Nanowrimo Writers' Workshop #9

Points of View was the topic of the #Nanowrimo Writers' Workshop today.

"You can write your novel from any point of view." I said. "Protagonist, Antagonist, Supporting Character, 3rd person Narrator or a mix. And can choose to have these peole talk in 1st or 3rd person".

We came up with examples of each. 3rd person narrator is the most commonly used perspective. The kids' favorites fall into this category  - the Enid Blyton books.  We discussed how this POV gives the author distance from her characters.

"Name a book in which the supporting character acts as the narrator?" I queried. Pat came the response "Sherlock Holmes!"  We discussed how Watson is really the reader in the story - by asking questions and begging for explanations.

Geronimo, a hot favourite,  is written from the 1st person point of view of the protagonist. "An author can carry that off if the main character is really strong", I explained.

The kids were most curious about the 1st person narrative by a villain, and pestered me to tell them the name of books where this happens. I bluntly refused. "I'd be ruining the story for you if I told you.  One day when you read such a story, remember your Aneesa Aunty.!"

We then settled down to a read aloud - I selected "Lamb for the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl.

*Spoiler Alert* Do not read further, if you haven't read that short story.

The children were engrossed in the tale as it slowly unfolded, the murder happened and the alibi created.  The end had them gasping " That was a story from the villian's point of view!"

We had a lively debate about who was the villian.  And which character garnered the childrens' sympathy. Interestingly, most of the girls and the 6th grade boys sided with Patrick.

The dissenting opinion came from some of the 7th grade boys. " He had such a lovely wife! How could he plan to leave her?" "She was pregnant. His action cannot be condoned". "What about the unborn child? He'd never know his father who left him"

The kids cajoled me into reading one more story. We picked "Charles" by Shirley Jackson. The giggled at all the exploits of Charles in his classroom, in  obvious admiration for his derring do.

However they surprised me during the discussion which followed. "Who do you sympathise with in the story?" I asked . "The teacher" was the unanimous answer from the children, in sharp contrast to my colleagues and my sympathy for the child Charles himself!

#Nanowrimo- you rock! You've opened doors to absolutely fascinating English classes.

Nanowrimo Writers' Workshop #8

This #Nanowrimo Writers' Workshop was on creating settings. We discussed the use of descriptive language which paints a picture in the mind of a reader.

We discussed what settings mean - both location and time. Children often confuse setting with specifics - morning, evening or home, school. We talked about how an author can use a general or broader location and time and vary the specifics within the novel.

The importance of research was emphasised. Children brainstormed all the different variables they'd have to research to build authenticity - from the language, social mores, government types, physiques, history to food, religion, dress. An imaginary setting allows the author to create all these.

The importance of localisation came up.  Most Indian children of this background read American or British authors. They are heavily influenced by these books. Which means their own writing is usually set in the US, with White American characters, with names like Jack, Tom or Jill in a setting which is completely alien to these kids. Not only does the writing sound false, a greater problem is the lack of representation of kids like themselves. "How many times have you encountered kids like yourselves in books- with names like yours?" I asked. "You have a wonderful opportunity to create a narrative which hardly exists - with kids eating sambhar or biryani, playing on a beach with salt spray stinging their faces, watching the coconut palms swaying gently in the breeze" Hopefully the message will sink in.

We went on to discussing how settings can create moods or reveal facets about their characters.  Kids got to speedwrite descriptions of various settings and read them aloud. They went onto writing out settings from the different parts of their own novels.

Nanowrimo Writers' Workshop #7

We went over the plot structure and discussed  "Cool" by Michael Morpurgo. It's  a brilliant book about Robbie, a small boy, in coma. Most of the children have read the book, so we  were able to have a constructive discussion.

We identified the set up and saw how Morpurgo introduced the main character, the dog and setting. The children caught on that the parents' separation was a key problem being highlighted.

They identified the inciting incident and the different rising action points. The children saw how each incident built on the last and increased the tension in the plot.

They could identify the sub plot theme - the story of Tracy and how it contributed to making the plot more interesting and multidimensional.

The climax and the falling action points were discussed. The most interesting conversation  was on how Robbie changed in the end. I told them how they had to use inference to understand the undercurrents. They talked about how Robbie would have become more cautious but also more patient. "He probably has new fears now" was an insightful comment -  one I hadn't even thought of. 

Another wonderful #nanowrimo class.

Nanowrimo Writers' Workshop #6

Today's class was all about learning how to write the plot of the novel.  we went through the six elements of plot development that resembles a roller coaster.

1. The set-up which gives us the daily routine of the character or protagonist and an insight into the characters' likes and dislikes, the conflict - external and internal. we could say that this is the intro before the story moves on.

2. The inciting incident which sets the story forward to a point from where there is no turning back and sets the action - the "from where everything started to change" moment.

3. The rising action - where the character makes a choice and which takes them to the next level and then they need to again make a choice or take a decision and move on.

4. The climax - the nail biting event/incident where we really want to know "will my protagonist get what they want or not?. What will happen next?

5. The falling action - where the events now start happening like tumbling down a roller coaster and basically the last part of the excitement that was built up previously.

6. The resolution shows how the conflict resolved and how the character changes after the incident that just happened.

We discussed the books, Emil and the Detectives, Danny the Champion of the World, Wolves of Willoughby Chase etc., to understand all the elements of the plot and then the children had to write down quickly a short story implementing the learning of today's class.

Mushin wrote a short story about gorillas being attakced by poachers, while Khadija penned a personal narrative.

