Before you apply to get into the Junior Writers Programme, be inspired by these stories:

Alice applied to get into JWP and got in on her first try. There are many like Alice who write very well and get in on the first attempt.

Brian applied twice before he got in.

Chee Fung’s mama asked Ms Rozario if he was ready for JWP. She said, “No. Let me train him and make him ready. He can join my weekly class for a year and then we’ll see if he is ready.” He joined Ms Rozario’s weekly class for a year, then applied for JWP and got in.

Divya liked writing and joined Ms Rozario’s one-day writing workshop. Ms Rozario spotted her potential and asked her to apply for JWP. She applied and got in.

Emma liked writing and reading. She applied for Junior Writers and failed. Ms Rozario asked her Ibu to let her train Emma in the weekly class. Emma joined the weekly class. After a year, she applied for JWP. She failed. Ms Rozario advised Emma not to give up hope. “Let me train you one more year.” Emma got into JWP on her 3rd try / year. Her story for the book, with layers and backstory, was one of the best that year.

Farid liked writing and reading. He applied for Junior Writers and failed. He joined Ms Rozario’s weekly class. After one year, he wanted to try again for JWP. Ms Rozario said, “No, you’re not ready. Wait a year.” He remained in the weekly class and honed his skills. He tried again. He got in.

Guna applied to Junior Writers and failed. He was told he almost got in. In January (after the JWP classes had started), Ms Rozario informed that there was a seat and offered it to Guna. One of the people who got into the programme had to drop out because he had won an Asean Scholarship and was leaving for Singapore.

Harold joined Ms Rozario’s weekly class but stopped after six months. He didn’t have time and wanted to focus on his swimming. Two years later, he joined Ms Rozario’s Merdeka Writing Competition. The first prize was RM400 book vouchers and a seat in the next year’s JWP. Harold won first prize.

Intan joined Ms Rozario’s workshops (2 half days) for three years. She loved writing. Then she joined the weekly class for two years. Then she entered the Merdeka Writing Competition and won first prize. Part of the prize was a seat in the next year’s JWP.

Jeya liked writing and reading. She joined Ms Rozario’s workshop (2 half days). She liked it and joined again in 2 years. Two years after that she applied for JWP and got in.

We hope you are inspired by these real stories (names have been changed, of course). Some people try for years before they get into JWP. Don’t give up hope. Let Ms Rozario know your intentions so that she can advise accordingly.