Many many thanks to those who braved the cold and joined us on Saturday for the last Young Writer session of 2014. Numbers were a bit low because of Christmas and also because of some these nasty little viruses drifting around (I almost didn't make it myself because of a chest infection) and to those who came along despite feeling unwell, thank you for coming and I hope you feel better soon and are ok to enjoy the Festive season.
It has been a brilliant nine months for Addiscombe Young Writers. When the group was re-launched in March, I didn't know if it would work or not - but it certainly has worked - as our successful Exhibition proved. We have covered everything from limericks to first/third person narratives, writing reports, interviews, short stories, letters, poems and some of the older ones even attempted plays. Whatever they are doing, they go to it with 100% enthusiasm and that comes from within themselves and deserves the highest praise. They tackle everything head on, even if they don't get it, and the fact they want to take responsibility for various things - fund-raising, helping one another along - even looking after Maddie for a couple of weeks - all of this is all the reward I ever craved. Each and every one of them is a Shining Star and it makes me so proud to work with them, so huge Well Dones and Pats On Back for everyone and thank you for all your hard work.
So we move now into 2015 and I have a number of ideas, all of which I will tell you about after the Christmas break. Keep those pencils sharpened and notebooks at the ready! A wonderful new creative year lies ahead.
Many thanks for all the Christmas cards and chocolates by the way; you thoroughly spoiled me!
Have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year. see you all on the 10th of January.
Monday, 22 December 2014
Wednesday, 3 December 2014
Don't forget Saturday's Session...
Hello again everyone. Just a quick reminder that we have the penultimate session prior to Christmas this Saturday, with the final one of 2014 being on 20th. I know by then lots of you will be completely caught up in Christmas plans so if your writer cannot make it that day, I will completely understand - although I'd be grateful if you could let me know so I can ensure I have the correct number of Selection Packs & Christmas cards to give out.
The dates for the spring sessions appear below. As ever these are subject to change but I will always do my best to let everyone know if I can't make one for some reason or have to change the date.
10th January 2015
24th January
7th February
21st February
7th March
21st March
11th April
25th April
2nd May
16th May
Looking forward to seeing you Saturday then. Enjoy the rest of your week.
The dates for the spring sessions appear below. As ever these are subject to change but I will always do my best to let everyone know if I can't make one for some reason or have to change the date.
10th January 2015
24th January
7th February
21st February
7th March
21st March
11th April
25th April
2nd May
16th May
Looking forward to seeing you Saturday then. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Sunday, 23 November 2014
Almost Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent Young Writer session yesterday. I had twelve young ladies in attendance including a new member Magisaa so a big welcome to her. And huge thanks to Mateus for joining us for the last twenty minutes or so. Being out-numbered 12 to 1 did not phase him at all and he got straight into the spirit of the session which was looking at First Person/Third Person narratives.
I've decided to start looking at the technical side of the writing as well as the creative side to help the Young Writers improve their skills. The older members were quite well-versed in this already but they soldiered on, helping the younger ones to whom the whole First/Third person issue is considerably new. I was very very excited when they began to grasp it within a few short minutes because it is not the easiest of the Creative Writing skills to get to grips with. We shall also be looking at past and present tense, how to tackle he said/she said and description over the coming sessions. I have every confidence that they will grasp each and every one and rise to each new challenge because they are all incredibly talented and very dedicated. I truly applaud them!
The assignment set was to write a story in the First Person so if they could have these done by the next session which is on 6th December, that would be terrific. I have reminded them that completed assignments all lead to the next certificate which I know is important to them. A couple told me they had not finished their previous assignment (writing about something an older family member experienced in their childhood) so it is not too late for these to be handed in on 6th either. And it is perfectly all right for the children to write their assignments in their notebooks as long as they bear in mind that I will then have to take the notebook home so I can mark it.
And talking of Christmas (somewhat alarmingly close with only two sessions to go), I simply cannot think what to give them all to acknowledge all their hard work. In the past I have given notebooks and pens but they all get one of these now when they join anyway so I was thinking I'd give them Selection Packs. Please make sure you let me know ASAP if you would prefer for your child not to receive sweets so that I can think again, but as long as you are happy with this idea, I shall go ahead with it. Let me know by text before the next session. Or send me an email - all contact details should be on the Info Sheets I give out as youngsters join. Failing that you can always comment on here, if you prefer. If I don't hear from you I shall assume you don't mind. I am only talking little Selection Packs by the way, not great big ones.
