Hello everyone. Here is my usual reminder about the next AYW session which will be held this Sunday 3 - 4 as usual. I know some of the boys are on a Cub Scout event but it would be nice to see as many other Young Writers there as possible.
Looking forfard to seeing you all.
Friday, 10 May 2013
Sunday, 28 April 2013
Session 19 - Feedback
Hello everyone. Wow! What a thumper of a session we had at PMT today! I was over the moon to see so many Young Writers there - fifteen in all - including our newest member Isabelle. There was a real buzz in the air and the children worked their socks off!
Today's topic was creating Characters. I used H C Andersen's Thumbelina and my own Yucketypoo characters to help the Young Writers get to grips with the subject. I gave out some new Session worksheets which featured the following character names - Mr Quackers, Miss Clever, Billy Band and Debby Donut. I suggested they think carefully about what - and who - these characters might be, including in appearance, habits, any family or pets, whether they were animal, vegetable or mineral - or indeed human. In fact I gave the children completely free reign and then suggested they pass them to the person next to them to look at. Finally I told them to keep the Session sheets today so they could take them home and, for the assignment, write a story featuring at least one of the characters plus a character of their own imagination.
In looking through the records, I am so pleased to see that, almost one year to the day since our first meeting (2 May 2012), we have covered the following subjects and topics - Story Ideas, Working With And Developing Those Ideas, Poems That Don't Rhyme, Book Reviews, Letter Writing, Holiday Diaries, Stories - length, the three key rules (beginning, middle and end) and subject matter, Self Awareness, Using Our Imaginations To Invent Recipes and Monsters, Character Identification, Limericks, Description, Fairy Tales, Stories For Boys/ Stories For Girls and Character Creation. That is an amazing amount of info for these youngsters to absorb but absorb it they have - in abundance. And I am so so SO proud of them. Plus they have seen their work published, had some Local Paper Coverage - and even got a back-stage theatre tour out of it. And virtually all of them have worked their way right through the Certificate Trail so a huge well done to each and every one of them.
Over the next few months - as long as the Sunday Sessions prove successful - I am hoping to cover some - if not all - of the following: Nature Poetry, Haiku, Dialogue, Sports Writing, Titles, Historic Fiction, Food Reviews, Plays, Story Poems and Science Fiction - so we have a bumper summer coming up. I am also hoping to firm up at least one guest speaker, I just need to confirm some dates.
Finally - I was thrilled to be able to present two out of the three Prize-winner Certificates for the Mother's Day Poetry competition, and a whole bunch of Runner Up Certificates as well. Actual prizes will be awarded over the next couple of sessions. I will also be awarding the next bunch of Achievement Certitifcates the RED BAND ONE certificates, to those youngsters who have completed the last four assignments - so I have my work cut out for me.
Thanks are due to those of you today who asked how my new job is going, I really appreciate your support.
And thanks are due to EVERY one for helping to make the Addiscombe Young Writers' first year such a massive, MASSIVE success.
Good writing everyone - and here's to the next year.
Today's topic was creating Characters. I used H C Andersen's Thumbelina and my own Yucketypoo characters to help the Young Writers get to grips with the subject. I gave out some new Session worksheets which featured the following character names - Mr Quackers, Miss Clever, Billy Band and Debby Donut. I suggested they think carefully about what - and who - these characters might be, including in appearance, habits, any family or pets, whether they were animal, vegetable or mineral - or indeed human. In fact I gave the children completely free reign and then suggested they pass them to the person next to them to look at. Finally I told them to keep the Session sheets today so they could take them home and, for the assignment, write a story featuring at least one of the characters plus a character of their own imagination.
In looking through the records, I am so pleased to see that, almost one year to the day since our first meeting (2 May 2012), we have covered the following subjects and topics - Story Ideas, Working With And Developing Those Ideas, Poems That Don't Rhyme, Book Reviews, Letter Writing, Holiday Diaries, Stories - length, the three key rules (beginning, middle and end) and subject matter, Self Awareness, Using Our Imaginations To Invent Recipes and Monsters, Character Identification, Limericks, Description, Fairy Tales, Stories For Boys/ Stories For Girls and Character Creation. That is an amazing amount of info for these youngsters to absorb but absorb it they have - in abundance. And I am so so SO proud of them. Plus they have seen their work published, had some Local Paper Coverage - and even got a back-stage theatre tour out of it. And virtually all of them have worked their way right through the Certificate Trail so a huge well done to each and every one of them.
