*Insert Literary Blog Name Here* (noun): a small corner of the blagosphere dedicated to books, writing, and kidlit. Come for the book lists. Stay for the coffee.
Yesterday, I ran a writing workshop at the East Somerville Library. Most of the kids were 9; a couple were about 12.
Now, I’ve done a couple of writing workshops before, but they were a) a very long time ago and b) with kids in a more classroom like setting with a clear list of needs (grammar, verbs, and the ins and outs of dialogue). This was quite a change–most of the kids loved stories, but thought writing boring, something best left for the classroom.
Unsurprisingly, it took us a while to get started. Even at the best of times, 9 year olds have a pretty limited attention span. 9 year olds with a new person who speaks funny have an even smaller one. We started with me answering the standard questions:
Where are you from?
Australia.
Have you seen a kangaroo?
Yes. I grew up with them in the backyard, and my aunt had a joey for a while. She used to wear him in a pouch around her neck.
Is it hot in Australia? Is it far?
Yes & Yes.
How old you are?
28.
That’s old! I thought you were like 30! How old’s your husband?
30.
That’s ancient!
I know. He’s an old man, but I love him anyway.
We then moved on to stories. This took some time. We talked about favorite books (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Charlotte’s Web), favorite tv shows (Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Extreme Makeover, Sponge Bob Square Pants, Sonny and Chance), and how a story works. Then we talked about favorite characters, and why we liked them (funny, silly, dumb, fat–the fat and dumb parts really threw me, but that’s another post). I had to ask about some of the newer shows:
What’s Sonny and Chance?
It’s a show on tv.
I don’t have a tv. We watch shows on my computer.
What? No tv? But aren’t you like rich or something?
No-o.
But you have a job and a husband!
Do you know what my husband does? He’s a student, getting his Ph.D. That means he sits in front of a computer doing some boring math stuff all day. People don’t pay well for that.
But you work too!
I’m a freelance writer. So I make some money, but I don’t have a set job. I do a lot of different things for different people. And I have a 14 week old baby, who needs a lot of stuff, so we’re not rich. Do you know how much a baby needs?
YES! I have a sister–and I have a brother–and, and, and…
Of course, we also talked about voice–I had the kids tell me things in different voices, pretending they were older, or younger. I think they actually found older easier. Most of them were embarrassed about acting younger.
Interestingly, though, the part they enjoyed most was the writing. Despite their protests, we did a freewrite about their first day of school, then discussed the bits we liked. Each of the kids had a clear talent for description, and some of them even included very realistic dialogue. Here’s one that really stood out (as I remember it–all the kids took their stories home; some even wanted to type them up):
I was really nervous on my first day of school because I’d heard my teacher was really mean and she spits. She does spit! It’s really gross and she spat on me like twice, and she yelled at me.
p.s. when she comes back from lunch she’s always wearing a lot of lipstick.
I also did the freewrite. Here’s my sample:
“Why do I have to go again? Everybody’s going to hate me and it’s boring and I don’t want to go.”
“Too bad.”
I want to say I hate you and it’s not fair, but I don’t. It’s not like my mom’ll hit me of anything, but she’ll give me her evil I’m so going to punish you and you won’t even see it coming stare. Like no dessert. Or cleaning out the sandbox which is always full of cat poop. Or sorting through the recycling which is the worst because it always smells like fish because my brother’s favorite food is tuna.
I was actually quite nervous about delivering my work. The librarian and my friend, Maura, had been talking me up to the kids, so my palms were sweating when I started. It went really well, though:
OMG, that was like an actual book!
You’re so good! How’d you do that?
Do you always sound like a real book?
(And yes, one did actually say “OMG”.)
We finished up with me reading to them while they colored in. All in all, I count the afternoon as a success, and will be doing a few more workshops–albeit with more distinct age groups–over the next couple of months.
Have you ever done a workshop? How did it go? Any tips or tricks?
I forgot to ask you how it went!! Sounds like you had fun! I’m really surprised to find out that you aren’t rich. I thought all writers immediately made a ton of money whenever they got anything published? :)
BTW I think it’s “Sonny With a Chance” not “Sonny and Chance”. But apparently even they didn’t know what it was called :)
@Amitha – They were pretty confused about the names of a lot of things, but very enthusiastic all the same.
I know, I’m waiting on my six-figure book deal. I’m sure the call will come any minute! =c)
You’re 28? I thought you were older for some reason. I think it’s the baby. I feel so immature now :-)
So the workshop sounds like it was fun. Do you have a specific objective for them? Just get kids interested in writing? How do the kids sign up?
my idea of how old is old has definitely changed since I was 9 years old. right now you have to be about 80. :)
thought being pregnant does make me feel very old.
Hmm, and the accent. The accent makes Peta seem mature and sophisticated.
I’m feeling pressure to get on that baby thing…
yes the accent makes Peta seem very sophisticated. i wish i had a cool accent.
@Livia – Yep, 28. It’s probably a mixture of Baby and being an old married lady – I got married 3 days after I turned 20.
I mostly want to give them a chance to say what they have to say – they can write about whatever they want, as long as they mean it. It’s also a way for me to show them writing is about more than essays and schoolwork.
The librarians tell kids about it. If they’re interested, they tell Maura, and then she gets them all together on the day.
We’ll be doing a science workshop soon, too – bottle rockets and diet coke and mentos in the library’s backyard.
Accent – lol! I’ve never liked my voice, and I’ve never felt sophisticated, either!
@Amitha – pregnancy and Baby make me feel old, too. I think there’s a big window, between 25 and 35, where it’s hard to tell age. I do remember thinking my parents were old, though.
@Livia, again – ignore the pressure! Wait ’til you’ve been married for a while. We waited 7 years; I can’t imagine having had Baby any earlier.
@Livia – I second ignoring the pressure. esp while you’re still in grad school and your hubby is so far away! you don’t want to be a single mom when you’re not even single! you still have time! enjoy being a newlywed!
Hehe, don’t worry. No baby plans on the horizon. Seriously, dunno how I would do it without hubby. Gonna enjoy these 3 last years before the biological clock starts screaming.