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Worldspinner: Fantasy map making and world building

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Pick any part of your world, choose a style, and Worldspinner automatically renders a high-quality map. No other tools or artistic skills required!

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44 Perfect Songs To Listen To While You Write

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I've created an online, 5-day creative writing program called Writing Camp for Teens. The program contains five activity bundles with writing-centered exercises, crafts, resources, and the odd field trip. You will have enough writing prompts to last a long time. There are options that include email coaching or a critique of your story. Please check out Writing Camp for Teens here.
Nearly 600 writing prompts to help inspire your writing, break through writer's block, or give you a place to start whenever you need a story idea.
I've given this page a new look that I hope is easier to negotiate that the previous, strangely-numbered edition. Scroll down to find six different categories of writing starters: first lines, thinking about your character, connect the random words-or not, writing prompts and questions, dialogue prompts, story titles. From now on, new prompts will get added to all the categories from the top, except the dialogue prompts that have to get added to the end of the category to keep the numbering system working. Have fun!

Please say "hello" to my newest book, too. Click on the cover photo to find out more.
If you would like to know more about my books for young readers and writers of all ages, please join the mailing list by adding your name and email to the sign up form in the sidebar. I promise that you will not be bombarded with spam emails, just the odd thing that I come across that you might find useful, a couple of sample chapters as I work through new projects, and my newest writing prompts.
The prompts below should help you find a story idea, but if you're looking for a way to outline the action of a longer story, consider the hero's journey. Here's an outline of how it works.
Plotting with the Hero's Journey
In 1949, a scholar named Joseph Campbell published a book called The Hero with a Thousand Faces. In the book, he explained what he had learned from studying religions, mythology and legends from around the world. He looked at stories from different cultures about their heroes and heroines. He found one story that seemed to occur in all cultures, no matter when they existed in history or where they existed on the planet. This pattern for a story has become known as the "hero's journey."

The hero's journey is not just a pattern that belongs to old stories. It's being used today in books you've read and movies that you've seen. Writers use it because it is a pattern that their readers enjoy, no matter whether they are male or female. Screenwriters use it because it helps them write a better movie.

One well-known book about the hero's journey was written by Christopher Vogler. It's called The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers. Vogler worked at Disney Studios when they were creating The Lion King and Aladdin and wrote a memo to the Disney screenwriters about using the hero's journey pattern to make good films. Use the terms "hero's journey" to search the Internet and you will find lots of examples and more detailed descriptions of the pattern.

The hero's journey pattern roughly follows the steps in the list below. Keep in mind, that just because it's called the hero's journey, this story pattern isn't restricted to stories about boys only. You'll see, from an example later on in the chapter that this pattern applies to stories about girls, too. Can you think of a book you've read or a movie you've watched that follows a similar pattern to the steps here?

The hero has an "unusual" birth. Often the hero is an orphan or has something mysterious in his past.

The hero is asked to do something that, at first, he doesn't want to do, so he says no. Then he is asked again, but this time he says yes.

Early in the journey, the hero gets help from someone wise.

The hero travels from the familiar world to the adventure world.

The hero is tested by people and events.

The hero often has a helper or sidekick in the adventure world.

The hero faces a final battle where all could be won or lost.

After the battle, the hero returns with something that benefits others

George Lucas used that pattern in his Star Wars films, JK Rowling's Harry Potter books follow the pattern, and you can see the pattern in The Hunger Games, too. Not every part of your story has to match the steps listed above. The hero's journey is just a plotting device that's worth thinking about when you tackle a big project like a novel. Here's how it works in two books you might know.
Hero's Journey in Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief and Ella Enchanted

The hero has an "unusual" birth. Often the hero is an orphan or has something mysterious in his past.

Percy is a demi-god. His father is the ancient Greek god, Poseidon

Ella is given the gift of obedience when she is born from a fairy named Lucinda. This gift is really a curse. She has a fairy godmother and is part fairy herself, but doesn't find that out until she is older.

The hero is asked to do something out of his or her comfort zone and initially refuses. Then The hero is asked again, but this time he or she decides to accept.

Percy's doesn't want to go to the camp his mother is taking him to, and doesn't understand the danger. At camp, he doesn't really want to be there, especially after he finds out who his father is and he is separated from his friends.

After her mother dies, Ella is told that she has to go to finishing school. She doesn't want to go, but she is given an order so she has to obey.

Early in the journey, the hero gets help from someone wise.

Charon gives Percy a ballpoint pen that becomes a sword. He gets prophecies from the oracle, but is told that they might not mean what he thinks they do.

Ella gets help from her fairy godmother, Mandy. Because Ella is part fairy, she can read a special book that Mandy gives her. The book tells her what other people are doing and thinking.

The hero travels from the familiar world to the adventure world.

Percy goes on a quest to return lightning to Zeus. His personal quest is to save his mother. The world outside the camp isn't the same as when he left it because he now knows that it is full of danger and monsters.

Ella goes to finishing school where her step-sisters find out her secret. She runs away and travels to a giant's wedding so she can find Lucinda and get the curse undone.

The hero is tested by people and events.

He faces many monsters and threats to his life on his quest, including being attached by the Furies, Medusa, Chimera, and Echidna.

Ella is tormented by her step-sisters and forced to give up her only friend at the school She runs away to find Lucinda and tames ogres and meets giants and goes for 6 days without food. Lucinda gives her a worse curse-to be happy when she obeys. She agrees to marry someone she doesn't love because of the curse.

