm on vocals and Obscure on guitar and harmony. We don't have a name for the tune or for us as a duo, so if you have any ideas, let us know.

perspiciens's picture

Ode to Otium (twisted)

Podcast: 

“If you leave
Things will go back
To the way
They always were”

“Things are
The way
They always
Were”

“Not for
Me”

At present

I can see
This conversation
A few ways

Me -> someone -> me
Someone -> me -> someone
Me -> me -> me

The first
One person
In particular
Three in stretching points

The second
You know
Who you are
But not
What may happen

The third
My insane self
Talking to me
Role playing
I guess

I’m confused
I understand
I’m melancholy
I’m in high-spirits
I wonder
I know

My life
Is a goddamn
Paradox

My frequent nostalgia
Complicates life
For everyone

Bringing up old topics
Ripping off old scabs
Pondering symbolic interpretations

I feel like
I’m a pain
A splinter
A blister

With the need to know
Everything
All the time
RIGHT NOW!!!

Just remember
Who I am
What I am

That I’m me

imagine's picture

Jezebel

Podcast: 

The lyrics:

Chorus:
Jezebel
kisses all of their lips
and it tastes like hell.
She loves the skin,
the warmth of bodies is the only way
that she can win.
Jezebel, Jezebel,
I wish you well.

She uses perfume to hide
the scent of deceit,
she uses perfume.
And everyone stares
as she walks through the doors
into the room.

Chorus

She uses her hair to hide
her midnight eyes
and all their despair.
She uses her blood red lips
to get them all to stare.

Chorus

(Guitar)

Chorus

Jezebel,
Jezebel,
Jezebel,
Jezebel,
I wish you well...

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