Teenage author Owen Weber on the process of writing and publishing a short story

WALDOBORO — Generation Z, the generation born into a world with vast technological advancements, are one of the most tech-savvy populations in the United States and Owen Weber, a junior at Medomak Valley HS, had all the publishing tools at his disposal when he first crafted a story that would eventually become a short story.

However, the real mark of a writer is not just to use Internet tools; it comes down to imagination, dedication and willingness to go through the process.

Last summer, 16-year-old Weber had a character reveal at 2 a.m. and typed in some ideas on the Notes app on his phone.

He started to work out the structure on a computer. “I started working on it last summer and contacted my English teacher Ms. Ennamorati from last year and she started helping me review it with conflict and more depth in it. the plot, ”he said. “If I was sitting and thought about it, nothing would come to me, but when I least expected it, doing chores, good ideas would come to me. A lot of it was about dealing with new ideas as they came in and trying to implement them. “

With Ms. Ennamorati’s help with editing, he self-published it on Amazon last April. Self-publishing requires a completely different skill set, he said, he discovered it on his own.

The title of the short story is “Kaets’ New Civilization” and the first chapter focuses on a distant narrator, who describes civilization in the way Rod Serling opened each fuzzy area episode, foreshadowing the speculative story that was about to unfold. The first part of the short story is fantastic, and the rest focuses on fiction based on a sixth-grader, Johnny, who struggles with academics and his mother’s perception of him. Without giving any spoilers, the fantasy mingles with Johnny’s tale.

In Weber’s own words: “In short, it’s both a story of teamwork / laziness, and realizing that intelligence is not strictly defined by your academic ability. His worth is not determined by his school performance and in the end, his mother sees that he has so many other talents.

Weber, whose legal first name is John Own, clarifies that this is not an autobiographical short story. “I just found Johnny because I didn’t have to think of another name,” he joked.

That said, bringing up the conflict that was to occur within Johnny, Weber had to do some personal research to find the dialogue where Johnny’s mother repeatedly expresses her disappointment with him. “I hold myself to a very high standard and when I don’t do something right there is a certain disappointment,” he said. “I’m a perfectionist for sure. COVID-19 allowed me to take a step back and tell myself that it’s okay to fall behind this incredibly high bar that I’ve set for myself. I’m just trying not to let him take over.

The main theme of the news is that for a teenager there are more interests than school that society should hold in high regard. “There are more parts of intelligence than math, science and reading,” he said. “I see it in PE; the kids who may not be doing well in school are killing him there. Or children enjoying art.

Weber, while very creative in the arts, is also one of those few people with a propensity for math and science. “I’m looking at some colleges right now,” he said. “If I had to pick a school now it would be Brown University, math and statistics. “

Weber then works on a complete novel, tracing it through the old-fashioned notebook. “This one is about a protagonist, who is a bad person from birth; but in his journey, realizing that he is not as bad as he thought he was; he can be a good person,” said He said. “It plays with the theme that there is a little good in every bad and a little bad in every good.”

To learn more about Weber’s book, visit: Kaets’ New Civilization.

Hail To The Rad Kids is an ongoing feature showcasing midcoast teens with special talent or in the arts.

Kay Stephens can be reached at [email protected]