We organize writing workshops for our contributors and readers. We cover topics such as cohesion, coherence, continuity of sense, logic, and style. We also benefit from the experiences of the writers we invite to our workshops.
7th Writing Workshop (January 30 – March 6, 2022)
Participants’ Opinions
“I am delighted to have participated in the Young Çağlayan Writing Workshop. The seminars we attended, along with the comments and guidance from experts in the field on our weekly writings, added immense value to me. My passion for writing has been rejuvenated once again. I owe a debt of gratitude to all the brothers and sisters who contributed to the preparation and presentation of our workshop, which resembled a family environment. May God grant me and the other young writers who participated in the workshop brilliance in our pens and a bright future as their hearts.” (Serhat, France)
“The writing workshop was very productive and enjoyable for me. The exchange of ideas and the insights from our mentors were wonderful and added a lot to my knowledge. I am very happy to have stepped into such an environment.” (Leyla, Germany)
“The Young Çağlayan Writing Workshop, which I had intended to join a few times but could only participate in the seventh one, was very productive for me. The evaluation of our writings by both our knowledgeable elders and our friends with different perspectives was very valuable. I keep saying ‘Thank goodness!’ again and again and express my gratitude. May God grant success to our young writers.” (Zeynep Sena, Germany)
“First and foremost, I want to express how beneficial the writing workshop was for me. I had the opportunity to improve myself by writing on different topics each week. Additionally, the comments from the mentors and fellow participants with different perspectives contributed to the enhancement of my writings. I thank our dedicated mentors and wish success to other aspiring young writers.” (Hafsa, Germany)
“The writing workshop was a wonderful experience for me. Our writings on various topics every week were evaluated and commented on by our experienced mentors. The feedback received and the exchange of ideas among fellow participants enabled me to recognize my areas for improvement. I express my gratitude to everyone involved and wish success to those who will participate in future workshops.” (Saliha Betül, Germany)
“The writing workshop was both enjoyable and fruitful for me. I learned a lot and had a great time. It was a fantastic opportunity for me to read my writings to people who share the same love for writing and learn what they thought about my work and how I could improve my writing. I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in organizing this workshop.” (Hüseyin Arif, Germany)
6th Writing Workshop (September 26 – October 31, 2022)
Participants’ Opinions
“Decorating a blank page with words is a passion for me, the outcry of my inner voice, the speaker of my thoughts. I was delighted, I wrote; I got excited, I rushed to my papers; I got angry, I sought refuge in the white pages; I marveled, I consulted my mind; I imagined, I merged with pen and paper, and I wrote. My soul companions who understand me and describe me best. My writings, once mere saplings, have now turned into small trees with the help of our workshop, radiating energy, knowledge, and wisdom. If there was a light in the house, wouldn’t there be a light workshop for us? I feel a bit melancholic because, like everything else, we have reached the final destination of our workshop, but beside this melancholy, I cannot deny the excitement that awaits our next workshop. There is a greater need for workshops for my writings to become great oaks.” (Aylin, Finland).
“I participated in a writing workshop for the first time in my life. I had a very productive and beautiful experience. I will pray for the workshop colleagues and elders by name, God willing. After each workshop, I felt the peace of learning and being useful in my heart. I thank everyone involved. Hopefully, this beautiful ending will be the first step towards new beautiful beginnings. Farewell. With love and respect.” (Hacer, Moldova).
“It was a workshop where I focused on something related to myself for the first time in years. It was a process in which I could feel my mother tongue that I had set aside due to not taking myself seriously for a long time and the ability to express myself by writing again, which was given to me, and I am very grateful to those who contributed to bringing this out. I heard that there were values and potentials in the sentences I scribbled on every blank page I found since my childhood, but I couldn’t convince myself of that. However, during this workshop, I started to think and realize that my own sentences could have powers, that they could be useful not by staying silent or shouting, but by writing. I participated in activities that I would not even dare to try before, with people thousands of kilometers away, whom I did not know but suddenly developed sincere feelings for. This was my first writing workshop I attended, and I was eagerly looking forward to every Monday evening. Now I am both sad because I will see its end and excited because I will close a page in this new journey I embarked on and set sail for a new one. Thank you for your precious time you dedicated to us, I have learned a lot from you. May God bless you.” (Esra, Egypt).
“The workshop became a special door for me, opening to a completely different world within my everyday life. With each step I took through this door, I experienced feelings that deeply touched my heart and soul. I started writing short stories since elementary school, but in recent years, I neglected to give the pen and paper the gratitude they deserved, and I almost stopped writing. Thanks to writing workshops, I started writing again. I realized that when I couldn’t describe my feelings, I could express them more through writing. I believe that this awareness is precious. Despite the thousands of kilometers between us, it greatly affected me. I thank everyone involved.” (Nilüfer, USA).
“We are at the final destination of a road adorned with different ink colors. A mix of melancholy and excitement is evident within me. Every ending is a new beginning. May God grant us the ability to be pioneers of development and to emerge with honor from every task we undertake. May every step we take be a means to goodness. May every drop of ink that flows from our pens be a remedy for hearts. May we be individuals who can appeal to people’s souls, fulfill the duty of guidance with sincerity in everything we do, and maintain sincerity. May Godbe pleased with everyone who contributed.” (Lena, Germany).
“It was a workshop where I had the opportunity to return to writing after a certain period. Experiencing how a single word evokes different associations in each person’s mind and reading the resulting writings was very enjoyable. I felt like I found a piece of myself in every piece of writing. It was a pleasant experience for me. I thank everyone involved. I am grateful for your time. Stay well with love!” (Şebnem, Germany).
“Every beginning brings an end along with it. Just yesterday, I was saying, ‘The six-week process has started, who knows how it will go.’ And then, before we knew it, we were at the finish line. This workshop once again showed me that every person is a different universe, but when these universes come together, they produce a great spiritual richness. I had the opportunity to meet very valuable people, each one more precious than the other. My hope is that this acquaintance doesn’t end here but can be carried forward to serve even greater purposes. Regardless of age, people continue to learn and discover. I have learned a lot from all of you, and now it is time to practice what we have learned, for both you and us.” (Ayşegül, mentor, Germany).
“I believe that our six-week workshop was fruitful and productive. With each piece we read, we opened the door to a new realm of imagination. ‘Inspiration’ was something difficult to find, and even if found, it was often untouchable for me. Through the workshop, I saw that the door of inspiration opens for those who make an effort. Our friends here have strong writing skills. I hope they continue to write and remember to share their writings with Young Çağlayan.” (Derya, mentor, Germany).
“Although it is difficult to delve into their world of emotions with just seven sentences, that was actually our intention when we embarked on this journey. The number ‘seven’ reminded me of counting the days of the week while waiting for the workshop day. However, now the colorful weeks of the workshop have ended in six, without reaching seven. Even though the numbers go back and forth, I met eight precious individuals here. We embraced each other with the joy of meeting the future aspiring writers. We bid them farewell with luminous and prayerful words captured from the wings of an inspiration bird. May your journey be filled with open paths and abundant opportunities.” (Sümeyye, mentor, Germany).