Another amazing night at Ayr Writer’s club, where an interesting, insightful, and fun evening was had by everyone in attendance. Rebekah’s background as a journalist writing for teen magazines was apparent throughout her presentation talk and she certainly knew her subject, creating fun exercises and discussions that allowed us all to find our inner teenage selves again.
The first exercise asked us to think about which books, dramas, or series shaped us during our teenage years and how they affected each of us. Interestingly, most club members recalled that teen magazines had a greater impact on them rather than books when they were younger. Several members mentioned Jackie Magazine; one member said her mother banned it for being too edgy. This remark sparked laughter, as the content in Jackie, once considered daring, seems quite mild by today’s standards.
Rebekah discussed how teens are a unique audience; what they read shapes their identities and helps them explore different scenarios and boundaries in a safe way, without direct experience. 
She also noted that teenagers can detect when a story feels forced or a character is inauthentic, they do not want to be lectured, they want to draw their own conclusions and as their culture is always evolving—what’s popular today may not be tomorrow.
The second exercise involved writing about a questionable choice that a teenager might make, exploring both the motivation behind it and their response when things go awry. 
Several engaging stories were shared aloud, including one about a 15-year-old dating an 18-year-old and the insecurities that surfaced, another about a teen who painted on a wall to get a crush’s attention. 
A humorous reflection was shared about an old diary, written as a teen, which focused embarrassingly on boys, boys and boys, something the majority of the members in the group found relatable.
Rebekah concluded her presentation with an engaging exercise, prompting each member to write a letter to our younger selves. The activity was both enjoyable and reflective, producing thought-provoking and amusing recounts. Two letters in particular entertained the group. The first involved a young girl who tried to fit in by squeezing into a pair of tight Lee Cooper jeans. The second reassured her younger self that trigonometry would never factor in her life, so she could stop stressing.
The evening ended beautifully with Morag reading from her intriguing time-travel historical piece inspired by last week’s speaker, Steven Verrapen.
Jacquie Strathdee