How to Lead a Writing Workshop for Kids

It’s not always easy to keep young writers motivated and excited about the craft. But a writing workshop can provide general or genre-specific information to help young writers better learn the tools of writing. Properly selected, a workshop can provide the needed inspiration and mentoring for the young writer to fulfill short- and long-term goals. Such workshops often challenge attendees to write, market and publish their materials. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer and paper for making lesson plans and handouts

1. Introduce the art and craft of writing to the young reader. Explain the writing as well as the revision process. Talk about how to identify your target readers, how to write your story in the proper format and how to hook the reader with a strong beginning.

2. Rule one of writing is "show, don’t tell." Explain the reason behind the concept. Talk about how to recognize telling words and change them to showing ones. Using narration for pacing and rhythm, narrative descriptions.

3. Talk about characterization. Empowering the child to develop complex, rounded characters. Understanding characters through description, interior monologue and dialogue as well as through action. Talk about the function of other characters, of the antagonist and of minor characters. Explain how to get the most from them.

4. Talk about how to choose a point of view for a story. Explain the differnt types they can use.

5. Explain how conflict propels a story. Talk about how to construct that problem, for example, with an internal monologue.

6. Talk about how to plot stories through scenes. Explain the definition of plot and what it must accomplish. Show samples of character-driven plots and identify plot points. Talk about how to write transitions between scenes. Explain the function and effect of back-story and flashbacks.

7. Discuss the importance of a story's ending.

8. Keep your young writers writing. Tell them that 10 percent of writing is inspiration or talent; the other 90 percent is hard work. Persistence will keep you writing.

Tips & Warnings

• Tell your students that the only way to get started writing is to write. Having a thousand good ideas in your head is no good; you have to get them on paper. Just sit down and do it.

Resources

• a good place to read what kids think about the books they
• Society of Childrens Writers is always a good resource