I came across a copy of the Gobblefunk Dictionary yesterday. It’s a dictionary devoted to words that Roald Dahl invented and used in his novels, especially in The BFG. There’s a real pleasure in inventing words, and if you are reading a story by Roald Dahl you will have a head start. How about your … Continue reading Gobblefunk
Tag: fiction
Look through the eyes of another
It’s the weekend and so maybe there is time for some fiction. Or maybe you are planning ahead. Think about telling a story through the eyes of someone who is not you. Start with a place you know well. It may be the view through your window, the local shop, a spot where you sit in … Continue reading Look through the eyes of another
Look up!
Writers notice things. The more we write the more we are likely to take note of. Sometimes we should change our viewpoint. When I was at school in Chester, I learned the value to the historian of looking up. Above modern shop fronts you could – and still can – see evidence of the older … Continue reading Look up!
Pop-up!
By popular demand, here’s another making writing project courtesy of the inventive and imaginative Paul Johnson. This one is inspired by his book, Pop-up Paper Engineering.It is a lovely project that can inspire nursery children and provide older children to create and write about a character. I have chosen Red Riding Hood for this demonstration, but … Continue reading Pop-up!
Stories they tell
Today, we offer just a quick idea: a different point of view. Try writing a story from the point of view of one of your pets. If you don’t have a pet, then you can imagine one. In fact, if you don’t have a pet, you can imagine any animal you like. Our pets know … Continue reading Stories they tell
Pumpkin speaks
Hallowe’en is nearly here. Perhaps we should write a poem or story with Hallowe’en in mind. What about writing a story where something impossible happens? If you want us to believe your story, you need some really good, ordinary detail. Just imagine, you have to prove that you were at the park yesterday afternoon. If … Continue reading Pumpkin speaks
Words on the paper
If you have already created a character and drawn the map of where the action of your story will take place, you will be all ready to get some words on paper. As you have been drawing and dreaming and making up answers, a story will have be forming. Now, find your notebook, or some … Continue reading Words on the paper
Questions for a character
I wonder whether you made a list of names yesterday? If you did, choose one to be the name of a character you will write about. If you didn’t, and even if you did, make up a name now -even make up a list to choose from. Once you have your character’s name sit down … Continue reading Questions for a character
Fiction
Through fiction we develop a body of knowledge about language unlike any other. Developing language through the reading and hearing of fiction gives us a deep understanding of writing through sitting in the opposite seat - that of the reader. A much broader range of language is employed in literature than in spoken language so … Continue reading Fiction
Writing Box 