Suzy's Writing Corner - Lesson 7- Freeze the Scene!

Reach for the Stars! Writing Workshop for Kids

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Suzy's Writing Corner

Welcome to my writing workshop for budding young authors. Learn how to create your characters and "show don't tell" their feelings. Write beginnings that "hook" your readers. Learn to use a "writing camera" to freeze a scene, and more! Download free worksheets. Click LESSON 1 on the left sidebar to begin.
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Sep. 6, 2007

Lesson 7- Freeze the Scene!

First of all, here is the original picture I use when "describing" my awesome, fantastic, really cool ship to the kids in my writing workshop classes. From my description, were you able to draw this ship? Does your ship look anything like this ship? Why not? Because I did not use words on the worksheet that helped you "see" this ship!

Are you painting pictures for your readers to see? How is your list of "dead" words coming? Add more as you come across them in books that you read. Yes...even published authors use dead words sometimes! Nothing can kill a good story faster than dead words--words that mean nothing. But here's the good news: as long as you show something with a dead word, it gives life to it. Example: "The roar of the train was loud." Loud is the dead word. "The roar of the train was as loud as thunder." This example gives life to the dead word and paints a better picture.

This week we are going to concentrate on using our Writing Camera.

You know what a camera does, don't you? As soon as you push the button, the scene freezes, and you've captured a picture of that scene. That's what your writing camera should do, too. You want to take a "snapshot" and draw your reader's attention to important characters, settings, and objects in your story.
WARNING: Don't go crazy with your camera and take a "picture" of every little thing! This slows down the action. I get bored and skip description when it goes on and on. For example, "The little girl dashed, hurried, skipped, and jumped down the long, narrow, tree-lined, two-laned county road." OK. That's going a bit too far!

The worksheets this week give you practice in taking "snapshots" with your Writing Camera. Read the examples to see how I took boring sentences with dead words and changed them into vivid scenes with my camera--using only two or three sentences!

The final worksheet gives you some questions you can ask yourself when taking a writing snapshot. These hints help you avoid dead words and focus on your readers' five senses.

Assignment:
1) Work through the worksheet pages and post your writing snapshots about the camping trip and the shark. I can't wait to read them!
2) The worksheet with the treasure chest is an opportunity to create a scene from an adventure story--you can be as elaborate as you wish, even adding some action or dialogue. But remember...first and foremost it is a snapshot of the ancient treasure chest! You may post that, also, and I'll look for dead words.

3) Work on your story! If you haven't begun a story yet, start it! Get something down on paper (or on computer).

Here is the download for lesson 7:
Writing Camera 2

Please remember the two rules: Sign Mr. Linky AND post a comment. If you don't see me commenting on your blog for a week or more, it might mean you forgot to let me know you were ready (Of course, it could mean I'm out of town, too.)

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Comments

Oct. 31, 2007 - I did it!!!

Posted by Anonymous

Done!!!! I must say that my story isn't getting any where!!!
Now the week is going to seem longer becuase I know what is coming! :-)
Amy