Hi everyone. Just a quick reminder that we have another session this Saturday (20th Sept) between 9.30 & 10.30 and also one the following week (27th Sept) which will be the very last day that work can be handed in for the exhibition that starts a couple of weeks after on October 10th. If your budding authors have any assignment sheets they would like to hand in, that would be great. What I will probably do on 27th is keep their notebooks so that I can go through them and pick out some work for display.
Comment Slips
If you have been kind enough to pen your thoughts about the group on the comment slips I handed out the other week, that would truly help, as well. I have found some comments on the internet from the parents of previous members so I will also try to include those.
Trigger Objects
I know it is short notice but if your child can bring a small object - something that they particularly like or have an interest in - with them this Saturday, we can set them up on the tables and trigger some descriptive or imaginitive writing with items that are familiar, thus adding a truly personal touch.
Any other ideas, please get back to me ASAP or call me on my mobile.
See you Saturday then - and Good Writing!
Thursday, 18 September 2014
Tuesday, 9 September 2014
Good To Be Back...
I know we only missed a couple of sessions between July & September but I really felt it! It was brilliant to be back on Saturday and to see some of the holiday diaries! Well done to everyone who stood up to the challenge.
I explained to the members present about the exhibition and that I want them to write whatever they most enjoy just till the end of September. We had some great poems to kick off with - keep those handy, Young Writers! And with the exhibition in mind, I did not set an assignment this week. I just told the youngsters to go home and write anything they like - book reviews, reports, stories, poems, letters. Even plays as I saw Abbie getting really stuck into one during the session. Play writing is something I have not covered before - primarily because of the age diversity of the group. I am none too sure the six-year olds would really grasp it. But certainly anyone who wants to give it a go, please do so. It actually might help me to work out an actual play writing session!
I remembered to hand out the certificates - well done to everyone. I also remembered the comment slips and the Information sheet so hopefully you got them okay. As far as the comment slips are concerned, please do not feel obliged to take part. It just occurred to me that your opinions might tempt other potential members in. If you do submit one it doesn't need to be more than a few words long. Anyway I'd appreciate your feedback!
One of the members asked me on Saturday if she could draw some pictures to go with her poem. This idea was pounced on very enthusiastically by other members so I have offered to bring colouring pencils in future. I seriously cannot see any harm in that, despite the fact I personally have no artistic abilities at all. But a splash of colour would certainly add some body to the work on display, so we'll give it a go and see how it goes!
Well I think that's it for tonight. That's Number 1 of my Writing List Of Things To Do ticked off. Better get on with the next one now.
Keep writing! It's so magical!
I explained to the members present about the exhibition and that I want them to write whatever they most enjoy just till the end of September. We had some great poems to kick off with - keep those handy, Young Writers! And with the exhibition in mind, I did not set an assignment this week. I just told the youngsters to go home and write anything they like - book reviews, reports, stories, poems, letters. Even plays as I saw Abbie getting really stuck into one during the session. Play writing is something I have not covered before - primarily because of the age diversity of the group. I am none too sure the six-year olds would really grasp it. But certainly anyone who wants to give it a go, please do so. It actually might help me to work out an actual play writing session!
I remembered to hand out the certificates - well done to everyone. I also remembered the comment slips and the Information sheet so hopefully you got them okay. As far as the comment slips are concerned, please do not feel obliged to take part. It just occurred to me that your opinions might tempt other potential members in. If you do submit one it doesn't need to be more than a few words long. Anyway I'd appreciate your feedback!
One of the members asked me on Saturday if she could draw some pictures to go with her poem. This idea was pounced on very enthusiastically by other members so I have offered to bring colouring pencils in future. I seriously cannot see any harm in that, despite the fact I personally have no artistic abilities at all. But a splash of colour would certainly add some body to the work on display, so we'll give it a go and see how it goes!
Well I think that's it for tonight. That's Number 1 of my Writing List Of Things To Do ticked off. Better get on with the next one now.
Keep writing! It's so magical!
Tuesday, 2 September 2014
Back To AYW...
Hi everyone. Hope your summer has been brilliant. Quick reminder - we are back to regular sessions from this Saturday (6th) 9.30 - 10.30 as per usual. I will be handing out some letters etc, one of which will feature the dates of sessions planned right up to Christmas, These are:
6th September
20th September
27th September
11th October
25th October
8th November
22nd November
6th December
20th December
I will publish the new year session dates nearer the time.
I am pleased to announce that I have a new book being published, hopefully in November. More information on this a bit later, I just wanted to share my news. I also have some poems being published later in the year so as you can see, I have had quite a busy summer!
