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In April, we had the exciting opportunity to participate in the annual ESSARP Online Creative Writing Competition, an event organized by St Brendan’s College for all ESSARP Schools across Argentina and Uruguay.

Students were selected by their teachers to join the competition except for the elementary category where we organized an internal Creative writing competition due to an overwhelming number of aspiring writers. Among the  35 enthusiastic participants, Teodelina and Clementina wrote the most creative pieces of writing and they represented the school in their category. It was so thrilling to dive into all the stories as we could witness the creativity of our students  put into practice.

But what truly is creative writing? In a school system  dominated by academic and nonfiction writing, which often emphasizes content and critical thinking, creative writing stands apart. It is about unleashing imagination and allowing students to express their feelings, thoughts, and ideas through the power of words.

Creative writing empowers students to: plan their work strategically, select diverse and enticing vocabulary that captivates their readers, paint vivid, detailed pictures that enable readers to visualize settings and characters while feeling the emotional depth of the narrative.

To our delight, Sofía, a talented  6th-year student, claimed the first prize in the Senior Category with a description so vivid that it captivated and held the attention of everyone who read it.

«My experience in the Creative Writing Competition» Sofía Colombres.

I can be very self-demanding when it comes to projects I’m passionate about, so I tend to struggle with writer’s block. I encountered this in last year’s competition, when my mind went completely blank—I think I was only able to write a single paragraph. I suppose this happens to me out of a fear of failure and the pressure of wanting my work to meet both my own expectations and those of others. I was very frustrated with myself after that, so this time, when I was asked to participate, I was determined to do better. I guess I wanted to prove myself to myself. This year, instead of wasting too much time searching for the perfect idea, I decided to just go with the first one that came to my mind.

When I wrote my piece, I had recently read a book about witches and was watching a TV show set in New York, where I had travelled to before, so I was definitely inspired by those experiences. Besides, I have always been drawn to magical realism; there’s something captivating about blending the ordinary with the extraordinary, it allows me to create atmospheres that feel both familiar and fantastical, and I really like the freedom it gives me to write anything I want. I had a lot of fun experimenting with how the city’s energy could interact with the magical elements I introduced.

As for my writing process, I like to just let my thoughts flow freely and write down my ideas asr they first pop up in my head, unfiltered and raw, and I then go back to polishing and refining them. The final product is obviously the result of multiple touch ups and revisions, and nothing like what it first looked like. This back-and-forth process allows me to explore different possibilities and ultimately create a piece that I’m proud of. Below you will find my entry for the competition. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did while writing it.

The Outsiders (description)

In the depths of bustling New York, where the clatter of footsteps mingles with the hum of traffic, beneath the glittering skyline and amidst smoke-filled jazz clubs, the ordinary and the extraordinary rub shoulders as witches walk among the gritty streets, their powers veiled from the unsuspecting eyes of society.

Walk down the crowded avenues of Manhattan, and you might pass by a seemingly ordinary brownstone, its facade weathered by time and neglect. But behind its faded exterior lies a sanctuary for the occult, where candles flicker in the dim light and the air is heavy with the scent of herbs and incense. Within these walls, witches gather to share their wisdom, casting spells and divining the future amidst the chaos of urban life.

But it’s not just hidden gatherings and secret rituals that define the witching community of New York. In fact, they can be found in every corner of the city, their presence woven into the very fabric of daily life. Some work as artists, infusing their creations with the power of their craft, others as healers, offering remedies that defy conventional medicine. In the labyrinth of Brooklyn’s picturesque streets, you might stumble upon a quaint café, where the aroma of freshly brewed potions fills the air, courtesy of a coven of baristas whose expertise extends beyond the espresso machine. Their concoctions aren’t plain beverages, but elixirs brewed with intention. Wander further, and you’ll encounter a boutique in Greenwich Village, adorned with intricate tapestries and shelves lined with enchanted artifacts. Here, witches double as artisans, channeling their energy into handmade jewelry and spell-infused trinkets.

As twilight descends over the city, the witches of New York emerge from the shadows, their presence felt in every flicker of neon and every gust of wind that whispers through the streets. They are the guardians of hidden alleyways, the keepers of forgotten lore, and as the city’s heartbeat quickens with the setting sun, their magic pulses in tandem, an unseen force shaping the very essence of the city. In the glow of streetlamps and the glimmer of storefront windows, they walk among us. For in this city of dreams, where anything seems possible, magic is not just a fantasy, and as long as there are witches to keep its flame alive, the mystical heart of New York will continue to beat with undying fervor.