Over the next few months - as long as the Sunday Sessions prove successful - I am hoping to cover some - if not all - of the following: Nature Poetry, Haiku, Dialogue, Sports Writing, Titles, Historic Fiction, Food Reviews, Plays, Story Poems and Science Fiction - so we have a bumper summer coming up. I am also hoping to firm up at least one guest speaker, I just need to confirm some dates.
Finally - I was thrilled to be able to present two out of the three Prize-winner Certificates for the Mother's Day Poetry competition, and a whole bunch of Runner Up Certificates as well. Actual prizes will be awarded over the next couple of sessions. I will also be awarding the next bunch of Achievement Certitifcates the RED BAND ONE certificates, to those youngsters who have completed the last four assignments - so I have my work cut out for me.
Thanks are due to those of you today who asked how my new job is going, I really appreciate your support.
And thanks are due to EVERY one for helping to make the Addiscombe Young Writers' first year such a massive, MASSIVE success.
Good writing everyone - and here's to the next year.
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
Gentle Reminder
Don't forget we have our next session this Sunday between 3 and 4 at PMT. Can't wait to see you all - and see how the animal stories have gone. I do have the certificates for all those able to enter the Mother's Day competition - I just need to finalise production of the Cream Tea Voucher with Amanda; everything else is pretty much ready.
Will away now so this is only a short-short.
See you Sunday xx
Will away now so this is only a short-short.
See you Sunday xx
Thursday, 18 April 2013
Session 18 - Feedback
Well - we had our first trial Sunday session last weekend and I was relieved that it was so well attended with eleven Young Writers in attendance, out of an average of twenty, so that wan't bad at all. And big thank yous to all those who were able to come along. As I said before, I know it isn't ideal for everyone but it is all I can do for the time being so we will have to keep an eye on it and see how it goes - and I appreciate your efforts, I really do.
The session itself went very well. I wanted to try something a little different so I split them into two groups - girls and boys - then asked the boys to write a story for girls and vice versa. This really tested them and several of them found it quite hard to get going - but at least they all eventually gave it a go. I will be looking at their Session Sheets over the next few days and see how they fared. The important thing is that they tried. As I have said before, sometimes, as writers, we are dropped outside our comfort zones so it is always an idea to experiment with different themes and genres. They worked so hard that I felt obliged to set a relatively simple Assignment which was to write an animal story so if your youngsters couldn't make it, but they want to have a go at that, it is fine. If it could be brought in by the next session - which should be on 28th April, that would be fab.
I announced the Mother's Day Poetry Competition Winners on Sunday and they are as follows:
3rd Place goes to Caitlin for her poem "The Things My Mum Does Best". 2nd Place goes to Hannah for her poem "Mother" and 1st Place goes to Alessandro for his entry "A Lovely Place". So well done you three. I explained to all the children that everyone else is a Runner Up and everyone who entered will receive a Certificate of Achievement. I will do my dead level best to get these ready for the next session but if I don't for some reason then they will definitely be ready for the one after that - date to be confirmed.
Think that is it for now but don't forget to come back to me with any comments or queries as all feedback is very welcome. Good Writing everyone!
The session itself went very well. I wanted to try something a little different so I split them into two groups - girls and boys - then asked the boys to write a story for girls and vice versa. This really tested them and several of them found it quite hard to get going - but at least they all eventually gave it a go. I will be looking at their Session Sheets over the next few days and see how they fared. The important thing is that they tried. As I have said before, sometimes, as writers, we are dropped outside our comfort zones so it is always an idea to experiment with different themes and genres. They worked so hard that I felt obliged to set a relatively simple Assignment which was to write an animal story so if your youngsters couldn't make it, but they want to have a go at that, it is fine. If it could be brought in by the next session - which should be on 28th April, that would be fab.
I announced the Mother's Day Poetry Competition Winners on Sunday and they are as follows:
3rd Place goes to Caitlin for her poem "The Things My Mum Does Best". 2nd Place goes to Hannah for her poem "Mother" and 1st Place goes to Alessandro for his entry "A Lovely Place". So well done you three. I explained to all the children that everyone else is a Runner Up and everyone who entered will receive a Certificate of Achievement. I will do my dead level best to get these ready for the next session but if I don't for some reason then they will definitely be ready for the one after that - date to be confirmed.