On our last session before Christmas - 20th December - we will be doing something a bit different but I know they will enjoy it.
And finally - I am planning to have the proposed Session dates up to Easter 2015 within the next couple of days so watch this space but I will give out an Info Sheet that day anyway. Oh yes and one little PS - I have asked for any suggestions for our new newsletter title to also be in by 6th December so please remind the children if they haven't already made theirs.
See you all on the 6th then - and Good Writing.
I've decided to start looking at the technical side of the writing as well as the creative side to help the Young Writers improve their skills. The older members were quite well-versed in this already but they soldiered on, helping the younger ones to whom the whole First/Third person issue is considerably new. I was very very excited when they began to grasp it within a few short minutes because it is not the easiest of the Creative Writing skills to get to grips with. We shall also be looking at past and present tense, how to tackle he said/she said and description over the coming sessions. I have every confidence that they will grasp each and every one and rise to each new challenge because they are all incredibly talented and very dedicated. I truly applaud them!
The assignment set was to write a story in the First Person so if they could have these done by the next session which is on 6th December, that would be terrific. I have reminded them that completed assignments all lead to the next certificate which I know is important to them. A couple told me they had not finished their previous assignment (writing about something an older family member experienced in their childhood) so it is not too late for these to be handed in on 6th either. And it is perfectly all right for the children to write their assignments in their notebooks as long as they bear in mind that I will then have to take the notebook home so I can mark it.
And talking of Christmas (somewhat alarmingly close with only two sessions to go), I simply cannot think what to give them all to acknowledge all their hard work. In the past I have given notebooks and pens but they all get one of these now when they join anyway so I was thinking I'd give them Selection Packs. Please make sure you let me know ASAP if you would prefer for your child not to receive sweets so that I can think again, but as long as you are happy with this idea, I shall go ahead with it. Let me know by text before the next session. Or send me an email - all contact details should be on the Info Sheets I give out as youngsters join. Failing that you can always comment on here, if you prefer. If I don't hear from you I shall assume you don't mind. I am only talking little Selection Packs by the way, not great big ones.
On our last session before Christmas - 20th December - we will be doing something a bit different but I know they will enjoy it.
And finally - I am planning to have the proposed Session dates up to Easter 2015 within the next couple of days so watch this space but I will give out an Info Sheet that day anyway. Oh yes and one little PS - I have asked for any suggestions for our new newsletter title to also be in by 6th December so please remind the children if they haven't already made theirs.
See you all on the 6th then - and Good Writing.
Monday, 10 November 2014
Fantastic
Brilliant session on Saturday! I know I seem to say this after every session but that is because every session is fantastic! Eleven children were in attendance and, in keeping with the Research theme started with the previous session's assignment, I split the children into pairs and had them interview one another. This was a HUGE success. It got them talking - even the really shy ones - and they used their initiatives - making lists of each other's answers. I tell you with no hesitation that these youngsters never cease to amaze and surprise me! I get so excited when a session is coming up because I never know what they might spring on me or how they'll interpret my suggestions. So so proud of them all!
The assignment set was to find out about something that a grown up in the family experienced when they were little and write a short story about it. If these can be handed in next session, that would be great.
I have been asked by the library staff to come up with the post-Christmas session dates and as soon as I have these I will let you all know.
Maddie the AYW bear is still doing the rounds. She is having more sleepovers than I have ever had in my life! Zenani has her this time, so she is slowly working her way round everyone. Be interesting to read the Maddie diaries when they are done. I don't get a look in at the moment so I might pinch her back the last session before Christmas and read through them over the break.
Some excellent news, by the way! I have had a couple of articles published about running AYW and I have recently heard that on the strength of the most recent one, at least one group has been started in Bristol and another is being developed somewhere else. This is so exciting I can hardly contain myself! Getting more people to set up more groups has been one of the things driving me on to make this one - the pioneering one - such a success, so I shall be contacting the people behind these over the next few days because the more support we give each other, the stronger the scheme will become, so watch this space, I will be updating!
Next session is Saturday 22nd November - eek! Christmas will then be just four and a bit weeks away!
Love Jilly xxx
The assignment set was to find out about something that a grown up in the family experienced when they were little and write a short story about it. If these can be handed in next session, that would be great.
I have been asked by the library staff to come up with the post-Christmas session dates and as soon as I have these I will let you all know.