The next few sessions will be wholly for the Exhibition. I need all the nominated work by 27th September so I can get it all set up in time for the Exhibition. The library staff have suggested we take some photographs of the children writing to enhance the display. I know most of you have signed a form to this effect but if you have not yet returned it, please could you do so ASAP. The shots will mainly be group shots and I am hoping the library staff will take them so that they look random and natural. The children's names will not appear on the photographs.
Talking of the Exhibition, I will also be handing out comment slips over the next couple of sessions. please do not feel obliged to complete and return these, but it would certainly add credence to our ever expanding and greatly improved group and will hopefully attract more new members for the future.
I think we are coming into extremely exciting times here at AYW. I may call on some of you for assistance if things get too crazy - but we will see how it goes.
Looking forward to reading the Holiday Diaries!
See you Saturday!
6th September
20th September
27th September
11th October
25th October
8th November
22nd November
6th December
20th December
I will publish the new year session dates nearer the time.
I am pleased to announce that I have a new book being published, hopefully in November. More information on this a bit later, I just wanted to share my news. I also have some poems being published later in the year so as you can see, I have had quite a busy summer!
The next few sessions will be wholly for the Exhibition. I need all the nominated work by 27th September so I can get it all set up in time for the Exhibition. The library staff have suggested we take some photographs of the children writing to enhance the display. I know most of you have signed a form to this effect but if you have not yet returned it, please could you do so ASAP. The shots will mainly be group shots and I am hoping the library staff will take them so that they look random and natural. The children's names will not appear on the photographs.
Talking of the Exhibition, I will also be handing out comment slips over the next couple of sessions. please do not feel obliged to complete and return these, but it would certainly add credence to our ever expanding and greatly improved group and will hopefully attract more new members for the future.
I think we are coming into extremely exciting times here at AYW. I may call on some of you for assistance if things get too crazy - but we will see how it goes.
Looking forward to reading the Holiday Diaries!
See you Saturday!
Monday, 18 August 2014
Quick Hello
Dear Mums and Dads of Addiscombe Young Writers and the Young Writers themselves. Sorry I haven't posted for a couple of weeks. I just never seem to get a minute! Hope you are all well and enjoying the summer holidays. There were only a couple of youngsters at the token August session and one of them was a new member, so big hi to Zenani and thanks for coming along, I am so glad you enjoyed it along with Holly. And even though we were so few, the enthusiasm was still there in bucket-loads! Both girls got a lot of writing done.
Couple of things to let you know. Firstly, the Exhibition in October will run for a week from 10th. We will have a treble screen for our work so any that I have asked the Young Writers to hang onto, please could they bring them back when we resume normal sessions in September. We will not have a great deal of time in which to collate much. But I will certainly get as much up as possible. We have three sessions in September - on the 6th, 20th and 27th - this one is brought forward from 4th October as I have a wedding to go to that day so will not be around. The 27th September is absolutely the last date for submissions for the exhibition, but I will explain that all at the next session. Also, I will be handing out comment sheets to both the grown-ups and the children asking for quotes about the group I can display. I am also negotiating the possibility of selling copies of the book the first group published - Word Magic - with any money raised being shared with the library. This I will have to confirm with the library first. I will also be giving out sheets with the session dates on right up to Christmas this year.
So I think that is about it for now. I can always come back if I need to and post another update. See you all on the 6th then. Enjoy the rest of the summer! It'll be Christmas before we know it!
Couple of things to let you know. Firstly, the Exhibition in October will run for a week from 10th. We will have a treble screen for our work so any that I have asked the Young Writers to hang onto, please could they bring them back when we resume normal sessions in September. We will not have a great deal of time in which to collate much. But I will certainly get as much up as possible. We have three sessions in September - on the 6th, 20th and 27th - this one is brought forward from 4th October as I have a wedding to go to that day so will not be around. The 27th September is absolutely the last date for submissions for the exhibition, but I will explain that all at the next session. Also, I will be handing out comment sheets to both the grown-ups and the children asking for quotes about the group I can display. I am also negotiating the possibility of selling copies of the book the first group published - Word Magic - with any money raised being shared with the library. This I will have to confirm with the library first. I will also be giving out sheets with the session dates on right up to Christmas this year.
So I think that is about it for now. I can always come back if I need to and post another update. See you all on the 6th then. Enjoy the rest of the summer! It'll be Christmas before we know it!
Friday, 8 August 2014
Quick Reminder
To all those Young Writers who have not jetted off to sunnier climes, don't forget there will be a session at the library tomorrow morning (9th August) between 9.30 & 10.30. Don't forget to bring along your summer diaries - or any other writing you have done. Looking forward to seeing you.
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
Lazy Hazy Crazy Days ...