The hero often has a helper or sidekick in the adventure world

Percy travels with two friends: Annabeth and Grover

Ella gets help from the book, and from the soldier that Char sends with her to the giants. She also makes friends with the elves.

The hero faces a final battle where all could be won or lost.

Percy has to battle Ares, the god of war, in order to win the helmet that has to be returned to Hades.

Ella breaks her spell in order to save Char whom she loves.

After the battle, the hero returns with something that benefits others.

Percy returns the lightning to Zeus and saves his mother. He ends the conflict between Zeus and his father.

Ella is free from the curse and can marry Char, and her step-mother and sisters are punished.

Keep in mind the story line graph that your teachers draw on the board showing the introduction, the inciting incident, the rising action, turning point, falling action and conclusion. That drawing is a good reminder that you need to keep your reader interested in your character's story by keeping your character in trouble, increasing the danger until a final moment when the action comes to a climax and the problem is finally solved.

In the table above, "the hero is tested by people and events" corresponds to the rising action of a story. In a short story, the rising action doesn't take any breaks, and follows a steady course to the end of the story. In a longer work, you will need to give your readers some short breaks in the action while your character reflects on what has just happened, heals wounds, gathers strength or learns skills for the next challenge, reviews the clues (if your story is a mystery), or maybe just has some fun. After these breaks, your character's next challenge will have a strong impact on your reader and keep those pages turning.
WRITING PROMPTS FIRST LINES/LAST LINES
Think of a story that might begin or end with one of these sentences:
THINKING ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER

1. What would your character write in his or her journal in response to these prompts?
a) What annoyed me today.
b) What made me laugh today.
c) The news story/Facebook post that made me smile.
d) How I feel about thunderstorms.
e) Music that brings back memories.
f) If I could live at any time in human history, it would be ________ because ....

2. Have some fun with these questions designed to dig a little deeper into your character and to give you some thoughtful journal topics to explore.

3. What masks do your characters wear to hide their feelings in certain situations? Whom do they trust to see behind their masks?

4. What costumes did your characters want to wear on Hallowe'en when they were children? Did they want to be superheroes or bunnies or witches or pirates or ....? What was your favourite Hallowe'en costume? Why was it your favourite?

5. What do you need to have the best start to your day? Eight hours sleep? Two cups of coffee? Skipping morning altogether? Music? All news radio? What happens when your favorite morning routine goes wrong? Now answer these questions for your character.

6. In Stuart Kaminsky's Toby Peters mysteries, Toby has recurring nightmares that feature Bozo the clown. Write about your recurring dream or create one for your character.

7. If your characters live in the present, what photos or images do your characters have on their desktops or cell phone screens? Why is this image important? If your characters live in another time, what photos would they keep in a wallet or on a bedside table, or what poster would they have on their bedroom walls? Explain why certain photos or images are special to you?

8. What does your character consider a luxury? A day at the spa? Box tickets for a game? Feeling safe? A snow day home from school? One more day? What obstacles keep your character from enjoying this luxury? Describe what you would consider a luxury. If it is something that you can treat yourself to once in a while, how does it make you feel? If it is something that is out of reach, how important is it that you eventually get to enjoy it?

9. What makes your character impatient or angry? How does he or she deal with anger? Does your character keep it bottled up to explode later over something insignificant? Let it all out right at the moment and then move on? Never really get angry? Count to 10? React with fists or words? What does it take to get a strong reaction from your character? Think about how you handle anger. How does it affect you and your relationships?

10. Do holiday festivals make you happy, or do they bring back sad memories, or do they do both? How do you deal with your holiday feelings? How do holidays affect your character?

11. Think about makes you laugh. Do you have a favorite comedian or TV show or movie? What makes the person or program so funny? What kind of humor appeals to you? Witty repartee? Slapstick? Farce? What makes your character laugh? One of the key rules of humor is, "Pain is funny." Do you think it's true? Why or why not?

12. How would you complete the following sentences? How would your characters complete the sentences? If I could be a kid again, I would ... ; If I could go back to one day in my life, I would ...; If I could have one good-bye over again, I would ....

13. What brings you comfort? A hug, the low vibration of a purring cat, fuzzy slippers and a favorite housecoat, ice cream, money in the bank, Jack Daniels? Explain why certain things make you feel comforted. Now answer the same question for your character.Have you ever wanted to get in your car or on a bus or train and just keep going? What is pulling you from where you are? What do you want to leave behind, if only for a while? What do you hope is ahead of you? What does your character think and do when he or she feels this way?

14. What makes your character stop and savor the moment? The peaty aroma of an Islay malt? A baby's smile? What special memory or feeling is evoked? How can this change of pace enhance your story and let the reader know your character better?

15. What has your character wasted in the past-money, time, a relationship, someone's trust? How does that event color what your character is doing today and how does it influence your character's choices? Answer the same question for yourself.

16. Ask your character the ten Bernard Pivot questions that James Lipton asks his guests on the Actor's Studio. For fun, ask yourself, too!

1. What is your favorite word?

2. What is your least favorite word?

3. What turns you on?

4. What turns you off?

5. What is your favorite curse word?

6. What sound or noise do you love?

7. What sound or noise do you hate?

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

9. What profession would you not like to do?

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

17. What is your character's greatest fear? If your character doesn't have one, create one and make sure that he or she has to face that fear at a critical time in your story. Think Indiana Jones and the snakes.

18. What is the one 'good-bye' that you said to a living person that you regret saying? Answer the same question for your character.

19. Does your character prefer to be alone or with a lot of people? What benefits does your character derive from being in his favorite situation? How does he cope when he must experience the opposite? Think of placing your character in his least favorite setting and add another level of conflict to whatever else is happening in the scene.