Think that is it for now but don't forget to come back to me with any comments or queries as all feedback is very welcome. Good Writing everyone!
Thursday, 11 April 2013
Sunday Session ...
Hello again everyone. Just a little reminder that we have our first Sunday session this Sunday at 3pm at Amanda's. As I said before, I can appreciate that not everyone will be able to come along to every session held on a Sunday, but if the Young Writers can manage to get to at least one in two each month, at least they can still be involved - and I am trying to firm up at least one surprise guest, so if nothing else, keep an eye on the Blog.
I have almost finished judging the poetry competition. It has been much harder than I expected because all the entries are astonishing in their honesty and the overall standard has been incredibly high. I will announce the winners on Sunday but the presentation of prizes will have to wait until at least the next session. The prizes are as follows: 1st Prize - a free Cream Tea for the winner and his/her family at PMT (two adults and however many siblings), plus a whole batch of my published work, signed personally to the winner and, of course, the all important Gold Standard Certificate. And I would, at this point, like to thank Amanda for providing said Cream Tea, which will be presented as a Voucher. 2nd Prize - Signed copies of the two Yucketypoo books plus the Silver Standard Certificate and finally, 3rd Prize - Signed copy of the first Yucketypoo book, plus the Bronze Standard Certificate. All other entrants will also receive a Certificate for taking part. I will also speak to Amanda about all entries being exhibited at PMT at some point for everyone to see. Big thank you to everyone who took part. All will be revealed on Sunday.
Okay - better go - lots to do before Sunday! Good writing everyone.
I have almost finished judging the poetry competition. It has been much harder than I expected because all the entries are astonishing in their honesty and the overall standard has been incredibly high. I will announce the winners on Sunday but the presentation of prizes will have to wait until at least the next session. The prizes are as follows: 1st Prize - a free Cream Tea for the winner and his/her family at PMT (two adults and however many siblings), plus a whole batch of my published work, signed personally to the winner and, of course, the all important Gold Standard Certificate. And I would, at this point, like to thank Amanda for providing said Cream Tea, which will be presented as a Voucher. 2nd Prize - Signed copies of the two Yucketypoo books plus the Silver Standard Certificate and finally, 3rd Prize - Signed copy of the first Yucketypoo book, plus the Bronze Standard Certificate. All other entrants will also receive a Certificate for taking part. I will also speak to Amanda about all entries being exhibited at PMT at some point for everyone to see. Big thank you to everyone who took part. All will be revealed on Sunday.
Okay - better go - lots to do before Sunday! Good writing everyone.
Saturday, 30 March 2013
Grimm - It Was Not ...
Hello everyone. Well, here I am back from our few days break in North Devon. Okay - I admit it was very cold - but we had such a great time and the sun did actually shine a few times, so I think we were lucky!
Wanted to get straight onto the blog to thank everyone for helping to make the Polka trip such a huge success! My greatest reward was hearing some of the Young Writers begging Snow White not to bite the poisoned apple. I mean just how involved were they? I am so delighted they managed to become so much a part of the stories performed - and for understanding the symbolisms used, such as the hands making wingbeats against the actors' chests to depict the birds.
I think the back stage tours were a great success as well and, now that I know it works, I will see if we can incorporate other trips during the year, so watch this space.
Finally - big thanks to all you mums and dads for being so supportive (especially the group hug at the very end, thank you Matthew!). I couldn't have done this without you.
Have a great Easter everyone. See you on 14th.
Good writing.
Jilly xx
Wanted to get straight onto the blog to thank everyone for helping to make the Polka trip such a huge success! My greatest reward was hearing some of the Young Writers begging Snow White not to bite the poisoned apple. I mean just how involved were they? I am so delighted they managed to become so much a part of the stories performed - and for understanding the symbolisms used, such as the hands making wingbeats against the actors' chests to depict the birds.
I think the back stage tours were a great success as well and, now that I know it works, I will see if we can incorporate other trips during the year, so watch this space.
Finally - big thanks to all you mums and dads for being so supportive (especially the group hug at the very end, thank you Matthew!). I couldn't have done this without you.
Have a great Easter everyone. See you on 14th.
