| When you pick up a book, you usually do three | | | | 'Rats don't growl,' said Mike. |
| things: you look at the cover; read the blurb on | | | | Share these ideas with your children. Then get |
| the back and you read the first paragraph to see | | | | them to look at the first paragraphs of books |
| if you like it. | | | | from the library or your home and see what |
| As an author, you often don't have much control | | | | other types of starts they can find. |
| over (1) the book cover or (2) the blurb, BUT | | | | Here is an Action Activity the whole family can |
| every writer knows that a sizzling story start is | | | | try: |
| vital! That first paragraph has to grab the reader's | | | | Scaffold a Sizzling Start |
| attention instantly. Smart writers know you reveal | | | | Start stories with action! Give your kids one |
| more about your characters by showing them in | | | | minute to write a start for each of the following |
| action, rather than by writing long slabs of | | | | phrases. The one minute limit makes them think |
| description about where they are and what they | | | | quickly and not fuss about being perfect -- and |
| wear. | | | | that allows the creative side of their brain |
| There are lots of ways to create Sizzling Starts. | | | | freedom. (Tell students not to worry about |
| Here are just five suggestions. | | | | spelling until later too.) |
| Start with a bang | | | | - 'Stop! There's a...' |
| I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. | | | | - It was a trap, but... |
| Then it hit me. | | | | - 'Get out of my way. You never...' |
| Make the reader curious | | | | - The chocolate was great, but then... |
| Let me explain about the divorce, the beach | | | | - Suddenly he coughed and... |
| house and the bacon. | | | | - The car stopped. Then it turned around and |
| Create a Moment of Change | | | | started back .. |
| Everything was going well, until my Mum said 'I've | | | | If your children enjoy the activity, get them to |
| got a job in California.' | | | | create more story starters. Next time they can |
| Use humour | | | | run the same activity for you (yes, YOU write, |
| Never let your three year old brother hold a | | | | too) as well as your other kids. |
| tomato. | | | | Don't forget, the most effective way to teach |
| Dialogue quickly introduces your characters | | | | children to write is NOT to write full stories all the |
| 'It's just a rat,' I said, breathing hard. 'It's an old | | | | time. Just practice starting stories well and let kids |
| house.' | | | | learn in small, confidence-building chunks. |