Wow - this summer has really been something so far hasn't it? Thunderstorms and all! I had really great weather when I was in Cornwall last week with husband Steve. We were incredibly lucky with our sea view window and everything! Hope your holidays are all just as successful.
Thought I would just pen a brief reminder that the August session is on Saturday 9th so anyone not away soaking up the sun will be more than welcome to come along for a scribble!
Hoping the summer diaries are going well!
See you soon.
Thought I would just pen a brief reminder that the August session is on Saturday 9th so anyone not away soaking up the sun will be more than welcome to come along for a scribble!
Hoping the summer diaries are going well!
See you soon.
Monday, 14 July 2014
Doing Brilliantly ...
We had the best session on Saturday last week. Three new members took our number up to eleven - the highest it has been for some time and I am over to moon! It was all a bit manic to start but it wasn't long before the enthusiasm was dancing through and around all of us like some amazing tarantella! Once we'd got the tables and seating sorted, the Young Writers just got on with it.
We were experimenting with "blind poetry" and acronyms (not anagrams as I initially said; thank you Mateus, for pointing that out to me. I think I was having a moment of word-dispraxia!). The "blind poem" (where we all write one line which is folded over before being passed to the next person), was not a huge success and I think this is because their ages are so diverse. Sophia told me bluntly "I don't get it!" so I explained it again and she said "I still don't get it!" So we went over it again and she gave it a go; coming up with a brilliant line. So I think she got it in the end. The acronyms were a much bigger success - as they were when I suggested them to the first group - and they were soon having fun playing with words, which is what it's all about after all!
Many thanks to Lucie - the librarian who came over and picked out the name for our mascot bear - it is Maddie - and everyone will get a certificate to mark their participation in this exercise. It was a great team effort.
Thanks as well to the grown-ups who have already completed their consent forms for October's Exhibition of Work. During the summer break I will ensure I see one of our contacts at the library to finalise the arrangements. I have already asked some of the members to keep specific bits of work safe for this and I will let you all know what is going on display nearer the time. If you haven't completed it yet, please try to have it ready for September.
As we go into yet another long summer holiday period, there will only be one session in August and that will be on Saturday 9th. I know most of the members will be on vacation so it will only be a token session. The summer assignment for all members is to keep a diary of what they do and where they go. It doesn't have to be a lot - just a sentence or two will suffice - it is really more to keep them writing. Having said that though, any that are handed in when the regular sessions resume in September will, of course, count towards their next certificate.
And talking of certificates, congratulations to Holly - who received her Blue membership certificate and to Fatima who was awarded her Red certificate. Several members are already well on their way to the Purple ones so keep up the good work everyone!
For those of you not away then, I will see you on the 9th. For the rest of you, September sessions resume on 6th September, which will be confirmed nearer the time.
Keep writing - and keep loving it. And just keep an eye on this blog. Happy Summer!!!!!
We were experimenting with "blind poetry" and acronyms (not anagrams as I initially said; thank you Mateus, for pointing that out to me. I think I was having a moment of word-dispraxia!). The "blind poem" (where we all write one line which is folded over before being passed to the next person), was not a huge success and I think this is because their ages are so diverse. Sophia told me bluntly "I don't get it!" so I explained it again and she said "I still don't get it!" So we went over it again and she gave it a go; coming up with a brilliant line. So I think she got it in the end. The acronyms were a much bigger success - as they were when I suggested them to the first group - and they were soon having fun playing with words, which is what it's all about after all!
Many thanks to Lucie - the librarian who came over and picked out the name for our mascot bear - it is Maddie - and everyone will get a certificate to mark their participation in this exercise. It was a great team effort.
Thanks as well to the grown-ups who have already completed their consent forms for October's Exhibition of Work. During the summer break I will ensure I see one of our contacts at the library to finalise the arrangements. I have already asked some of the members to keep specific bits of work safe for this and I will let you all know what is going on display nearer the time. If you haven't completed it yet, please try to have it ready for September.
As we go into yet another long summer holiday period, there will only be one session in August and that will be on Saturday 9th. I know most of the members will be on vacation so it will only be a token session. The summer assignment for all members is to keep a diary of what they do and where they go. It doesn't have to be a lot - just a sentence or two will suffice - it is really more to keep them writing. Having said that though, any that are handed in when the regular sessions resume in September will, of course, count towards their next certificate.
And talking of certificates, congratulations to Holly - who received her Blue membership certificate and to Fatima who was awarded her Red certificate. Several members are already well on their way to the Purple ones so keep up the good work everyone!
For those of you not away then, I will see you on the 9th. For the rest of you, September sessions resume on 6th September, which will be confirmed nearer the time.
Keep writing - and keep loving it. And just keep an eye on this blog. Happy Summer!!!!!
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