Good writing.
Jilly xx
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Session 17 - Feedback
Thank you to all those who managed to get to today's session at PMT. Although there was not as many Young Writers present as last time, the enthusiasm was just as strong. In preparation for Saturday's Polka trip, I read a shortened version of Grimm's "Hansel and Gretel" and asked the Young Writers to write an alternative ending. I also had them guessing other Grimm titles and I was surprised at how many they knew. I haven't read through the session sheets yet but I will do before our first trial Sunday session on April 14th. The assignment set was for the children to write a brand new fairy story or folklore tale and I challenged them to really use their imaginations - and to remember all about description - so it will be interesting to see the results.
Final reminder about the Polka trip. Amanda has said she will be around from 8.30 on Saturday morning so if you'd like to treat the kids to breakfast out, she is more than happy to accommodate. If you don't make it to breakfast, then please make sure you are at PMT no later than 9.15 as we will be leaving at 9.30 on the dot. That will give us a full hour to get there and an hour and a half before curtain up, so we should be there in plenty of time. Please have your ticket money handy (£2.00 each) when we reach the theatre as they have to paid for at the box office when we arrive. I spoke with Fran earlier today at the Polka about the proposed back stage tours and she has asked me to nominate one other adult to help supervise the tours (as there isn't much room by all accounts), which we will do in two hits so, on this occasion, I will ask Lisa (Oliver's mum). No offense intended to anyone else, but I could only choose one and Lisa's was the first name to come to mind and I hope that is ok. Obviously those of you left behind can explore the cafe area and - hopefully - the teddy exhibition, and keep an eye on the rest of the children whilst the tours take place. I estimate we should be back at PMT by around 2pm - give or take - which I hope is ok for everyone.
Here is a list of all those I am expecting - and please note that we have only got 23 tickets so we won't be able to cater for anyone else. Please remember though that I am going to try and organise other trips so everyone should get their chance in due course.
Tomaso and Renata
Grace and Penny
Oliver and Lisa
Annika and Roberta
Danny, Cuan and Yvonne
Clint, Phoebe and Miriam
Hannah and Claire
Alessandro, Guilia and Katia
Luke and Lucy
Steve and I
Thank you to everyone who paid their contribution costs today. I don't think there's more than a couple left outstanding so I will have a quick count-up over the weekend just to make sure.
Should have the Mother's Day Poetry competition results by 14th April as well.
Can't think of anything else offhand but if I do, I will add a little PS later. All the best and Good Writing!
Final reminder about the Polka trip. Amanda has said she will be around from 8.30 on Saturday morning so if you'd like to treat the kids to breakfast out, she is more than happy to accommodate. If you don't make it to breakfast, then please make sure you are at PMT no later than 9.15 as we will be leaving at 9.30 on the dot. That will give us a full hour to get there and an hour and a half before curtain up, so we should be there in plenty of time. Please have your ticket money handy (£2.00 each) when we reach the theatre as they have to paid for at the box office when we arrive. I spoke with Fran earlier today at the Polka about the proposed back stage tours and she has asked me to nominate one other adult to help supervise the tours (as there isn't much room by all accounts), which we will do in two hits so, on this occasion, I will ask Lisa (Oliver's mum). No offense intended to anyone else, but I could only choose one and Lisa's was the first name to come to mind and I hope that is ok. Obviously those of you left behind can explore the cafe area and - hopefully - the teddy exhibition, and keep an eye on the rest of the children whilst the tours take place. I estimate we should be back at PMT by around 2pm - give or take - which I hope is ok for everyone.
Here is a list of all those I am expecting - and please note that we have only got 23 tickets so we won't be able to cater for anyone else. Please remember though that I am going to try and organise other trips so everyone should get their chance in due course.
Tomaso and Renata
Grace and Penny
Oliver and Lisa
Annika and Roberta
Danny, Cuan and Yvonne
Clint, Phoebe and Miriam
Hannah and Claire
Alessandro, Guilia and Katia
Luke and Lucy
Steve and I
Thank you to everyone who paid their contribution costs today. I don't think there's more than a couple left outstanding so I will have a quick count-up over the weekend just to make sure.
Should have the Mother's Day Poetry competition results by 14th April as well.
Can't think of anything else offhand but if I do, I will add a little PS later. All the best and Good Writing!
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