Hi everyone. We had an amazing session on Saturday! Thirteen children came along, including five returning new members! And I had a barrage of enquiries after the session as well! This is brilliant for the group and shows that there is still a place out there for Young Writers! Even with the technological highway becoming more like the M1 during peak hours!
At Saturday's session, we were starting the build up to the festive season with the task being to create a Christmas or Winter story or poem. I gave the choice because I am aware that not everyone celebrates Christmas and I did not want anyone to feel left out. They practically all went for acrostic poems about Christmas anyway, but it was important they had the choice. The assignment was to write a letter to their favourite author, but this does not need handing in until our first session of the New Year, which is on January 7th.
The Young Writers were all delighted with their copies of Word Magic 2 last Saturday. Further copies can be bought for £2.00 each and would make a truly delightful gift for relatives and friends, so please buy, buy, buy!
Our next session is all about Party Time. It is on 17th December (not the 19th as stated in my previous post - now corrected, by the way) from 9.30 until 10.30, but if we over run a bit, it won't matter. On that day, we will be launching our new book Word Magic 2 and the group's first ever Trophies are going to be awarded, plus there'll be Certificates of Achievement to everyone who contributed to the book. I have had a word with Santa and he has given his blessing for me to distribute some early Christmas presents as well so it is going to be a manic but rather jolly affair as we will also be having nibbles. If you would like to bring along some crisps, or biscuits - that would be fine. I will bring some paper plates, along too.
Finally, I would like to put some feelers out and I could really use your help. With the group doing so well, and attendance figures continually on the rise, I really think I need an extra pair of hands during the sessions. Would any mums or dads be prepared to stay during the sessions or do you know anyone who would like to be a volunteer helper? An interest in writing would be an advantage, but mainly the ability to get on with children and meet them at their level would be paramount. If you think you can help - or know someone who may be able to help, please let me know.
See you all on 17th then - mums, dads, siblings - all are welcome to stay!
Monday, 5 December 2016
Thursday, 1 December 2016
Amazing!!!
The new Young Writer book "Word Magic 2" is all done and dusted and looks absolutely amazing! I took delivery of 150 copies yesterday and we will incorporate the launch with the final session of the year on 17th December - as long as the library staff don't mind. Every single contributor and active group member will receive a free copy of the book this weekend and any other copies required will cost £2.00 - not a lot - and will be available to buy at our session on 17th December. They will make lovely personal Christmas presents for friends, teachers and relations - especially if your young writer is encouraged to autograph it!
On that day, all contributors will also be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, plus the group's first ever trophies will be awarded so 19th December is going to be a Big Day for AYW!
At our previous session, on 19th November, we did a one-off session looking at research and writing reports. The idea was to find a period in history they find interesting and look up relevant facts using the library, the internet (with parental supervision) and also just by talking to people - and then to write it up like a newspaper report - a challenge I know the Young Writers can rise to!
Looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend, then!
On that day, all contributors will also be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, plus the group's first ever trophies will be awarded so 19th December is going to be a Big Day for AYW!
At our previous session, on 19th November, we did a one-off session looking at research and writing reports. The idea was to find a period in history they find interesting and look up relevant facts using the library, the internet (with parental supervision) and also just by talking to people - and then to write it up like a newspaper report - a challenge I know the Young Writers can rise to!
Looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend, then!
Monday, 14 November 2016
LOOKING GOOD!!!
Hi everyone. Had another cracking Young Writer session on 5th November - 10 children. This seems to be the average now, which is fine by me and pretty manageable.
I brought a dummy copy of the new book in to show the members and they all looked delighted. I am now awaiting a hard-copy proof from Cherrills (the printer), which should arrive any day. I have also asked for the cover of the finished books to be laminated - I think that will give it extra quality. PLUS I managed to match the 22 pages of the first book and I think it is going to be brilliant. Huge Well Done to everyone.
