Brilliant session today. It was great to see our newbies again because it showed me that they actually got something out of Session 8 - and that is what it's all about!
Today most of the young writers handed in their profiles and most of the consent forms have come back as well so thank you to everyone. The theme today - in preparation for our Halloween session - was to create a magic spell and write it down. Some of those I saw were hilarious - with a marked interest in 'bottoms' and 'poos' I noted - and the youngsters themselves seemed to really let their imaginations run wild. The assignment set was to then take their magic spell and either re-draft it or incorporate it into a short story. And in keeping with the Halloween theme, I thought it would add a bit of fun if the children could also wear witch or wizard hats to Session 10 - which will be on Halloween day, 31st October, 4 till 5 as usual.
31st October is also the very last date that I can accept their contributions for the booklet so I asked the young writers to make sure they bring any intended work in on that day. After that date, further assignments will continue to count towards their next certificate so there will be no reason for them to stop writing. The booklet is only a part of the scheme. The real deal is to develop their interest in writing. Even if none of them actually grow up to be writers, I like to think that these sessions will at least contribute to their future and continue to build their confidence.
Finally, please let me reassure you all that any spelling or grammar issues that appear in the young writers' assignments is not a problem and will not have a detrimental effect on their chances of appearing in the booklet. I am happy to spell words out if the children ask - but I don't want to risk stepping on the toes of their school teachers. I will correct any errors when I collate the book for the printer; my main aim now, as it has always been, is just to encourage their creative output and try to keep that momentum going. I hope that sets your minds at ease.
Thanks again for all your support and - as ever - if you have any questions or comments, don't hesitate to get in touch. My email address is jphlong@live.co.uk and my mobile number is 07909 518147.
Good writing, everyone.
Wednesday 10 October 2012
Tuesday 2 October 2012
Session 8 - Update
Sorry it has taken me almost a week to get to the Young Writers' blog; there always seems to be so much to do and I hardly ever get to the laptop these days. I don't even have to check my emails there anymore because I can do that through my mobile phone so the laptop is lucky to see the light of day more than once a week! Anyway, I am here now so a big hello to you all.
We had a great Session 8 last week. Five new members! This is terrific news but I hope the Coffee Shop can take it without bursting a seam! I felt terribly guilty that most of you were squeezed in the window area whilst your talented offspring took over virtually all the table space! What really thrilled me about our new members is that they came from slightly further afield which means the word is on the streets about us and it can only get better from here. I would not be lying if I told you that at the beginning of this scheme, I could not possibly have had any idea that Addiscombe Young Writers would still be flourishing five months down the line - even with the long summer break in the middle! Yet it is and that is largely thanks to your continued support and Amanda's endless patience whenever a Writing session comes along. Not to mention the bubbling enthusiasm of your children, which, if anything, seems to have doubled since the new school year began, so huge
H U G E thanks to everyone.
During the session last week, we talked quite a bit about the book and exhibition. I asked the Young Writers to practise writing a profile since I would like to include one for every child to accompany their work in the book itself - not to mention during the exhibition. The assignment set was then to write an actual profile and bring it back in time for the next session - which is next Wednesday, 10th October. Session 10 is likely to fall on 31st October so a Hallowe'en theme to the writing that week will be a must.
As far as the creation of the book is concerned, I have had a couple of quotes (and should get another one shortly) for printing and binding and I think that, realistically, to get it all done in time for a snazzy Christmas launch, I shall also have to make 31st October the last date for submissions. That gives the Young Writers just about four weeks to come up with any further offerings, the plan then being to collate it and then get it off to the printers with a view to having the books ready and in supply by the end of November - which - coincidently - is when we are most likely to be looking at holding the exhibition. Hopefully, with Amanda's help, we can have a proper book launch at the Coffee Shop one evening in early December. This is all terribly exciting, don't you think? Of course once Christmas is out of the way, the whole Addiscombe Young Writers thing will have to be reviewed since I have already taken the liberty of stretching the six month trial to seven months, so we'll just have to see how it all pans out.
Finally, mums and dads, please remember to sign and return your consent forms, indicating also how you would like your child's work to be identified in the book and at the exhibition. If you don't have a consent form just let me know next week. I will make sure I bring an extra supply of them in to the session.
See you all next week and until then - good writing everyone.
We had a great Session 8 last week. Five new members! This is terrific news but I hope the Coffee Shop can take it without bursting a seam! I felt terribly guilty that most of you were squeezed in the window area whilst your talented offspring took over virtually all the table space! What really thrilled me about our new members is that they came from slightly further afield which means the word is on the streets about us and it can only get better from here. I would not be lying if I told you that at the beginning of this scheme, I could not possibly have had any idea that Addiscombe Young Writers would still be flourishing five months down the line - even with the long summer break in the middle! Yet it is and that is largely thanks to your continued support and Amanda's endless patience whenever a Writing session comes along. Not to mention the bubbling enthusiasm of your children, which, if anything, seems to have doubled since the new school year began, so huge
H U G E thanks to everyone.
During the session last week, we talked quite a bit about the book and exhibition. I asked the Young Writers to practise writing a profile since I would like to include one for every child to accompany their work in the book itself - not to mention during the exhibition. The assignment set was then to write an actual profile and bring it back in time for the next session - which is next Wednesday, 10th October. Session 10 is likely to fall on 31st October so a Hallowe'en theme to the writing that week will be a must.
As far as the creation of the book is concerned, I have had a couple of quotes (and should get another one shortly) for printing and binding and I think that, realistically, to get it all done in time for a snazzy Christmas launch, I shall also have to make 31st October the last date for submissions. That gives the Young Writers just about four weeks to come up with any further offerings, the plan then being to collate it and then get it off to the printers with a view to having the books ready and in supply by the end of November - which - coincidently - is when we are most likely to be looking at holding the exhibition. Hopefully, with Amanda's help, we can have a proper book launch at the Coffee Shop one evening in early December. This is all terribly exciting, don't you think? Of course once Christmas is out of the way, the whole Addiscombe Young Writers thing will have to be reviewed since I have already taken the liberty of stretching the six month trial to seven months, so we'll just have to see how it all pans out.
Finally, mums and dads, please remember to sign and return your consent forms, indicating also how you would like your child's work to be identified in the book and at the exhibition. If you don't have a consent form just let me know next week. I will make sure I bring an extra supply of them in to the session.
See you all next week and until then - good writing everyone.
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