Our Celebration!

Don't forget our celebration next Friday, June 16 at 9-12pm. Meet us in front of the Central Library.

Our Anthology

Here's the address for our Anthology. Please visit!

http://youngauthorscampanthology2006.blogspot.com/

Our Last Day?

Can you believe it? It seemed like just yesterday---not Monday---when we first met!

Let me just say how impressed I am by all of you. You are such intelligent and creative students.

It is my deepest hope that you continue to allow yourself time to write, think, and create. Trust me. This is sometimes easier said than done, but you owe it to yourself to keep writing.

I want to thank each and every one of you for allowing me to teach you and learn from you this week.

You've made this a very special experience for me.

I hope I am able to continue to enjoy your writing. I'm only an email and a blog away.


Thank you again for everything,
Miss Q

Don't Forget these Blogging Rules

Here are some friendly reminders to getting the most out of your blog:

1) For security reasons, do not use your last name anywhere in your blog.

2) Remember that updating your blog may take a few minutes so be patient, and check back later.

3) Use netiquette.

4) When commenting on writing, please use the Group Response Guidelines we discussed.

5) Stay safe: only allow invited members to view your blog.

BEAT Writers' Block

1. Have another person make up a title, and you write a poem, story, play, etc. that goes with that title.

2. Open the dictionary, and use that word as an inspiration to the story.

3. Create word banks: have your writer friends write down 10 of their favorite words. Cut them up and put them in a box. Shake the box and pick a word or words. Use the word(s) in your writing.

4. the Best way to prepare for TAKS Testing: Write more often, use description, concentrate voice...

5. Brainstorm and always write down ideas even if you don't use it at that time, you can use it later.

6. Listen to music, and respond to what you hear.

7. Read a famous quotation and use it as a starting point.

8. Write about your favorite things or your least favorite things.

9. Read a story or book-----this can serve as a good starting point.

10. Study things that you are interested in and write about it!!

11. Think of anything or ask someone.

12. Use your imagination.

13. Look on the computer for ideas.

14. Make a continuation or prequel of a piece you have already written.

15. Look at the name on paint swatches for inspiring names and words.

Young Authors' Camp Evaluation

Please visit the link below to complete the Camp Evaluation:

Click here to take survey

Many Thanks!

Post-Camp Survey

Please visit the link below to complete the survey. Don't forget to hit "DONE" to submit your answers.

Click here to take survey

Thanks!

Elements of Story

Don't forget to try and include all of these in your wonderful stories:

Elements of Story

1. A beginning, a middle, and an end

2. Setting: a description of where it is and when it is

3. Characters: qualities
Good and a bad

4. Plot: what is it about?

5. Dialogue

6. Problems/surprises/conflict/solves the problem/resolution

DESCRIPTION, DESCRIPTION, DESCRIPTION, DESCRIPTION

Let us feel like we're there!

Cracking Open a Sentence Together

Here was our seemingly EMPTY sentence:

Yesterday, it was hot.

Here is our joint effort on cracking this open:

Yesterday was the hottest day of the summer. I felt like my mind was going to boil. The sun was beating my head. I put on aloe vera lotion to try to cool off. I smelled the nasty scent of the suntan lotion. It was
stickier than honey.

Cracking Open Empty Sentences

Empty Sentences:
1. I was angry.
2. I had a great day.
3. She was mad at me.
4. The weather was bad.
5. She’s a nice person.
6. She’s beautiful.
7. It was fun.
8. The food was good.
9. He’s strong.
10. I was sad.
11. The roller coaster was exciting.
12. I like computer games.
13. My dog is cute.

Pre-Camp Survey

Please complete the following survey by visiting the link below. Do not forget to hit "Done" to submit your responses.


Click here to take survey

Thanks,
Miss Q

Response Guidelines

APPROPRIATE, CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS

• Be respectful and considerate of the writer's feelings.

• Use "I" statements.

• Offer suggestions, not commands.

• Raise questions from a reader's point of view, points that may not have occurred to the writer.

• Phrase comments clearly and carefully so that the writer can easily understand what needs to be improved.

• Make sure comments are constructive and specific (not "This paper is confusing. It keeps saying the same things over and over again" but rather "It sounds like paragraph five makes the same point as paragraphs 2 and 3.").

• Avoid turning the writer's paper into YOUR paper.

Final tip: Although it might not be on the feedback form, you can always ask the writer if there is something he or she wants you to comment specifically on in the paper.

Camp Expectations

Here are some guidelines for all of us to follow to help us make the most of this week:

1. Be respectful of one another.

2. If you need a drink of water or need to use the bathroom, please raise your hand and ask Mrs. Sanders or Miss Q.

3. When an author is reading or an instructor is teaching, please pay full attention and do not type on your keyboard.

4. We are very lucky to be in this room. Please keep it clean. Treat the equipment as if it belonged to your own family. We want to be invited back, don't we?

5. Complete all homework. We want to be able to have an anthology at the end of this camp so we need to keep up with the writing and not get behind.

6. At the end of the session, put away all supplies. Give your name badges back to Mrs. Sanders or Miss Q. Wait to be escorted to the pick-up point.

7. Don't be afraid to ask questions!

8. Help out your fellow campers.

9. Have FUN!!

Welcome!

I cannot tell you how excited I am for you to join us this week. I hope we all learn more about writing, responding, and publishing our works on the web. In a moment you will learn or review how to create you own blog. Let the fun begin!

Miss Q