Creative Writing in 5 Simple Steps

The Spilling Ink writing club at Maple Street has been busy preparing for our Literacy Night poetry slam. As they continue through the year, it's possible that more and more styles of writing and interests will begin to emerge and there is a new series that can help any young writer work on his or her craft. Write Fantasy Fiction in 5 Simple Steps is a book in the Creative Writing in 5 Simple Steps series. Each title is a guide for writers of a particular genre. In the fantasy title, students are encouraged to keep a journal, do research, learn more about the genre and its conventions, and complete other activities that will improve their writing.

Specific information about the genre is included, as well as excellent examples of work from popular authors that the students will recognize such as J.K. Rowling, Rick Riordan, and Cornelia Funke. Advice about publishing is provided as well. The book ends will a detailed glossary, a list for further reading, and websites to visit so that students can extend their understanding beyond the pages.

In addition to fantasy, the other genres addressed in this series are: mystery, romance, graphic novels, science fiction, and horror. Students who enjoy reading these genres will love learning more about the conventions and each book provides opportunities for teachers to pull out elements that will help improve their students' writing.

Common Core State Standards Connections:

Sixth Grade:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W6.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W6.3aEngage and orient the reader by establishing a context and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W6.3b Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W6.3c Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W6.3d Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W6.3e Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events.

Seventh Grade:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W7.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W7.3a Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W7.3b Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W7.3c Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W7.3d Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W7.3e Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.

Eighth Grade:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W8.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W8.3a Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W8.3b Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W8.3c Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another, and show the relationships among experiences and events.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W8.3d Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy W8.3e Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.

Currently, this title is available at Maple Street. I am considering purchasing the whole series for Maple Street. Would you like to see it at your middle school as well?