At the last session, we looked at setting the scene to add atmosphere to our fiction and the assignment was to incorporate everything we have covered since this topic began - developing realistic characters, developing plot and adding atmosphere through scene-setting - and write a brand new story using all the "ingredients". I must say I have been very very impressed by everything the members have accomplished during this period as it has been pretty intense. But - much to their relief (and mine to a degree) - we will be starting something new this weekend - something we have not really done previously, although we have touched on it.
I was delighted a few days ago to take delivery of the first ever AYW trophies! Such a thrill - and my hope is that these will be presented no later than January. They are absolutely gorgeous and I know just how much they will be appreciated, too! Plan now is to get everyone to this stage - but of course - much of it lies with the Young Writers themselves and how much work they are prepared to put in.
I don't think I will be disappointed.
See you Saturday.
I brought a dummy copy of the new book in to show the members and they all looked delighted. I am now awaiting a hard-copy proof from Cherrills (the printer), which should arrive any day. I have also asked for the cover of the finished books to be laminated - I think that will give it extra quality. PLUS I managed to match the 22 pages of the first book and I think it is going to be brilliant. Huge Well Done to everyone.
At the last session, we looked at setting the scene to add atmosphere to our fiction and the assignment was to incorporate everything we have covered since this topic began - developing realistic characters, developing plot and adding atmosphere through scene-setting - and write a brand new story using all the "ingredients". I must say I have been very very impressed by everything the members have accomplished during this period as it has been pretty intense. But - much to their relief (and mine to a degree) - we will be starting something new this weekend - something we have not really done previously, although we have touched on it.
I was delighted a few days ago to take delivery of the first ever AYW trophies! Such a thrill - and my hope is that these will be presented no later than January. They are absolutely gorgeous and I know just how much they will be appreciated, too! Plan now is to get everyone to this stage - but of course - much of it lies with the Young Writers themselves and how much work they are prepared to put in.
I don't think I will be disappointed.
See you Saturday.
Monday, 31 October 2016
Happy Halloween!!
Hi everyone. I have just not had a minute to write a new post for the AYW blog and I am so sorry! I just hope you are all ok.
Continuing with the story theme, the last session (22nd October) saw us looking at way to build a plot. The idea that an IDEA plus a CHARACTER can create a plot was explored, with the Young Writers creating a "plot sheet" with characters on one side and situations on the other which could then be linked together by a line drawn between them - and the assignment was then to produce a story from those various "ingredients". This is based on a "Plot Book" I created some years ago for my own use which followed the same principal - and it is in fact a wholly effective way to get the creative juices flowing!
I have promised the Young Writers that I will try to bring a dummy copy of Word Magic 2 in to the next session (this Saturday 5th November). The layout is almost finished now and it would be great to get their reactions so I will do my best - even if it is not the whole book. It has actually proved quite a challenge this time, trying to give everyone's work equal exposure but I must say I am pretty happy with what I have managed to do so far.
So will sign off for now but look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.
Continuing with the story theme, the last session (22nd October) saw us looking at way to build a plot. The idea that an IDEA plus a CHARACTER can create a plot was explored, with the Young Writers creating a "plot sheet" with characters on one side and situations on the other which could then be linked together by a line drawn between them - and the assignment was then to produce a story from those various "ingredients". This is based on a "Plot Book" I created some years ago for my own use which followed the same principal - and it is in fact a wholly effective way to get the creative juices flowing!
I have promised the Young Writers that I will try to bring a dummy copy of Word Magic 2 in to the next session (this Saturday 5th November). The layout is almost finished now and it would be great to get their reactions so I will do my best - even if it is not the whole book. It has actually proved quite a challenge this time, trying to give everyone's work equal exposure but I must say I am pretty happy with what I have managed to do so far.
So will sign off for now but look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.
Tuesday, 4 October 2016
"All About Me" ...
Very good session on 24th September. We touched on something we have not covered before (yes - there are still a few things yet to explore) and that was Autobiography, Biography and Memoirs. I explained the difference between the three - autobiography being about the life of the person writing, biography being about the life of someone else and memoirs being odd little memories that just come back to us once in a while. I also explained that not only famous people are covered by these, but many ordinary people as well, who want to share with future generations something they have experienced, but don't necessarily want to tell the story of their whole life.