Maddie the AYW bear is still doing the rounds. She is having more sleepovers than I have ever had in my life! Zenani has her this time, so she is slowly working her way round everyone. Be interesting to read the Maddie diaries when they are done. I don't get a look in at the moment so I might pinch her back the last session before Christmas and read through them over the break.
Some excellent news, by the way! I have had a couple of articles published about running AYW and I have recently heard that on the strength of the most recent one, at least one group has been started in Bristol and another is being developed somewhere else. This is so exciting I can hardly contain myself! Getting more people to set up more groups has been one of the things driving me on to make this one - the pioneering one - such a success, so I shall be contacting the people behind these over the next few days because the more support we give each other, the stronger the scheme will become, so watch this space, I will be updating!
Next session is Saturday 22nd November - eek! Christmas will then be just four and a bit weeks away!
Love Jilly xxx
Thursday, 6 November 2014
Saturday Is Almost Here
Just a brief reminder that there will be a Young Writer session this weekend (Saturday 8th) at the library as usual, so looking forward to seeing you there. Also to let you know I have compiled a scrap book featuring some of the work displayed in last month's exhibition which I will be bringing along to show everyone. I hope you like it. So see you Saturday and Good Writing.
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
Session Feedback ...
Sorry it has taken me a few days to come back to you following last week's brilliant session. After my five day break last week up near Newcastle, getting back late Friday and getting everything ready for the Saturday morning, I am still trying to catch myself up!
Good session Saturday. Had two new members, so big hi and welcome to Sarah and Ines. There are now eighteen Young Writers on my books and the sessions have settled down to around ten in attendance which is excellent progress. The theme for the session was Halloween. We discussed poetry, stories and even creating magic potions, I also explained to the children that we would be looking at the mechanics of writing as well from now on - working to a deadline and within a word (or line) limit for example, and doing research, looking at other aspects of writing that we have barely touched on - such as writing reports and reviews. I am not sure how much they grasped, but I will make sure it is all explained as we go along. And, of course, that it is fun!
I made a couple of announcements. The first is that there is going to be a bi-monthly newsletter which I am hoping to start in the New Year. I have set the children the challenge of coming up with a name for our little publication and asked that they come back with their suggestions next session. I set the ball rolling with a couple of very basic ideas - The AYW Newsheet and AYW News. I explained that their titles do not need to actually feature the words Addiscombe Young Writers at all, rather like the group's first publication Word Magic. One has already suggested something to do with the group mascot Maddie Bear; which is quite appropriate since the Maddie Diary is doing the rounds. So far she has spent time at Sophia and Mateus's house, Holly's house - and last week Abbie was selected to become her guardian. Once all the suggestions are in for the title, we will have a volunteer pull the winner out of the hat. All very exciting stuff!
I also told the members that I am going to create a display book featuring some of their work from the exhibition, which will be available for everyone to look at since I'll be bringing it along to the sessions once it is finished. That way we will have a permanent record.
With the exhibition over, we are now going to go back to regular assignments. For the mums, dads and guardians of the recent newbies, I'd just like to reiterate a couple of things. Firstly, the children do not have to participate in the assignments if they don't want to, or if it is a subject in which they have little interest; however by taking part and handing their completed assignments in, they are working their way through the Certificate Trail, which gives them some incentive, and hopefully, as they progress, a sense of achievement. All members receive a Blue Certificate upon joining, a Red certificate upon completion of four assignments, a Purple one on completion of eight and a Rainbow one on completion of twelve. Once they have worked their way up to Rainbow, they go into the next Band of certificates - which differentiate from their original certificates because they will be labelled thus; Red Certificate - Band Two, Purple Certificate - Band Two and Rainbow Certificate - Band Two, and so on until they get bored and leave or simply outgrow the group.
The assignment I set last Saturday was for the children to get to grips with doing research by finding out what they can about Halloween - either by going online or by looking in books - and then to tell me what they found out by writing a short report. If this can be completed by the next session that would be helpful. And the next session of course, will be on Saturday 8th of November.
Always grateful for any feedback or comments on the blog; you wouldn't believe how much it helps me to plan ahead, so please do not be afraid to get in touch.
