writing camp for teens

Writing Prompts for July 2018

WRITING PROMPTS JULY 2018

I believe that creativity begets creativity. When I’m working on one creative project, I get inspiration and ideas for others. Does the same thing happen to you? It’s certainly a lovely to be in that place right now. I plan to enjoy it and wish the same for you!

I’m also happy to announce the launch of my online Writing Camp for Teens. If you are a teen writer or have a teen writer in your family, please check out what I’ve been up to here.

I’m taking the plunge and attending a writers’ critique group this evening. I only know one member, so I’m a little intimidated, but I know it’s healthy to get out and meet other writers. I’ve always been reluctant to share my work, so this will be a stretch for me. If those of you already in critique groups have any encouraging advice (or cautionary tales) please pass them along. I’m sure I’m not the only one interested in some insider information.

I hope you enjoy the new writing prompts and that you and yours have a healthy and writerly month ahead.

Use one, some, or all of the words in one of these groups to create a story or poem.

  • Deck, breeze, book, cup, alone, fear
  • Lake, tree, shore, run, midnight
  • Table, menu, grief, pie, memory
  • Message, hurry, unknown, friend, doubt
  • Thunder, clouds, running shelter, lightning, breath

Use one of these opening sentences to start a story.

  • I deserved better.
  • Henry smelled of Old Spice and trouble.
  • The audience rose to its feet.
  • Saying goodbye was going to be harder than I thought
  • I was afraid that my famous last words were going to be, “I should never have believed Henry.”
  • Storm front coming.
  • I wasn’t sure Helen would recover from this one.

Here are some titles that might inspire a story or poem: Every Monday, Run, The Last Pony, The Answer, Quotient, Formula for Murder, Always or Never, Alone in the Sky, Promises and Lies, One Heart for Yesterday.

Here are some dialogue excerpts. See what scenes you can create from them.

  • I haven’t seen Henry for ages.
  • He was around yesterday. Maybe, he doesn’t want to see you.

 

  • Did you like the movie?
  • Uh huh.
  • That’s all you have to say?
  • Didn’t you notice who was sitting in front of us?

 

  • I thought we were done here.
  • You might be, but I’m not.

 

  • Did you hear what Helen said?
  • Yes.
  • Did it sound like a threat to you?
  • Yes.

 

  • I’ve had enough. Let’s go.
  • Who put you in charge?
  • Okay fine. You can stay, but I’m leaving now.

 

 

 

 

 

Online Writing Camp for Teens

Online Writing Camp for Teens – Explore Creativity and Story Writing at Home

I’m really excited to announce that I have just put the latest touches on my online Writing Camp for Teens. It’s a self-run, online course, offered through Teachable with five Activity Bundles containing writing activities, crafts, field trip ideas, and Internet links. The Activity Bundles are organized by topics and can be completed one day at a time, or they can be dipped into at random for a variety of activities all centred around writing.

Activity Bundles

  1. Finding Story Ideas
  2. Learning About Your Characters
  3. Plotting and Starting Your Story
  4. Writing Description and World Building
  5. Writing Dialogue

Writers can use the information in Writing Camp for Teens anytime in the future, too. Students have lifetime access.

The Other Activities in the bundles are creative activities that are fun to do along with the writing.  A few of these focus on drawing for a reason. Writers tend to have a critical voice in their heads that can get in the way of creativity. Drawing and colouring are simple ways to quiet that voice before tackling a writing session.

Along with writing-centred exercises and activities, the Writing Camp for Teens provides a few links to librarian-selected reading lists by age. Links to resources and writing tips are in each bundle.

I have incorporated relevant material from my two books, Writing Fiction: A Hands-On Guide for Teens and Writing Fiction: A Guide for Pre-Teens, into this Writing Camp package, along with lots of writing prompts in each bundle. There’s no need to buy either of the books to supplement the camp material.

Writing Camp for Teens is offered at two levels: Silver and Gold. The Gold Level includes a personal critique by me of a 1500-word excerpt from a story or novel.

Please take a peak at Writing Camp for Teens at the following link. Several activities are open for you to explore. https://wrightwriter-school.teachable.com/p/writing-camp-for-teens/

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