Notes for teachers and librarians
Sheridan Winn offers two types of ‘writer’ event: a group talk and a workshop
1) Group talk
A one-hour session for larger groups of children (Years 3 - 8).
The session breaks down in to two parts.
First, the 45-minute talk covers:-
About the Sprite Sister books
Two readings from the Sprite Sister books
Thoughts on being an author
Tips on creative writing
Q&A
This is followed by a 15-minute signing session.
Books should be available to buy and organised by the school.
2) Workshop
A 90-minute session for smaller groups of children (Years 4 - 8).
Pens and paper are required, as the children will be expected to confer and write down their ideas at each stage.
At the end of the workshop, each child will have the elements of a story that they can write in a further session with their teacher.
Here is an outline:-
LET’S START A STORY - the elements of a story
1) Intro
The Sprite Sister books
Reading No 1
2) Ideas
Where do stories come from?
Getting ideas: newspaper stories, watching people, putting together funny situations in your head, dreams and daydreams
Carrying a notebook with you; keeping ideas safe for a later date
3) Characters
You are the eyes and ears of your characters: walking through the character’s world. When you are writing, see as they see, feel as they feel, hear as they hear
Be in the character’s heads, yet watching over them, too
The characters have to engage you, too
How the Sprite Sisters came to me as characters
Who they are and how they relate to one another
What are they like: how do they look, how do they speak, how do they move?
What are the problems they face? What are their strengths? What are their flaws?
W – Write down the name of your character and a few words that describe/s them
4) Situation - creating a world
Your adventure playground
The Sprite world is small and complete and safe until Glenda comes
Big worlds and small worlds
Situation and time: past, present or future
W – What is the world your character/s inhabit? Write down a few words that describe it
5) Reading No 2
6) Story/Plot
Q – What is it your characters want: how will they get it and who or what will try to stop them?
Always start your story at a point of change
Hook your reader on the first page
Antagonists and protagonists: what is the situation
Beginning, middle and end
Creating drama - ‘wave’ effect to enhance tension and excitement
W – Write down who will stop your character getting what they want and how.
7) Genre
The Sprite Sisters are fantasy, but they’re also about relationships, so they’re drama, and they’re also funny – so they’re comic.
Funny, scary, sad, thoughtful
Genre: what type of story is it? Horror/scary, comedy/funny, romance, drama/sad/thoughtful/dangerous
It must be something you would want to pick up and read
W – Write down the genre of the story you would like to write
8) Summary
You now have the four elements of a story: a character; a world/situation; a story and a genre. Begin!