To enter the Listen to a Life Contest, a young person 8-18 years old interviews a person over age 50. It can be a neighbor, grandparent, or older friend (but not a parent). The young person then writes a 300-word essay (maximum) based on the interview. There is no charge to enter. For more details, including prizes, suggested questions, and examples of winning essays, visit http://www.legacyproject.org/contests/ltal.html. This contest encourages students to practice interviewing and reporting skills, and winners can add the prize to their summer job resumes and college applications. The biggest prize can be shared by everyone, which is the opportunity to draw neighborhoods and generations together as they listen to lives. The Orange County Commission on Aging is helping to promote the contest.

Spalding University’s top 10, low residency MFA in Writing program is selective, and it shows. Alumni have landed prestigious publications, movie releases, and top awards in all areas. They also teach at major universities. Offering fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, writing for children & young adults, screenwriting, and playwriting. Spring and Summer application deadline: Feb 1. Email: mfa@spalding.edu. See:http://spalding.edu/mfa