&uot;Young writers&uot; read their own tales of intrigue and mystery Friday during the final day of a writing camp at Central Alternative School.

Each student wrote a mystery story called a &uot;Who Dun It&uot; and explored other types of writing during the Young Writer’s Camp sponsored by a project outreach grant through the Alcorn Writing Project.

&uot;One of the things we were really trying to impress on them is writing is fun and we were really trying to have fun this week,&uot; said Berthenia Rose Jackson, teaching consultant for the Alcorn Writing Project.

Thirteen students participated in the week-long camp – the first of its kind for Natchez.

&uot;But it was so successful so we’re hoping it won’t be the last,&uot; Jackson said.

The students wrote stories such as autobiographical poems, haikus and journal entries and studied the writing process from brainstorming to publishing.

The students also watched a program on the dangers of drugs, sex and tobacco and wrote about what they learned in their journals.

LaDonna Green, 13, was glad she was exposed to that information.

&uot;It was a good experience for me,&uot; she said.

And Jackson said that particular activity was just an added bonus to the writing camp.

&uot;From listening to their journals this morning they got the message,&uot; she said.

Kiara Allen, 11 said she like writing &uot;because it can help you do things&uot; such as do well in college.

Brittany Woods, 12, said she liked interacting with the other young people at the camp and &uot;that we get to work in groups and other students get to help you with your writing if you needed it.&uot;