We all love writing and talking about ourselves and each and every one of us has unique experiences to our name so I got the members writing something about themselves, initially. The assignment set was to write a biography of someone they know - a family member, friend or even a pet or toy - and I was only looking at a maximum of one page so it shouldn't be too taxing for them. Any brought in for marking will count towards their next certificate.
We had ten children turn up which is brilliant and looking forward to seeing everyone this Saturday, 8th October.
Still working on the new Word Magic book, doing some whenever I get the opportunity and it is starting to take shape nicely. I will let you see the dummy copy when it is ready.
And please let me know of any school fetes, fayres or bazaars coming up so I can sell copies of my books - or if you want extra copies of my book "My Writer" for Christmas presents, please let me know.
See you Saturday, then.
We all love writing and talking about ourselves and each and every one of us has unique experiences to our name so I got the members writing something about themselves, initially. The assignment set was to write a biography of someone they know - a family member, friend or even a pet or toy - and I was only looking at a maximum of one page so it shouldn't be too taxing for them. Any brought in for marking will count towards their next certificate.
We had ten children turn up which is brilliant and looking forward to seeing everyone this Saturday, 8th October.
Still working on the new Word Magic book, doing some whenever I get the opportunity and it is starting to take shape nicely. I will let you see the dummy copy when it is ready.
And please let me know of any school fetes, fayres or bazaars coming up so I can sell copies of my books - or if you want extra copies of my book "My Writer" for Christmas presents, please let me know.
See you Saturday, then.
Wednesday, 21 September 2016
Hello Again ...
We had a good session on the first day back after the summer break. Seven young writers turned up including a possible new member and we eased our way in gently with a brief exercise in description. This is a subject rarely touched upon. But it is a warming thought that most of the Young Writers do it instinctively already! So I paired the children up as best I could and had them describe their partner. I didn't set an assignment - they start this week, so that the members can get back on the Certificate Trail.
I have been busy since my last post, compiling and laying out the new book Word Magic 2 and when I have completed a dummy copy, I will bring it in and show the Young Writers then ship it off to the printer. My hope is that it will be launched in December to take advantage of Christmas buying. I thought a cover price of £2.50 per copy would be okay - but everyone whose work appears in it or who are active members of Addiscombe Young Writers will get a free copy. I'd like to see proud mums and dads buying extra copies for friends and family, so fingers crossed. Let me know what you think about the cover price.
Don't forget we have a session at the library this weekend - 24th Septemeber - and here is a list of future dates right up to the end of March 2017:
8th & 22nd October
5th & 19th November
3rd & 17th December
7th & 23rd January 2017
4th & 18th February
10th & 24th March
I will let you have the dates for April onward a bit later.
See you all Saturday.
I have been busy since my last post, compiling and laying out the new book Word Magic 2 and when I have completed a dummy copy, I will bring it in and show the Young Writers then ship it off to the printer. My hope is that it will be launched in December to take advantage of Christmas buying. I thought a cover price of £2.50 per copy would be okay - but everyone whose work appears in it or who are active members of Addiscombe Young Writers will get a free copy. I'd like to see proud mums and dads buying extra copies for friends and family, so fingers crossed. Let me know what you think about the cover price.
Don't forget we have a session at the library this weekend - 24th Septemeber - and here is a list of future dates right up to the end of March 2017:
8th & 22nd October
5th & 19th November
3rd & 17th December
7th & 23rd January 2017
4th & 18th February
10th & 24th March
I will let you have the dates for April onward a bit later.
See you all Saturday.
Wednesday, 31 August 2016
Soon Be Back ...
Hi y'all! Got an email from a member of the library team asking when our Young Writer Sessions start up again. Just in case you missed it, we are back a week from this Saturday - that is 10th September, so looking forward to seeing you then.
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