20. What food do you hate? Consider serving your character her most despised meal in a situation where she feels she actually has to eat it.

21. What place have you always wanted to visit? What attracts you to this place? What do you wish you could experience there? Answer these questions for your character.

22. Many mystery novelists hook readers with their expertise in a certain skill: gourmet cooking, knitting, quilting, showing dogs. Do you have or know about a special skill that could add an extra dimension to your character?

23. If your main character could choose to play a character in a play or movie, which character would he or she choose? Which character would you choose?

24. Write an opening paragraph in which your character comes into physical contact with someone or something.

25. Think about secrets. Make sure your character has some and imagine the kind of person he or she would trust with those secrets. How could that other person gain that trust? Why might that person betray that trust and tell the secret to someone else?

26. Send your characters on an adventure to a "land far, far away." Look through some old issues of National Geographic and imagine how your character would cope in a yurt, or in a market in Marrakesh or in a tent on the side of a mountain.

27. Begin your story with your character in motion-driving, running, flying, riding. What is your character running from? What is your character running to?

28. Your character loses a backpack/ purse/briefcase containing one thing that his or her future depends upon. What hapens next?

29. Think of the skills you have: putting up a tent, downhill skiing, solving crosswords, cooking. Add these skills and interests to your characters or make learning them essential for your main character's survival.

30. Elmore Leonard said, "I once named a character Frank Matisse, but he acted older than his age; and for some reason he wouldn't talk as much as I wanted him to. I changed his name to Jack Delany and couldn't shut him up." Try renaming one of your characters and see what happens.

31. How does your main character accept a compliment? What is your main character a little (a lot) vain about?

32. What does your character value the most? Is it an object like a ring or a photograph? Or is it a reputation for honesty or an influential position or the chance to find true love? How can you put what your character values most at serious risk in your story? What do you value most?

33. How concerned is your character about global warming and conservation? Does he or she recycle or have a garden or compost or drive a hybrid? How does this concern or lack of it affect day-to-day decisions and choices that your character makes?

34. If you could take back any words that you said, what would they be? Why would you want to take them back? What words would you character choose? Why?

35. Is your character a planner or is your character spontaneous? Is he or she happy when someone just drops by or only happy when visits are planned and prepared for?

36. How many times a day do you check your watch or phone for the time? Are you checking to see how much time has passed or how much is left? Do you manage time well or do things just get done when they get done? How do your story's characters feel about the passage of time?

37. Have you ever felt that you have 'burned your bridges' with a friend, family member, or employer? What happened? Has this happened to your character? What happened to him or her? How can this cause a complication in the story you are writing

38. How do you communicate with those you love? Do you call, or Skype, or text? Is it important to hear their voices or see their faces? Are words enough? How do your characters keep in touch? Is there anything they miss as they keep in touch?

39. When did you last see your best friend? Describe what you did and what you talked about. Why is this person so special to you? Answer the same questions for your character.

40. How have you felt when you faced a "significant" birthday? What thoughts when through your mind? What resolutions did you make for the next year, the next decade? Is age just a number for you? How does your character feel about his or her age or upcoming birthday?

41. When is the last time you cried? Describe what happened. Describe what happened the last time your character cried

42. What do you do/feel when you find out that you've been lied to? How does your character reactHow do you cope when you get a cold? Head for bed or work through it or ...? How does your character deal with being sick?

43. What represents stability to you? Do you value stability in your life or do you prefer to live with a lot of uncertainty? Why do you think you feel this way? Answer these questions for your character?

44. Do you prefer silence or noise when you work? Why? Answer the same questions for your character.

45. If your story were going to be filmed, who would star? Why would they be the best match for your characters?

46. Who is your favorite superhero or folk hero? Why is this person so compelling? Which super/folk hero is your character's favorite? Why?

47. What topic does someone have to introduce into a conversation for you to shut down? What topic do you never want to talk about? What topic causes this reaction in your character? Why?

48. What would be your favorite place to go for a walk? What would your five senses experience there? How does being in this place make you feel? Answer these questions for your character.

49. How do you feel when you are doing something that you don't want to do, or are spending time with people you don't like? How do you cope? How does your character feel in these situations?

50. If you could instantly fix anything in your life right now, what would it be? Would you change anything or have trouble picking just one thing? What would your character want to fix-nor not?

51. What strategies do you use to comfort a friend who is going through a bad time? What advice do you give or what do you say to help this person feel better? Is this something your character is good at, or does he or she try to avoid these moments as much as possible?

52. Describe in detail what is in your character's pockets or purse or backpack. Why does your character carry these things with him or her all the time?

53. What kind of driver are you? How do you feel about your car? Is it just a simple necessity or does it say a lot about who you are? Answer these questions for your character.

54. What's your favorite board or card game? Why do you enjoy it? Who are your favorite gaming partners? How competitive are you? Do you enjoy the game whether you win or lose? Answer these questions for your character.

55. What would you do with a large inheritance? What would your character do if he or she inherited a large sum of money?

56. If someone asked you to describe one happy moment from your childhood, what would it be? Would you have trouble choosing only one? Or would you have difficulty finding any to choose from? How would your character answer this question?

57. What would you do if you won the lottery? What would your character do?

CONNECT THE RANDOM WORDS-OR NOT!
For each group of words, freewrite around one, some or all of them to create a scene or a story or a poem:fire, light, field, lost, run, black
WRITING PROMPTS AND QUESTIONS DIALOGUE PROMPTS
Use these bare bones of dialogue to create a scene between two people. Add setting, character, action and emotion to fill in the gaps.

