a group of local youngsters is so excited -- their work will soon be found in book form on the shelves of the Bermuda Youth Library and, hopefully, in homes throughout the Island.

`Young Voices' is an anthology of short stories produced by participants in the 1992 children's creative writing workshop conducted by Youth Library head, Mrs. Florenz Maxwell.

Their syllabus included learning how to develop character, theme and plot.

Like real authors, the children soon discovered that writing is a lot harder than it looks. Thoughts of scribbling out a story and going off to play were quickly dispelled by the meticulous Mrs. Maxwell.

From the first drafts, they went on to do many re-writes, shaping and polishing their work until Mrs. Maxwell was satisfied the stories were at their best.

The youngsters were rewarded with a young authors' party at hosted by the Premier, the Hon. Sir John Swan and Lady Swan at Camden, where they met renowned US children's author, Mr. Walter Dean Myers.

"We thought that was an appropriate way to celebrate the Youth Library's tenth anniversary in its present location,'' Mrs. Maxwell explained. "Mr.

Myers presented all the children with a certificate and a copy of his book, `Now is your Time.'' In addition to winning the Youth Library Prize, Miss Chantelle Simmons had the honour of hearing her story read to the guests by Miss Ruth Thomas of the Community and Cultural Affairs Department.

It was a gala occasion, which the Premier and Lady Swan particularly enjoyed -- so much so, in fact, that Lady Swan suggested the children's stories be bound into a book and made available at the Youth Library.

Since then, Mrs. Maxwell and her husband, Dr. Clifford Maxwell, have been working together to make `Young Voices' a reality.

"My husband has been invaluable,'' Mrs. Maxwell said. "He put everything on his computer so that it looks like printing, and also responsible for the layout and cover design.'' Friends of the Library also became involved in the project, and are currently promoting advance sales of `Young Voices' at a special pre-publication price.

All proceeds will benefit the Youth Library.

This week, Community spoke with some of the young authors about the writing workshop and what it has meant to them.

Laura Mickiewicz, a 14-year-old student at the Bermuda High School, took the workshop for a second time because she likes writing and "basically it was something to do''.

Her story, `Charlie's Place', is about a detective trying to solve a murder.

"The workshop taught me that it's not what you write but what you re-write that counts,'' she said. "And of course, as you rewrite you keep changing your ideas, so it's hard.'' Even harder, Laura found, was making her story "long and interesting''. She has no plans to become a full time writer.

"It takes too much time and patience,'' she said. "Art and computers are my favourite subjects.'' Laura was delighted to know she will be helping the Library in a constructive way.

"I think selling the book is a good idea. The Library deserves (help). From what I understand, it is not being given the money it needs, so I am happy to be part of the contribution.'' Daniel Burgess (14) is a student at Northlands School. He took the workshop at his mother's suggestion and found it "okay''.

No doubt influenced by having a computer of his own and a father who works in the field, Daniel's story, `The Secret of the Mystery Ship', is is about a detective looking for a "highly explosive'' secret microchip lost in Bermuda.

"Spelling was the hardest part of the course,'' Daniel felt. Otherwise he thought it was "okay'' and said it had helped him with school essays.

Mathematics remains his favourite subject, although he wants to be a cartoonist some day.

Thomas Stowe , an 11-year-old student at West Pembroke School, chose to highlight the importance of telling the truth when he wrote `The Broken Ladder' -- a story about a boy who broke a ladder and lied about being the culprit.

"Some people lie, and I wanted to show how much trouble you can get into with no way out, because once you lie it becomes a habit and it gets worse,'' he explained.

Although he describes art and science as his"equal favourite'' subjects, Thomas said the young authors' workshop had also helped him at school.

"I used to be better at writing stories, but now I'm real good. My vocabulary (is equivalent to) year one of high school, and my comprehension is at year seven, even though I'm in year six,'' he explained.

The thought of impending "fame'' pleases him.

"I think it's real great, because then other kids might want to know me, and I really like the fact that my story is going to be in the Library,'' Thomas said.

An avid reader, he is especially fond of mysteries. Chantelle Simmons (15) is a student at Warwick Academy. Her story, `The Need to Succeed', is about a dyslexic girl and the problems she faces.

