There are so many creative ways to express yourself. Try these other ideas:

Photography—Take selfies with your friends, or pour your heart into a short film. No angle is too high or low as you “focus” on that perfect shot.

Film-making—Pour your heart into a short film, or take funny videos of your pets to post on Instagram or Vine. Let the cameras roll as you document the world.

Painting & Drawing—Bring out the beauty in the world around you, and bring your visions to life. Say a thousand words with your works of art.

Not Exactly You?

Everyone has their own substance.
If writing doesn’t sound
like yours, you can explore more
options below.

Take the quiz to discover your substance and find out what
motivates you.

Check out these other substances:

Get inspired by our Voices With Substance—learn about people from Hawai‘i who have found their substance.

GET STARTED NOW

You don’t always have to go far to find your passion—it’s easy to start right where you are, right now:

  • Start your own blog: The possibilities are endless when you have your own blog and can write what you want. Create posts of your literary work for your followers!
  • Try starting a journal! This may be a good outlet for your thoughts and ideas. Take a look at this site to gain helpful tools to start your journaling journey.

Get Moving

Just go out there and explore writing at your school, community and more:

  • Join your school’s newspaper or Yearbook Club to gain hands-on knowledge about writing and publishing
  • Connect with local writers in your community: Gain inside knowledge to their experiences and talents. Find a full calendar of events with local writers here:
  • Enter a writing contest: Why not have a chance to win prizes while you express your literary creativity?
  • Attend a writing conference: Why not have a chance to win prizes while you express your literary creativity?
  • Ever have the desire to perform your own monologue? Learn the steps on how to create one here
  • Learn at a writing workshop! Choose your area of interest and find a nearby writing workshop. Learn more about it here
  • Check out the annual Hawaii Book and Music Festival
  • Look into Bamboo Ridge Press: This publishing company has been around since 1978 and publishes literature from Hawaii writers. They have an online bookstore, provide events, and even have writing contests you can submit your stories or poems to
  • Venture down to Mark’s Garage. This 13-year-old community art center attracts over 45,000 people per year to 12 major exhibits and over 150 performances, lectures, screenings and workshops. They even offer creative classes for youth!

Stay Focused

Focus on writing, keep improving, and have fun as you set goals and fulfill them:

  • Thinking of studying English, writing, or linguistics in college? High school classes to help you prepare include: English Literature, English Language, Creative Writing, Journalism, Speech
  • Take a screenplay-writing course or other non-credit courses with University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Outreach College
  • Interested in writing for a newspaper in the future? Learn more about newspapers and finding articles in an effective manner
  • Don’t forget about American Sign Language! ASL relates to reading and writing because it is used to communicate information and stories. Signing is a useful skill that can allow you to interact with a whole new group of people.
  • Rediscover and preserve language for future generations
  • Learn about publications and preserving materials at the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC).

Get Involved

Great minds think alike. Connect and work with other people who like writing as you reach your dream:

  • Help others learn basic reading and writing skills with Hawaii Literacy
  • If you love reading or writing, work at a bookstore: Learn about writing, publishing, and commerce in a creative atmosphere
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