1) I'm so glad you made it.
How many people did you tell?
Why?
I was followed. I'm asking you again. How many people did you tell?
Just Terry. Just one.
One too man

2) I brought it, as you asked.
Thank you.
Thank you? That's not much of a response considering ...
Considering what?
Considering the cost

3) It's broken again.

Can't you fix it?

Not this time.

4) The sun's almost down. Won't be long now.
Why do we have to wait until it's dark?
Ask him when he gets here.
Are you ready?
Are you?

5) What do you mean you don't hear it?
Hear what?
Over there. Listen.
What am I supposed to be listening to?
You don't hear it?
No.
Then you'd better stay here.
Why?
Because I just heard my name.

6) You're late. I thought you weren't going to make it.
I nearly didn't.
Do you have it with you?
Yes.
Good.
Can we go now?

7) Are you ready?
Yes.
You're sure?
Yes.
You're not saying much.
There's no need.
You don't have to come.
I do. And you know it.

8) What are you doing?
What does it look like I'm doing?
Sorry. Forget it.
What do you want.
The book. It's on my list.
Help yourself, Bill.

9) Excuse me did you drop this?
No that's not mine.
I think it is.

10) "Come here and look at this!"

Kelly obediently peered over Mike's shoulder at the computer screen. "What am I supposed to be looking at?"

"Linc's Twitter account's been hacked."

"Yeah, so? Happens to lots of people. The message usually says that someone is saying bad things about you and gives you a link you're supposed to be stupid enough to click on. No one falls for it anymore. Linc knows what to do."

"This message is different." Mike pointed at the screen. "Look."

Kelly read the message to herself and then again out loud. "They're going to kill me. Help."

11) I think we're going in the wrong direction.

What did you say?

I said, I think we're going in the wrong direction.

You just might be right.

12) There's a storm coming.

Soon?

We have about an hour.

That should be long enough.

13)I think you need to reconsider.

Why?

Look behind you.

Oh.

14) I'm not going in there.

What's the problem?

It's dark and it stinks.

And?

Okay, I'm going in there.

15) I have to talk to you.

Why should I listen?

Because this time I'm not lying.

16) What's that in your hand?

Nothing.

It's not "nothing." Your hand is red.

17) I can't take another step.

I know. I'm tired, too.

You don't understand. I really can't take another step.

18) Whose car is that?

Hal's, I think. Why?

I've seen it before.

Oh. Where?

I'm not sure you want to know.

19) What's that?

I don't hear anything.

Shhh. Listen.

Oh. That's not good.

20) How'd it go?

The captain was less than impressed.

But did he believe you?

Yes. We're leaving in an hour.

21) What's so interesting? You've been staring out that window for the past hour.

Bill's late.

Wouldn't he call if he were going to be late?

Yes, if he could.

22) Did you get what you wanted?

Yes.

Then let's get out of here

23) The fire is out.

Don't look at me! I'm no boy scout.

I figured that out already. Just what are you?

24) Why do you keep staring at that painting?

I know who painted it.

Well, that's not difficult. His name is in the corner.

You don't understand. I know who really painted it.

25) Where are we?

I have no idea. But I do know one thing.

What's that?

It's not safe.

25) How did you get here?

Magic.

No. Really, how did you get here?

I think I'd better explain.

27) I wish it would stop raining.

You want to get back on the road, don't you?

Don't you?

28) Here. Catch.

What is it? It's really heavy.

That's not all it is

29) Did you hear about Henry?

No. What's new?

He's run away.

30)Please stop doing that.

Why?

It reminds me of someone.

Who?

Your brother.

31) I have to leave.

But, I need your help.

It's a bit late to ask.

32) We have to go.

But I like it here.

And I like staying alive.

33) Wilson has the answer.

Are you sure?

Yes. And I'm not the only one. That's why we need to get him out of here now.

34) "We need to find shelter."

"Yes, I'd figured that out."

35) "I can't take another step."

"I know. I'm tired, too.'

"You don't understand. I really can't take another step."

36) "Whose car is that?"

"Hal's, I think. Why?"

"I've seen it before."

"Oh. Where?"

"I'm not sure you want to know."

36) I wish you didn't have to leave.

I must obey the master.

37) Who are you waiting for?

Who says I'm waiting .... Okay, I'm waiting.

38) Did you see that car?

The grey one?

Yes. Did you see who was driving?

No, it was going too fast.

I'm not surprised. It just tried to run me down.

39) Pass me that will you?

What are you doing?

I'll let you know when I'm done.

40) I just heard from Henry.

And?

He's not coming.

Why?

He said you'd know.

41) I can't believe how hot it is.

You chose this place for our vacation.

Yeah, when I thought they'd have air conditioning.

42) Have you seen Henry?

No. Why?

He should be here by now.

43) Your secret is safe here, my lord.

And why should I believe you?

Because you are still alive.

44) Am I late? Did I miss the bus?
Yes, and yes.
Why did you wait for me?

45) I can't come. I've got work to do.
Look, it's just this once, and we won't be late.

46) Why did Henry choose to meet us here?
He said it would be safe.
You're joking, right?

47) Lord Henry doesn't trust us.
How can you tell.
His men are following us.

48) Oh no! My laptop's got some weird virus!
What's it doing?
My screen is blank except for three sets of numbers and the word help.
Let me see.

49) Are you sure we're going the right way?
These are the directions Henry gave me.
Was that before or after you had the fight?

