WELCOME BACK ...

Huge thanks to everyone who turned up to the first AYW session of 2016!  It was great to see you all there and eight on a first day back after a break, is brilliant! 

We got off to a flying start - albeit in the junior library.  I asked the Young Writers to just write a little piece about their Christmas break to get the creative juices flowing - and then we tackled the completely new poetry form (for most of them anyway) of Tanka.  Like Haiku, Tanka is a syllable-led poetry form consisting of 31 syllables, usually laid out in 5 - 7 - 5 - 7 - 7 formation - although its beauty lies in the fact that unlike haiku, the actual pattern is pretty flexible as long as the number of syllables used is 31 - so you could even have a pattern of 1, 5, 5, 10, 10 or whatever you like.

Once the Young Writers got to grips with this, they were churning out Tanka like there was no tomorrow so well done to all of them for giving it a go!  The assignment was to produce a Tanka at home and, of course, any that are completed and returned will count towards the next Certificate.

Have decided to always log on this blog who takes Maddie the AYW bear home with them - especially following her period of  being AWOL just before Christmas.  So on this occasion it was Timothy who was given the pleasure of Maddie's company and her diary to record any adventures (and she seems to have plenty!).  So Timothy I hope she behaves herself for you and that you have some fun times between now and the next session.  Don't forget to update Maddie's diary!  It is always fun to read after one of her little jaunts.

And talking of the next session - that will be on Saturday 30th January so I look forward to seeing you then.  Good Writing, everyone.

PENCILS POISED ...

This is GREAT!!!  We are only in the second week of January and I have already had an enquiry about Addiscombe Young Writers!  I am so chuffed!

So how is everyone?  I hope all the Young Writers are ready for another busy year of writing.  Don't forget the next session is this Saturday (16th) - usual place and time.  My plan is to have the new issue of AYW - ok ready.  That is the plan anyway.  And also to have some new and fresh ideas to see us through the coming sessions.

How was your Christmas?  Mine was lovely but very busy busy busy.  And it didn't stop on 1st January either.  Only yesterday I was in Southend with husband Steve to celebrate youngest grandson Oscar's first birthday!  Have quite a lot coming up for 2016 with one thing and another - writing-wise, job-wise and family-wise - including a Christening in February and a wedding in April!  Sometimes I don't know how I cope!  But I always do.

I am planning to concentrate my own writing activities to poetry this year.  I rather neglected it last year once My Writer was launched.  I am going to be stocking up on copies of my book again soon so please keep me in mind for Spring Fairs or Fetes at your child's school!

That is about it for now - must start on the new newsletter.

See you Saturday!