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TIGHTEN UP YOUR FU[Chat and Brainstorming] COPY
Posts
He has a good mechanic.
Do you remember that ONE time I got to make a thread. And how it was the most awesome chat thread ever made. And do you remember that other time when you stole a chat thread from me? Back in the days when we average one post a week, and 100 pages took epochs?
Because I do.
I just... finagled it.
vis a tergo | Blog | Twitter | Blip.fm | Dropbox
Speaking of which, I just sent this to a teacher who asked how to introduce the Young Writer's Program to her 4th and 5th grade students. Any additional suggestions and also am I totally wrong and stupid? Or you can ignore it. Or you can tell me how awesome and helpful I am. I think I am a better teacher than I am a writer.
My second suggestion is to incorporate at least one writing sprint per day into the actual classroom time. You grab a timer, set it for ten minutes, and then have everyone work on their novels for that time. Once the timer goes off, everyone has to stop, even if they are in the middle of a sentence (or you can be nice and let them finish the sentence). Ten minutes may not sound like a lot, but if the students can get over their initial inhibitions, you'll be surprised by how much they can accomplish in that limited time. I'd suggest making it at a time when their focus is at its peak; you'd probably know best when in the day that tends to happen.
My third suggestion, which may or may not work depending on the classroom dynamic, would be to have a classroom progress chart to inspire a bit of competition. You can also, or instead, give out some kinds of awards as incentive for reaching certain word count milestones, whether individually or as a group. And after the month is over, have a Thank Goodness It's Over (TGIO) party--that's what the rest of us do, so why shouldn't they have one, too?
In terms of introducing the concept of writing a novel in a month, you might want to start with some discussion of the building blocks of a novel: character, setting, plot, conflict, theme and so forth. Maybe have a unit in which the students plan out each of those items in advance, so when they actually start writing, they already have a head start and don't feel overwhelmed.
Something that might help if there is reluctance: tell the students that no one is going to read their novels if they don't want to share them. Make sure they know that it's a first draft, and that the books they get at the library have been edited over and over again. Focus on word count as the symbol of achievement, rather than quality of writing. Then, in December, maybe have them pick their favorite parts to revise and share with the class. If they know that they are allowed to be sloppy in order to be quick, they might not get so stuck and stressed out. And really, with that quantity of writing, the likelihood of the quality improving over time is very high regardless.
vis a tergo | Blog | Twitter | Blip.fm | Dropbox
*gives Quoth a "10-minute writing spree advocate" button.*
:U
We really are a self-governing republic.
I'm here, lurking in the shadows.
I really am a slacker.
when the indigo children come
Look sprints are the best thing, if everyone just realized that it would be a much happier and more productive place all around.
I too am curious to find out how well an elementary school class can handle the rigors of writing a lengthy piece of work. They don't have to write 50,000 words, by the way... I think it's more like 10,000. But that is still a sizable goal for any age.
Edit: Apparently they set their own word count goal. Lucky pups.
vis a tergo | Blog | Twitter | Blip.fm | Dropbox
"from what we cannot hold the stars are made"
Thanks W. S. Merwin, do better with the rest next time.
vis a tergo | Blog | Twitter | Blip.fm | Dropbox
":U" is just my natural expression for everything.
Edit: Laaaaaaaaaaame.
this is great. but i would love to see the results organized by genre-hats.
However I'm incredibly outnumbered by the berets/wizards so I cry every night.
...holy crap I just had the inspiration to write serials about the genre cliques themselves. Hot damn I've got so many ideas.
Got back from Oz about 2 1/2 weeks ago, basically been doing nothing as my new job doesn't start until Oct.6 Been working odd jobs in the meantime for cash and have been slowly attacking a project called Rekill. It's an animated feature that I've been hired to write for Swarm Entertainment.
Did some final edits on my Barr novel, and it's actually DONE. Final draft is complete.
How've you been?
I don't know. An alliance isn't likely, and I feel suspiciously wedged in somehow.
Yes, please.
Can the various hat groups be sorted into subgroups based on facial hair? I'd like to be with the moustachio'd wizard hats, if possible.
vis a tergo | Blog | Twitter | Blip.fm | Dropbox
vis a tergo | Blog | Twitter | Blip.fm | Dropbox
Hills like pink [chat]ephants?
"Humor can be dissected, as a frog can, but it dies in the process."
Imagine all of my posts being spoken by Alec Baldwin
GamerTag: MunkusBeaver ||||| Steam: munkus