50) Do you think Mrs. Wilson knows?
Knows what?
That Helen cheated.
We'll find out soon.

51) I saw Henry this morning.
But, I thought he said he was leaving last night.
That's what he wanted us to think.

52) Why do we have to meet on the bridge?
What's the matter? Scared?
I've got every reason to be.

53) You guys are fighting over a book?
You don't know what's in it.

54) When do you think she'll be done?
She finished an hour ago.
Then why isn't she here yet?

55) I'm not ready to go.
Well, when will you be ready?
How about never.

56) But Chris is Henry's best friend!
He didn't behave like it this morning.

57) Don't bother explaining it again. I'll never get it.
But it could save your life.
That's what you're here for.
And what if I'm not here?

59) Turn on the light.
I did-and I checked the bulb. There's no power.
That's not good.

60) Why did you leave Harry?
I didn't. He left me.
That's not what he said.

61) I'm sorry for your loss, Helen.
Believe me. It was no loss.
But how can you say that?

62) I thought robots were supposed to do what they were told.
Not when they're told something stupid.

63) What's in the bag?
Groceries.
The stores closed an hour ago.
Okay then. I liked.

64) Have you ever seen any creatures so disgusting.
No.
Should I say something?
You should say, thank-you. They saved our lives remember.
STORY TITLES
Use one of these titles for a story or poem:

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I've created an online, 5-day creative writing program called Writing Camp for Teens. The program contains five activity bundles with writing-centered exercises, crafts, resources, and the odd field trip. You will have enough writing prompts to last a long time. There are options that include email coaching or a critique of your story.

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I picked up this bag at Michaels for $1 and

these for .59 each(I bought around 15 of them)

Our story always begins with Once upon a time and then we draw a piece (without looking)and we start to tell our story. Every person adding to it as we draw new pieces. My children loved it and could have done it for hours, literally!

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I picked up this bag at Michaels for $1 and these for .59 each(I bought around 15 of them) Our story always begins with Once upon a time and then we draw a piece (without looking)and we start to tell our story. Every person adding to it as we draw new pieces.

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A few years ago I became a part-time student and enrolled in a master's course called Writing Instruction.The professor took a unique approach by having us, a group of English teachers, write our own poetry and fiction.It was an eye-opener.I realized that somewhere between high school and my first teaching job, I forgot the lonely and uneasy feeling of staring at a blank page, not knowing where to begin.
When the professor allowed us to work with another teacher on the next writing piece, there was a sense of comfort in that I had someone to discuss, collaborate, and share ideas with.Collaborative writing not only broke down my reserve and hesitation, but also allowed me to foster a relationship of trust and partnership with my co-author. I wanted to bring this experience into my own classroom, so I made a point to allow more opportunities for students to write creatively with a partner or a group.Try 5 of my favorite engaging, low-prep collaborative writing activities that you can use in your class tomorrow.

Snowball writing is an activity that your middle and high school students will always remember. It can be used with almost any writing genre and is highly-engaging for even your most reluctant writers. I use this method for , , descriptive, and writing. I even use it as anintroductory icebreaker activity during back-to-school or a semester change!

- One student starts the writing process for a timed period decided by the teacher.

- When time is up, the teacher tells students to crumple up their work into a "snowball" and throw it somewhere else in the room. Get ready to see lots of confused faces .

- Students retrieve one of the snowballs, smooth out the paper, and continue the writing process! (Tip: have students use a pen to make the writing easier to read for the next student)

This process is repeated as needed.When all parts are completed, the paper goes back to the original writer who creates a final copy. If you want to know more about how I use this for narrative writing, read this detailed blog post that gives the step-by-step process in more detail.

Have your students write a descriptive paragraph using vivid imagery with an activity called Shared Sensory Writing.

- Put students into groups of three and give them an object to describe.

- As a group, they decide which of the 3 senses they will focus on (sight, taste, smell, touch, hearing).Each person is assigned a sense, and they write a short paragraph describing the object based only on the sense they receive.

- The group combines elements from each of the paragraphs to create a final descriptive piece. Download this activity for FREE by clicking here -->
Shared Sensory Writing

One of the challenging parts of creative fictional writing is developing the story elements that will form the plot. Use the graffiti fiction brainstorming technique as a way for students to work together to spark fictional writing.

- Set up 4 chart-paper stations around the room with the following titles: Conflicts, Character Traits, Settings, and Themes.Break the class up into 4 groups and have each group go to one of the stations.

- The group members work together to "graffiti" the page with potential conflicts, character traits, settings, and themes that could emerge in a fictional story.I fill in a couple of my own examples to get them started.

- Have each group spend 3-4 minutes filling the chart paper up with their ideas.Then, have them all circulate to the next station to repeat the process.

- When they are done, have each student select one character trait, conflict, setting, and theme from the graffitied pages to develop a unique narrative.You can choose to have them write independently or with a partner.

Tapestry poetry was developed by Avril Meallem (of Israel) and Shernaz Wadia (of India). The two women started writing tapestry poetry collaboratively via email. The form consists of two authors writing a 9-line poem based on the same title, and then working together to meld it into one seamless finished product.

- Put your students into pairs (or let them choose a partner).

- Have one of the students select a title for the poem.This student who selects the title is the only one who has the option of using it in the poem (to avoid repetition).

- Both students write a 9-line poem.

- When they are done, the pair works together to interlace the poem into one. All 18 lines must be included.Students are permitted to make grammatical changes (singular to plural, verb tenses etc.), and adjustments to adjectives and adverbs, but the majority of the poems should remain the same. Download this activity for
FREE by clicking here --> Tapestry Poetry

Sketch and scribble writing is meant to be used with descriptive/narrative writing and will particularly appeal to those artistic students in your classroom.

