18: Write a story!
I love the fact that, however a story starts, there are millions and millions of possible middles and just as many potential endings.
I have used the opening of my only non-rhyming book, Jamie and the Joke Factory, as the starting-point for writing activities in a number of schools: ‘Jamie was SO excited! He was going on a surprise outing with Grandad!’
At this time of lockdown, I think it would be fun to write a story about a surprise outing. Why don’t you have a go? Use my first line as the first line of your own story.
I’d love to see how different your story is from mine – you can email a photo to petarainford@gmail.com, post it on my Peta Rainford’s Facebook page @dogpigeon, or Tweet me @PetaRainford
Top tip: decide what type of story you want to write before you start: is it set in a ‘real life’ situation, or a fantasy world? Is it exciting/scary or madcap/funny? Or all of those things?!
Then think about the following:
- Where is Jamie when he starts his outing? Who is he with?
- Is it just Jamie and Grandad that go on the outing, or do other people/animals/things go with them?
- What is the surprise?
- What happens when they get there (something funny, exciting or scary)?
- How do Jamie and Grandad get home?
TOP TOP TIP: BE AS IMAGINATIVE AS POSSIBLE!
What are you waiting for?
