Creative Writing

Do’s and Don’ts

Mini Creative Writing Activity

• 1. Don’t tell us, show us!

• 2. Use significant detail (use all five senses to trick us into believing).

• 3. Build round characters, not flat ones. Use appearance, action, dialogue, & thought. (Characterization!)

….Continued

• 4. Choose your point-of-view thoughtfully. Do you want to tell your story from the main character’s perspective OR have an omniscient narrator who gets into everyone’s mind? (this also depends on whether you choose option #1 OR #2)

• 5. Tense: Consider how present vs. past tense might influence the overall tone of your piece.

Creative Writing Activity….Continued

• 6. Audience: you decide!

• 7. Every time speakers change, BEGIN a

new line.

• 8. This is a one scene story! Keep it simple!

• 9. Include a Meaningful Title!

Option #1 • Have your character accept a ride from someone

s/he doesn’t know well. Describe the ride and the car, particularly its interior. Instead of naming or generalizing about your character’s feelings, focus on the details and let them reveal her emotional state & comfort level. Is the car luxurious? Pristine? A mess? What is that odor? Is that a child’s sippy cup? Pet hair? Running shoes? You’re the author and so may know the future. Will the character’s impressions of the owner, based on the car’s condition, prove accurate? Option #2

• Write a scene placing two characters in this very fundamental conflict: one wants something that the other does not want to give. The something may be anything – money, respect, jewelry information, etc., but be sure to focus on that one desire and how it puts the two characters at odds.

Creative Writing Activity• Must be written on provided loose leaf (ask for

more if necessary).

• Skip lines please.• Include a Title.• You must hand in what you have written to Mr.

Tatnell before leaving the classroom.• You will have time to work on this again. Don’t

panic if you don’t finish.

• Spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, etc. will be looked at. (show me you know the basics of writing)

• Be creative!