Chantelle's inspiration arose out of a discussion about IQs she had with someone taking a psychology course, and it was good enough to win her the Bermuda Youth Library prize.

In addition to having her story read aloud at the Camden party, Chantelle enjoyed meeting Mr. Myers, whom she described as a "really down to earth person.'' She too found re-writing the hardest part of the course, but said that overall it had helped her "in so many ways'', particularly with her "O'' level short story writing. Chantelle also writes poetry "for fun,'' and lists music, English and geography as her favourite subjects.

An enthusiastic supporter of the fund-raiser concept, Chantelle said she would be selling `Young Voices' to all her friends, and noted that her family would be giving the book as Christmas gifts. Loren Emery , a 14-year-old Warwick Academy student, wrote a mystery with a Caribbean setting and "a lot of detective work''. Entitled `Mark Jones and the Diamond Mystery', it took her a week to write, and half as long to re-write.

"Writing was the easy part,'' Loren said ruefully.

She too likes the idea of being able to help the Library through book sales.

A keen reader of non-fiction, Loren also writes poetry.

"My family is very proud of me,'' the teenager said of her achievement.

Stephanie Bean 's story, `Shana's Predicament', which won her an honour award, centres around a young girl's honesty and whether or not she owns up to knocking over a cycle at Cup Match.

The Warwick Academy student signed up for the workshop at her mother's behest because English was one a best and favourite subject.

"I learned that writing is hard work but a lot of fun. There is a lot of detail,'' she said of the experience.

Stephanie attributed her interest in writing to the inspiration she received from her mother, who writes poetry.

The Young Authors' workshop and her schoolmates had also motivated Stephanie to continue writing.

"We do a Rainbow of Talent at assembly, and I read out my story.

Afterwards, everybody said it was really well written and thought somebody else had written it! I was really excited, and it was very encouraging to me.'' Noting that her family was very proud of her, Stephanie said she was delighted to know that sales of `Young Voices' would benefit the Library.

Harrington Sound School pupil Jessica Mickiewicz (11) finally got to join her older sister on the workshop after waiting impatiently for some years to reach the required age.

Her story, `The Treasure Hunt', is set in St. George's, and involves a search for a gold jewel box using a map found in an antique shop.

"The heroine is ten, and in the workshop of her search she also cleans up trash left at the treasure site,'' the youngster explained.

Although she enjoyed the workshop "so much'', Jessica doubts writing will be her chosen career.

"Maybe I'll be a writer, but re-writing and re-writing is hard,'' she admitted. "In fact, it's surprising how hard it is to write a story. I would go again to the course, however. It was fun.'' Glad to know of the plans for `Young Voices', Jessica confirmed the book was already on her Christmas shopping list.

And her schoolmates are sure to help.

"When I told them about the book they said, `Oh, neat!' '' she revealed.

At age ten, Aria Bean loves to write, and says English Language "has to be my favourite subject''.

Her story, `Sally's Big Problem', reflects Aria's interest in marine life, particularly whales and dolphins.

"My story has a lesson in it, and is about how a dolphin and a whale help to solve a problem,'' she explained.

So far, the response to it has been good. Apart from being included in `Young Voices', Aria says "my teacher liked it and my mother was impressed''.

And did she want to be a writer when she grew up? "Probably not,'' she responded. "It's going to be too much work.'' Publication of Young Voices is scheduled for December 1. Advance copies may be ordered until October 28 through Friends of the Library c/o The Bermuda Youth Library, 74 Church Street. After that date, the price will be $15. Cheques should be made payable to Friends of the Library.

COVER STORY -- Friends of the Library are now taking orders for `Young Voices', an anthology of short stories by Bermudian children, at the pre-publication price of $12.50.

FLASHBACK -- Participants in the Bermuda Youth Library's 1992 Creative Writing workshop were entertained at Camden, the Premier's official residence. Joining the Premier, the Hon. Sir John Swan and Lady Swan (second and third left) were noted US children's author, Mr. Walter Dean Myers (fourth from right), Youth Library head Mrs. Florenz Maxwell (third from right) and then-Minister of Community & Cultural Affairs, the Hon. Leonard Gibbons (second from right).

Winner of the Youth Library award, Miss Chantel Simmons, stands fifth from right.