Skip to main content

40 Orange School Children get to write with author Dawn Meredith

Hey guys!

I just got back from Orange NSW where I ran writing workshops for 40 children in years 4,5 & 6 from 9 different schools. What a fabulous bunch of kids! they ALL produced amazing work and had fun doing it.

In session one we talked about how a book is created and the publishing process, how illustrators and authors work together, how long it takes for a book to be released.

We workshopped on creating fun and random characters, how each character must have a dearest wish (motivation) and push through obstacles to make it come true. We talked about plot and character arcs. We speculated about 'evil dudes' and some of the ideas that came up were truly creepy!

 Then in session two we worked on proofreading and editing, what makes a sentence a real sentence and how to create a 'hook' in the very first line of the story. We filled in more details on the character profile sheet and began writing the real thing.



 I was so impressed with how well behaved the students were and the quality of the writing they produced. I'm really looking forward to reading the finished stories! Then I shall put them up on this blog.

I had the best time and loved it! Thanks for having me as your guest author. Thanks to The Australian Society of Authors and Karen Brill at Pre2 Learning for a well-run day.
cheers, Dawn

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wonderstruck - the sequel to Hugo Cabret

Middle Grade Readers Wonderstruck, by Brian Selznick, ( Scholastic Inc) HB rrp $34.99 Reviewed by Dawn Meredith. ISBN9780545027893 This review appeared in Buzzwords Ezine for children's writers It’s 2:47am and I’ve just finished reading Wonderstruck . I couldn’t put it down. I had to read it all in one sitting. To hell with work the next day! I fell in love with Selznick’s debut novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, #1 New York Times children’s bestseller and winner of the 2008 Caldecott Medal among countless other awards. The 3D movie, Hugo Cabret, is due for release in 2012. I didn’t think it would be possible to produce something better, but this book captured me from the very first page. The simplicity of the dialogue and uncomplicated style belies a complex criss-crossing web of emotions and unresolved conflict, exploring themes of struggle with identity, the meaning of family, modern attitude to marriage and children, friendship and loneliness and courage. So many aspects ...

Tall Ships leave Sydney Harbour - Chilean ship The Esmeralda

I was privileged to be aboard the tugboat 'Bronzewing' the other week, when the Chilean tall ship, The Esmeralda, left Sydney Harbour. In order for our own tall ship, "The James Craig' to maneuver, she needs a tug, so we went along for the ride on a rather historic day. The weather was perfect! Conditions, calm. And we were lucky to have a naval artist onboard, Jane Bennett, who worked tirelessly the whole cruise to capture moments of sky and sail so beautifully. more of Jane's paintings here How fantastic to be in the presence of two spectacular ships of yesteryear, powered (mostly) by sail. The James Craig is owned, maintained and operated for harbour tours and longer treks around the Australian coastline by The Sydney Heritage Fleet , a volunteer organisation run completely on donations. The Esmeralda is used by the Chilean Navy to train their recruits and has an active social life. Enjoy my pics!  cheers, Dawn Esmeralda (c) Dawn Meredith Esmeralda (...

ZENA SHAPTER'S new book INTO TORDON out now!!!

My gorgeous friend and colleague Zena Shapter has a new book out, one that's a LOT different to most - it had NINE authors. She is my guest today. :-) So, tell me about “Into Tordon”? “Into Tordon” follows two online gamers on an adventure that’s out of this world! It’s a middle grade novel for 8-14 year olds, set in a slightly futuristic Australia, and there are dangerous creatures, exotic cultures, scientific impossibilities, riddles, advanced technology and challenges. Our two main characters, Beth and Zane, must face them all to survive! Sounds like a wild ride! Nine of you wrote “Into Tordon” together. That sounds like a wild ride too. How did nine authors write a book together? With patience and understanding! When writing collaboratively with so many people, you have to leave your ego at the door and contribute as much as you can with enthusiasm and a good spirit, knowing full well that your actual contribution is likely to go unnoticed once the book is...