- Have students form a group of three.Give each of the students a picture as a writing prompt. The picture prompts below are the ones I use. The images should allow them to use a narrative voice to describe a scene. They should keep the prompt hidden from the other members of the group.

- Once the time is up, each student passes the writing to another student in the group who will read it and draw the scene based on the description (no words allowed).

- When the drawings are done, they are given to the final student who must write a paragraph based on the drawing.In the end, have students compare and contrast the drawings to the original picture writing prompt as well as the two pieces of writing.

Want even more ideas for collaborative writing? Check out these activities from some of the other Secondary English Coffee Shop bloggers!
Tandem Writing from The SuperHERO Teacher
Group Writing Challenges from Room 213
Two Truths and a Lie from Secondary Sara
Round Robin Writing from Nouvelle ELA

Have other ideas for collaborative writing? Click the comment button at the top of the post to join the conversation!

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A few years ago I became a part-time student and enrolled in a master's course called Writing Instruction.The professor took a unique approach by having us, a group of English teachers, write our own poetry and fiction.It was an eye-opener.I realized that somewhere between high school and my first teaching job, I forgot the lonely and uneasy feeling of staring at a blank page, not knowing where to begin.

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Writing comes fairly easily to me as an adult. But trying to teach writing in our homeschool is a different story. Writing is such a personal endeavor. Whether you're an adult or a child it takes lots of courage to put yourself out there with written words on a page. We've been through two writing programs and may not have found the perfect fit even yet.

No matter what writing program we are working through one thing is for sure. We write a lot. We do free writes, write letters and lists, write about books, and keep journals. Basically any excuse for my kids to take pen to paper and I'm there. My kids knowing how to write, and write well, is one of my top priorities as a home school mama.

"Just keep writing, just keep writing, just keep writing...."

(Do I have you all humming a certain theme song about now?!?)

So if we're gonna fit all this writing in it's got to be fun, right? I have my little arsenal of ways we make writing fun at our house. (Click here to see all the ways we use inexpensive blank books to make writing special.) Printables like these make an awesome addition to blank books. We use rubber cement and paste those babies right in.

My kids actually love working that way because it relieves the stress of "ruining" a page of their special book. They work on their page and only paste it into their book once they are satisfied!

How do these comic book templates fit into your writing program?

I made these comic book template printables to go along with the idea of teaching sequence in writing. I have one child especially that is very spatially oriented. Seeing his paper divided up into spaces allows him to work through the sequence of his story or directions.

This same child loves graphic novels. Allowing him to write in a way that mimics the literature that he currently loves seems like a great way to inspire a love of writing.

And...they are just fun. Making learning fun is kinda a homeschool mantra. Ammiright?

Just for fun....

One thing I've learned as a home school mama is not everything has to be a "lesson." Don't ask me how long it took me to pick up on that. I tried sooo hard to fit learning in every nook and cranny of the day that I sucked the wonder right out of it.

Let kids play and they learn along the way. Sometimes no lesson (or meddling mom) is needed.

If you're kids love to draw and write don't miss these free printable journaling pages. Two ten page PDF's are available for free- with elementary and college lined paper!

These pages are free- print them out and let your kids take the lead!

Subscribe below to get your free six page comic book templates printable!

Upon receiving your confirmation of subscription you will get a subscriber only password to my Free Resource Library. Enter that password and you'll get access to these comic book templates in easy to print PDF form and dozens of other art and education printables- all free!

Print away with these free comic book templates.

If you enjoy these comic book templates please share, pin, tweet, or whatever social media makes your heart flutter!

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Comic Book Templates in Homeschool Writing - The Kitchen Table Classroom

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Writing comes fairly easily to me as an adult. But trying to teach writing in our homeschool is a different story. Writing is such a personal endeavor. Whether you're an adult or a child it takes lots of courage to put yourself out there with written words on a page.

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For those who are new to theater, a 10-minute play is a short story that lasts no more than 10 minutes long. It usually is a vignette in a series of plays at a festival or competition and offers a great way to practice writing for theater. Below, you'll learn how to write a 10-minute play and tips for starting out.

Requirements of a 10-Minute Play

Stick to 10-minutes

This is a fairly simple rule to understand, but when you're writing a 10-minute play, you actually must stick to the 10 minutes allotted to you. You wouldn't ignore a word count rule for a short story, so neither should you ignore a time limit for a play.

As a writer, the timing is somewhat beyond your control if you are not also directing your piece, as the speed at which lines are said can change the pace of your story. However, to make sure you're on target when writing, be sure to read each draft out loud with a timer on hand.

( I mean it. Your story really has to be 10-minutes long if you want to have a chance anywhere!)

Create a story with an arc

It might seem obvious that you should write a story with an arc of some sort, but often what can happen in 10-minute plays is that you'll end up writing a sketch instead of play. While the difference is minute, a sketch tends to be working towards a punchline, even in dramatic instances, whereas a play has an arc to either the story or character.

Often a play can have something similar to a punchline called the climax, but that isn't what the story is completely working towards. Instead, the climax just marks the apex of the story, not what the story has been working towards. The action following the climax is equally as important to understanding the story, whereas in a sketch, the punchline is the end of the narrative.

Additionally, in sketches, there is no character development or purpose to the story besides the punchline. For a play, even characters do not change, there is a realization or arc to the narrative beyond this final point.