See you all on the 8th then. Good Writing everyone xx
Good session Saturday. Had two new members, so big hi and welcome to Sarah and Ines. There are now eighteen Young Writers on my books and the sessions have settled down to around ten in attendance which is excellent progress. The theme for the session was Halloween. We discussed poetry, stories and even creating magic potions, I also explained to the children that we would be looking at the mechanics of writing as well from now on - working to a deadline and within a word (or line) limit for example, and doing research, looking at other aspects of writing that we have barely touched on - such as writing reports and reviews. I am not sure how much they grasped, but I will make sure it is all explained as we go along. And, of course, that it is fun!
I made a couple of announcements. The first is that there is going to be a bi-monthly newsletter which I am hoping to start in the New Year. I have set the children the challenge of coming up with a name for our little publication and asked that they come back with their suggestions next session. I set the ball rolling with a couple of very basic ideas - The AYW Newsheet and AYW News. I explained that their titles do not need to actually feature the words Addiscombe Young Writers at all, rather like the group's first publication Word Magic. One has already suggested something to do with the group mascot Maddie Bear; which is quite appropriate since the Maddie Diary is doing the rounds. So far she has spent time at Sophia and Mateus's house, Holly's house - and last week Abbie was selected to become her guardian. Once all the suggestions are in for the title, we will have a volunteer pull the winner out of the hat. All very exciting stuff!
I also told the members that I am going to create a display book featuring some of their work from the exhibition, which will be available for everyone to look at since I'll be bringing it along to the sessions once it is finished. That way we will have a permanent record.
With the exhibition over, we are now going to go back to regular assignments. For the mums, dads and guardians of the recent newbies, I'd just like to reiterate a couple of things. Firstly, the children do not have to participate in the assignments if they don't want to, or if it is a subject in which they have little interest; however by taking part and handing their completed assignments in, they are working their way through the Certificate Trail, which gives them some incentive, and hopefully, as they progress, a sense of achievement. All members receive a Blue Certificate upon joining, a Red certificate upon completion of four assignments, a Purple one on completion of eight and a Rainbow one on completion of twelve. Once they have worked their way up to Rainbow, they go into the next Band of certificates - which differentiate from their original certificates because they will be labelled thus; Red Certificate - Band Two, Purple Certificate - Band Two and Rainbow Certificate - Band Two, and so on until they get bored and leave or simply outgrow the group.
The assignment I set last Saturday was for the children to get to grips with doing research by finding out what they can about Halloween - either by going online or by looking in books - and then to tell me what they found out by writing a short report. If this can be completed by the next session that would be helpful. And the next session of course, will be on Saturday 8th of November.
Always grateful for any feedback or comments on the blog; you wouldn't believe how much it helps me to plan ahead, so please do not be afraid to get in touch.
See you all on the 8th then. Good Writing everyone xx
Sunday, 12 October 2014
Great Session...
Had a truly excellent session with the Young Writers yesterday! We went over to our display as an excited little group and there is nothing - and I mean nothing - in the world that can compare to the thrill it gave me to see these children excitedly pointing out their work. They were kneeling down, crouching, laying on the floor - anything that would get them close to their piece of work so they could read it over and over again. It was an amazing and, from a purely selfish point of view, emotional moment for me because I can remember how it feels to see your first success right there in black and white (or in colour as most of these are) in front of your eyes.
After a photo call we all went back to our table and I asked them to describe how they felt seeing their work on display. I took some interesting photos of them bent of their notebooks as they fervently scribbled away. As they finished one by one, I suggested they make the most of the rest of the session writing whatever they wanted to because, as I explained, when we start the sessions after the exhibition, it will be back to assignment sheets and a much more structured approach. I have in fact, started planning the sessions already but more on all that another time.
Once again I want to thank you all for your support of the group and the feedback and I especially want to thank the library staff for facilitating us because if it wasn't for them, I am not sure the group would be gaining such momentum!
The next session is on October 25th, so see you then - and a huge well done to all the Young Writers - they are amazing!
After a photo call we all went back to our table and I asked them to describe how they felt seeing their work on display. I took some interesting photos of them bent of their notebooks as they fervently scribbled away. As they finished one by one, I suggested they make the most of the rest of the session writing whatever they wanted to because, as I explained, when we start the sessions after the exhibition, it will be back to assignment sheets and a much more structured approach. I have in fact, started planning the sessions already but more on all that another time.
Once again I want to thank you all for your support of the group and the feedback and I especially want to thank the library staff for facilitating us because if it wasn't for them, I am not sure the group would be gaining such momentum!
The next session is on October 25th, so see you then - and a huge well done to all the Young Writers - they are amazing!
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