It is never too early for the writing bug to bite you.
WELTEVREDEN PARK— 12 year old Dylan Els is writing his way to the top with local and international recognition.
Dylan Els (12) is a media mogul in the making, after receiving recognition from the national reading campaign Nal’ibali for his writing.
The Grade 6 Agape Christian Private School in Weltevreden Park writes about [youth journalism, news and reviews on his blog dylanelsjourno.wordpress.com and has written movie reviews for local newspapers,.
“I love my blog, I love writing and I am always looking for a story. I want to own a publishing company in the future,” the young writer said.
With an evident nose for storytelling and journalism, Els started writing when he was 10 years old and started his blog shortly afterwards, which has gained impressive hits locally and internationally.
When he is not penning down ideas and stories, Els is a force to be reckoned with in the classroom with a straight-A average, and says he loves mathematics – arguably a first for any journalist.
He has been involved in the Eisteddfod since Grade 1, is an avid animal lover and firmly against animal abuse.
“I am an animal freak. I don’t actually eat red meat, I want to become a vegetarian and an animal rights activist. I only eat chicken.”
His proud parents Alex and Lynn Nietz support the young writer on their hands and are incredibly proud of his achievements.
“He is very focused, he is not the kind of child that gives into peer pressure. He knows what he wants and once he has his mind set on something, that’s it.” said Dylan’s mom, Lynn.
“I have also done some freelance work for Popular Mechanics and they had no idea that I was 10 or 11 at the time. I have always had plans to start a website and put up my own work and that is when I discovered Wordpress. I figured that I can actually start my own blog and I don’t have to write for someone or a publication at that time. With my blog I can write wherever I am and whenever,” added the enthusiastic pupil.
Els, who’s role model is EWN senior crime reporter Barry Bateman, said he hopes his blog becomes internationall- renowned and aspires to be a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves.
“I am busy with an interview with Michael Skolnik, political director to hip-hop mogul Russel Simmons, and hopefully I will have that up on the blog very soon.”
It is never too early for the writing bug to bite and in this case, dynamite in the writing industry comes packing a punch full of passion and dedication.