How to Write a 10-Minute Play

When writing a 10-minute play, any method can be used to brainstorm the standard parts of any story, such as the character, world, and so forth. For best results, focus your brainstorm for a 10-minute play on the same things you would for a short story.

Whether you do these things before you begin writing your play or after, is up to your short story writing approach. However you do it though, you'll want to stick to the following how-to:

1. Ask a question

According to Sam Graber, every 10-minute play should ask a question. This truly goes for any play in my opinion, but it is something to keep in mind when writing a 10-minute play as it helps you avoid writing a sketch.

Your play can ask any sort of question. It can be a simple one, such as "What would happen if someone found their true love two months before their death?" to something more ambiguous like "Is loyalty good?"

Whatever you ask, make this the thesis of your play. It will give your play purpose, keep your story focused, and reveal many other important things like your story's theme and motifs.

2. Develop your character, conflict, and setting.

This isn't new information. For any story you write, you'll have to develop these things. After you've asked the main question of your 10-minute play, you'll want to flesh out character, setting, and the conflict that derives from your question.

For theater, character is extremely important as the entire is communicated by people. There isn't a camera for editing, language for someone to read and process, but raw human connection between the actors and the audience.

Because of this, you'll really want to focus on character first and foremost. Develop at least one complex character to intrigue your audience, then if you get stuck, movie on to the conflict that is rooted in your story. After developing that, you can then focus on setting, but know that given the constraints of theater, setting is often attributed to the imagination of the actors and audience, so fleshing out minute details for a 10-minute play may only be helpful for your own brainstorming.

3. Skip exposition

As we've emphasized, you only have 10 minutes-and not a second more-in your 10-minute play. Given this time constraint, you'll need to skip exposition of any kind to get to the center of your story. While you may be tempted to slip it in with a few lines of dialogue, it really isn't worth the time you'll lose. When you could be pushing the narrative forward, you'll be wasting precious seconds talking about something that the audience likely doesn't need to know.

Keep in mind that in short fiction and even short films, exposition often makes up a few sentences or paragraphs, or the opening shot. But in short fiction, the reader dictates the pace of the story, so there is room for creative exposition and a slower narrative. For short films, you should stray away from exposition, but occasionally films may introduce them because they aren't in time crunch.

But in a 10-minute play, you are bound to that time limit. While many short films would be better without exposition, you really cannot afford in a 10-minute play to waste any time on exposition. If you feel that exposition is necessary in any way, then you may have a full-length play instead of a 10-minute one. In which case, this guide is no longer of use to your narrative.

4. Introduce the conflict quickly

Just because you skip the exposition, doesn't mean you should take your time introducing the conflict. Introduce the conflict as soon as possible so the audience knows why they're following your story right away.

You don't have to introduce it in the first line of dialogue, but ideally in the first minute of the page, the second minute at the latest. Even if you have a more subtle conflict that audience members can't pick up on right away, it's still essential that you introduce the conflict as soon as possible. It's a part of answering the question you asked before you began writing, which brings me to...

5. Use the play to answer the question you asked

Your entire play should work to answer the question you asked before you even started your script. This could mean a resounding climax for some stories, or it could mean something more subtle and haunting. Whatever it is, every page, every line, every movement of your play should seek to somehow answer the question you asked at the beginning.

When editing future drafts, look at each part and ask yourself how the piece answers the question. If it doesn't answer the question, rewrite it so that it does or scrap it all together. With only 10 minutes, every single part of your story must answer the question you asked when you began this play.

Tips for Writing a 10-Minute Play

Get creative and take risks

One of the most exciting parts of writing a 10-minute play is the experimentation you can easily incorporate into your story. It can be in a draft, or in the piece itself, but given that you have such a short time, you can really get creative and take risks without wasting tons of time.

So, if it's your first time writing a 10-minute play, don't stress about getting things right, but instead, let your imagination take over and do things you usually wouldn't think to do. The worst that can happen is you'll have to rewrite the piece, and that will only consist of 10-15 pages.

Cut out extraneous details

It's called a 10-minute play. Unlike a short story, there is an actual time limit to this piece, so cut out anything that isn't relevant to your story. This could be a side character, a scene, or a line of dialogue. Once you've written your script, look at it with a critical eye and treat every detail of your story like a choice. Ask yourself if it answers your main question you posited at the beginning of this post, and if it doesn't, cut it out.

Use action to add depth

Avoid telling the entire story with dialogue alone. You have living, breathing people on stage who can use their bodies, their movement, their expressions to tell even more. Make your story more efficient and jam-pack it with more information by adding in action that signals deeper meanings.

Make sure your idea is meant for a 10-minute play

This is a big problem you'll find in short stories of all types, be it film, fiction, or playwriting. You think you have a great idea for a short story, and then suddenly realize you've tried to cram a three-act story into a short story.
It doesn't work.
If you are running into continuous issues with your 10-minute play, it may be worth evaluating whether your story is for a short play or a full-length play. If you aren't sure, take a look at what makes a short story (be it fiction, film, or so forth) different.

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How to Write a 10-Minute Play - E.M. Welsh

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If you're new to playwriting and want to practice playwriting, there is no better way than to learn how to write a 10-minute play. Not only is the piece short and sweet, but it makes it easy to practice over and over without wasting time.

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Preparing for NaNoWriMo or Camp NaNoWriMo? | creative writing blog

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If you're preparing for NaNoWriMo or Camp NaNoWriMo, or you're in the thick of the action, I have some novel-saving writing resources for you! A Month Before NaNoWriMo Follow the Preptober Calendar. Print out your Novel in a Month Notebook. Pick a plot formula. Make a list of things you love in novels.

