UND Summer Writing Camp for Teens is Aug. 6-10 A feast of fiction, a taste of journalism, and a dash of poetry with some memoir sprinkled in. That's what students can expect at the University of North Dakota Summer Writing Camp Aug. 6-10, Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Directed by professional writers Peter Johnson and Kate Sweney, the camp will operate out of the writing lab in the UND School of Communication, located in O’Kelly Hall. Designed for students 15-19 years of age, the UND Summer Writing Camp will help students build on current writing skills, introduce new writing skills, and learn about a variety of writing techniques and genres. Students will be exposed to a variety of genres of reading and writing, including journalism, literary journalism and fiction. In addition to talking about writing and reading published writers’ work, students will have time each session to do their own writing on UND computers. Over the course of five four-hour classes, students will: • Develop writing skills • Explore brainstorming techniques • Discuss plot development • Discuss character development • Develop sensory techniques (i.e. sight, smell, sound, taste, touch in descriptive writing) • Develop critical thinking skills "This camp is a chance to discover the magic of writing, the magic that transforms daily experience and observations into works of art that connect us with the larger world. That magic is best discovered through writerly muscles developed by writing and responding to work with other writers in a supportive atmosphere," said Sweney. She has worked with great writing teachers and editors for more than 20 years and enjoys teaching the craft to others. She has been a newspaper reporter, a technical writer and an editor. She co-edited "Day In, Day Out: Women’s Lives in North Dakota" and has written many articles for various papers and magazines including "USA Today" and "True West." She teaches writing at UND. Students will learn tips about the art and craft of writing from some of the world's best writers. A key to succeeding in any chosen field in life is the ability to communicate effectively through writing. We’ll help students develop the tools that will help them succeed at whatever kind of writing they wish to pursue," said Johnson, a published writer for more than 30 years. UND's media relations coordinator since 1988, Johnson has taught writing at the University of North Dakota, Lake Region State College, Central High School in Grand Forks, the Northern Interscholastic Press Association, and the North Dakota Newspaper Association. He has been a journalist and editor for seven publications, and has won writing awards through the North Dakota Newspaper Association and the North Dakota Jaycees. He holds degrees in English and education, and he's been certified to teach English at the high school level in North Dakota. Cost is $110. To register or to find out more, contact Peter Johnson at peterjohnson@mail.und.edu or at 777-4317.