- Naqeeb Sultana

Nanowrimo Writer's Workshop #5

We learned the importance of conflict in a novel. "Conflict makes the main character grow." We spoke about the two kind of conflicts faced by characters - internal and external.

"So, you want a tuna sandwich. But to get one, you need to walk over to Five Star and buy a can of tuna. However, Mr Evil, whose main goal in life is to stop you from getting a tuna, is waiting to ambush you, right at the corner. You don't know that, but you fear he's going to try something like that." Kids giggled and worked out the  different kinds of conflict on that scenario.

We went onto to discussing how they have to create characters who have dreams, doubts, ambition and fears. And how the intersection of these emotions between the protagonist and antagonist creates tension. And the creation of challenges pulls the novel along.

The real fun in the classes is when we dissect the novels we've read, to identify elements. We shared how Daddy Long Legs is written in a 2nd person perspective (a rare beast), how multiple voices are present in Hardy Boys. How Dr. Seuss' books are carried by their crazy rhyming scheme and fantastic illustrations. How the Treasure Seekers makes you wonder who really is the narrator. From discussing Dorothy's  goal and challenges in theWizard of Oz, to figuring out the difficulties faced by Jo and her sisters in Little Women, these conversations are a wonderful insight into how very much these kids are reading.

Another win for  Al Qamar's pedagogy.

Nanowrimo Writers' Workshop #4

So, today we fleshed out our characters. The most important people for our novels.

We discussed how, essentially, there are three kinds of characters in a book - the main character or protagonist; the supporting characters and finally the villain  or antagonist. 

An enjoyable discussion ensued on the various characters we have encountered in books - Geronimo is a great favourite. "What makes you like Geronimo?" I asked. "He thinks like me", "He feels fear", "He has fun" were the responses. We listed a bunch of features that make a character memorable. Some felt wildly improbable characters were great while others loved characters with flaws.

I listed out different characters and discussed what kind of character each one was. It was hard identifying the antagonist in some novels - "Cool", "The Secret Garden". The kids realised that sometimes nature or circumstances can be the antagonist.

Then the kids got to work - to brainstorm details about their main character - her height, appearance, likes and dislikes. Some children sketched out their main character. Suddenly, the characters felt more real.

Some kids wrestled with describing their character- it didn't fit the norm. A bacteria is one child's protagonist while another has a girl who discovers she's an alien adopted by earthlings.

Kids came forward and shared their character portraits. Since "Dont YUCK my YUM" is the motto, kids were respectful and supportive of each other's efforts.

Another group caughtup on their novel discussions with each other.

So it all starts today. I'm sure it will be a busy weekend ahead with kids scrambling to start up their "Nano-novels".

Nanowrimo Writers Workshop #3

The middle schoolers started the class with a brainstorm of their story "sparks" - ideas for what they'd like to write about.  Their brains were fizzing - female empowerment / racism/ middle ages/ equations - yup that's right.  Equations! Somehow Maths has a way of sneaking into every English discussion!).

Once they poured their ideas onto paper, the kids identified the 3-5 most appealing ones for further exploration.

Then came the speed writing - write about your story.  Deep silence reigned in the  room as the children wrote furiously.

Then they got the opportunity to discuss their story ideas with each of their classmates. The partners had to give feedback couched in positive terms. Their nascent stories hold so much promise - from a gang of kids who generate electricity from air to a colony of bacteria which is being threatened.

Nanowrimo Writers' Workshop #2

Another really cool Nanowrimo class today.

Kids came up with the 3 novels each which they have read and which they absolutely loved.  The books included the usual suspects - Geronimo Stilton, Harry Potter, Diary of a Wimpy Kid - stuff that this age group simply devours.  But there were some interesting surprises - Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, Heidi, What Katy Did, Anne of Green Gables, and the all time favourite Winnie the Pooh - books I had loved as a child.

The children then discussed all the elements that had made the books so interesting. Their assessment was surprisingly  mature.  "He makes stuffed toy characters seem real", "Its not a roller coaster of one event after another", "The character makes the setting come alive".

Then we moved onto the "Gross" books - books kids just absolutely hated. Books that made them wish for a trip to the dentist instead.

Interestingly, this list included some all time favourites - the Secret Seven (is it too archaic?), Geronimo Stilton (too much clutter?), Magic Treehouse (plots are repetitive). Here too, the children has some complex insights, ranging from "paper thin characters", to "a hook in every chapter".

The purpose was to introduce children to elements they need to incorporate or avoid in the novels they will be writing in November.

We've also decided to create blogposts of the  kids' book talks and recommendations - which other children may find useful.

Nanowrimo kicks off

Nanowrimo prep kicked off today with fun activities. The Nanowrimo Young Writers Program is a global, seat of the pants writing challenge where kids try to write a novel and achieve their word goals in a month.

Kids explored what a novel is and its component elements - characters, setting and plots. They identified the different genres that their novel could fit into - a historical adventure, a Sci Fi mystery and others.

Then they got to write about their favourite novel - and create an advertisement for it.  Older kids delivered a Book Talk where they spoke persuasively about why their favourite would make great reading.

The greatest fun was to draw their Inner Editor - the monstrous entity that sows doubt in their hearts, makes them wonder if they got the spelling right or if the punctuation was appropriate.  After sketching him, kids tore out the paper and gave their illustration to me to lock up for a month. Now they can write  freely without that inner voice of doubt.

The Outer Editor - who makes them criticise or mock their friends was also chucked out of the window - making ours a safe space to express innermost thoughts and feelings and to share our whacko ideas and crazy novels.

Looking forward to tomorrow's lessons on creating characters.

#nanowrimo #creativity  #kids