- (10 minutes)
Brainstorm all the things that YOU know about.
If you know about football write it down. Your dog. Write it down. The gap under your bed – write it down. The chickens out the back. Write it down. Skateboarding – write it down.
- (2 minutes)
NOW CHOOSE one that you are going to write about. It can be anything BUT it must be something you know a lot about. Skip a few lines and write it on a line by itself.
(8 minutes)
- Now extend your brainstorm. We do this by writing things that can go wrong in the situation you have chosen. E.g. My dog gets stuck under the house. The chickens escape. I am skateboarding and can’t stop. I have not been chosen to play in the grand final.
(8 minutes)
- Now write underneath it 3 reasons why you HAVE TO SOLVE THIS (The magic number is 3)
E.g. They are dad’s special prize winning chickens. I think the chickens lay golden eggs. The chickens are my only friends in the world.
E.g. My grandfather is travelling here to see me play. I have been boasting to everyone that I am playing. I want to show off to a girl who is coming along to watch the game.
(8 minutes)
- Now write 3 ways this problem gets worse.
E.g. the chickens are flying. I have to work so I can’t go looking for them. I find feathers on the ground and the neighbours’ dogs are missing as well.
E.g. The coach hates me. My white footy outfit has turned pink in the wash. The school bully who hates my guts is on the other team.
(8 minutes)
- Now the fun part – work out a finish to the story.
You now have the outline for a magnificent story. Go, go, go! Write and love it. (45 minutes)