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I am not a creative writer and so I sympathize with kids who find writing poems to be difficult. These poetry projects are good writing prompts for those of us ( like me!) who need ideas in order to get started.

April is National Poetry Month and the kids and I have been even more gung-ho about celebrating that we usually are. We've been reading poetry every day as part of the Poetry Reading Challenge, and my 5 year old has even memorized Jabberwocky. ( I have been reciting it from memory every night at bedtime.)

What we have yet to do this month, however, is sit down and purposefully write poetry.* UPDATE: We spent a month reveling in poetry writing! Laugh yourself silly while joining in this Poetry Writing Challenge to learn to write poetry the easy way; it can be done anytime of the year. Since I don't want my kids to grow up thinking of creative writing as a chore, so I've gathered together some simple, low-pressure ideas that we can start out with.

MY LATEST VIDEOS

Stay tuned to see which type of poem we decide to tackle as our poetry writing project! (Note: This post contains affiliate links.)

Poetry Writing Ideas for Kids

Write poetry using magnetic words. We have a set of really big magnetic poetry words and the boys love them. It helps take the pressure off writing to have a selection of words to chose from.

Write an "I'm so smart" poem. I think my 9 year old might like this idea a little too much. (Let's Explore)
*Do your kids write poetry? Poetry books for inspiration: Need more convincing? I just realized New Kid did write a poem of sorts for his homemade pop up book!

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Poetry Writing for Kids: 14 Creative Ideas

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I am not a creative writer and so I sympathize with kids who find writing poems to be difficult. These poetry projects are good writing prompts for those of us ( like me!) who need ideas in order to get started.

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New Creative Writing Prompts for Tweens - Help your students understand the importance and value of their own ideas with these creative writing prompts for tweens.

The preteen years can be a difficult time for students. As they navigate the space between being children and becoming teenagers, preteens often deal with important issues about identity and responsibility. At the same time, they still enjoy silliness and opportunities to let loose. Through regular writing and journaling, students get to do both of these things at the same time.

These 59 new creative writing prompts - and journal prompts - play somewhere in the boundary between childhood and the teenage years. Tweens will think about important issues like bullying and acceptance in the classroom and American celebrity culture-issues that give them the chance to reflect and examine their own beliefs. However, they'll also get to indulge in lighthearted and fun questions about first crushes and hanging out with friends.

Through journaling and writing, students explore each aspect of their personalities. There's no need to limit individuality to a particular characteristic or philosophy when there are so many possibilities available. A student can try on a new thought for a day or explore a concept from someone else's perspective. When students are growing into their future selves, this type of limitless potential is invaluable.

Creative Writing Prompts for Tweens | 59 Fun Ideas

1. How do you deal with peer pressure?

2. What is your greatest wish?

3. Would you rather be rich or famous?

4. How do you use money? Do you tend to spend or save?

5. What are your favorite types of books? Why?

6. Do you like to take risks?

7. How closely do you follow current events?

8. If you could invent anything, what would it be?

9. Describe how you met a goal. How did you feel afterward?

10. What does friendship mean?

11. If you could instate any law, what would you choose?

12. What causes are important to you?

13. How will you choose a high school?

14. Do you think you will go to college? What will you study?

15. How much time do you spend each day on homework?

16. What is your favorite thing to do with your friends?

17. Describe a time when you were jealous. How did you feel? Did you overcome it?

18. What do you want to do when you grow up?

19. Who do you want to be when you grow up?

20. What do you look forward to doing as a teenager?

21. What is your favorite way to learn?

22. Where do you go when you need space to think?

23. Describe yourself in 10 words. Why did you choose these words?

24. If you wrote a book about your life, what stories would it include?

25. What does it mean to bully someone?

26. How can we promote acceptance in our classroom?

27. What is the best thing about being a kid?

28. What is the worst feeling you've ever had?

29. Why is learning important?

30. Does art appeal to you? Why or why not?

31. What is the craziest dream you've ever had?

32. Write about a time when you were scared, but everything turned out okay in the end.

33. Write about something that other people don't know about you.

34. How do advertisements affect you?

35. What kinds of pressures do kids and teens have today?

36. Write about something you believe in.

37. Write about a time when you were embarrassed.

38. How do you divide your time?

39. What is the greatest lesson you've ever learned?

40. What do you think about the way Americans care about celebrities?

41. Who are the people in your support network? How do they make you feel?

42. How do you help other people?

43. Do you prefer listening to music or watching movies?

44. How has your relationship with your parents changed as you've gotten older?

45. What is something that makes you proud?

46. What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends?

47. Imagine a day spent living in someone else's shoes. What challenges would you experience?

48. What do you think high school will be like?

49. What is the most important subject in school?

50. Do you think that dreams have any significance?

51. Write a poem about something you've learned.

52. Do people listen to you when you talk?

53. What is the farthest you've ever traveled?

54. Do you prefer to spend time inside or outside?

55. Write about your first crush. How did he or she make you feel?

56. How does it feel when you stop talking with old friends?

57. Would you ever consider studying as an exchange student?

58. Have you ever tried an unusual sport or food? How did you feel afterward?

59. What does happiness feel like? Describe it using each of the five senses.

Until next time, write on...
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I appreciate it!

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New Creative Writing Prompts for Tweens - Help your students understand the importance and value of their own ideas with these creative writing prompts for tweens. The preteen years can be a difficult time for students. As they navigate the space between being children and becoming teenagers, preteens often deal with important issues about identity and responsibility.