Write a beginning, middle, and end for each scene 11/27
You might have already learned that a book always has a beginning, middle, and end. In Cinderella, the beginning is her normal life of cleaning and cooking. The middle is when she meets the fairy godmother, she goes to the ball, she meets the prince, and she loses her glass slipper. The end is when she tries on the glass slipper, it fits, and she lives with the prince happily ever after. What you are about to learn is that each individual scene in the book has a beginning, middle, and end. Let’s identify the beginning, middle, and end of the scene in which Cinderella meets the prince at the ball. The beginning of this scene is when the prince notices Cinderella. The middle is when she dances with him. The end is when the clock strikes 12, and Cinderella runs out of the ballroom, leaving a glass slipper behind. For each scene that you write, you can identify the beginning, middle, and end just like we did with this scene from Cinderella. Identifying the B, M, and E of each scene will allow you to make sure your story is progressing with each scene. If you realize that one of your scenes doesn’t have a beginning, middle, and/or end, your story is not climbing or descending down the story mountain, it is plateauing. After each scene, the reader might discover a character or maybe learnt something about the setting. The story should have progressed in some way each scene. If you read a scene and don’t discover anything new, your scene is flat.
Piece all the scenes together. 12/4
It is important for stories to flow and for time to make sense. There are lots of ways to structure your story; it could be a day, a year over seasons, a week… Writers usually don’t put one scene right after the next without having a transition. A transition is when you insert a phrase or a word that glues two sequential scenes together. Some examples of transition words and phrases are, “the next day, at lunch, later that afternoon,” and “after math class.” ++++ Each scene in your story has to flow. Everything that happens in your story has to be connected. Put sentences between each scene to set up for the next scene. Tell the reader where the characters are at that moment and show the time of day has changed.
Encouragement to finish the story all the way – save revision for when your story is done! 12/21
Sometimes when I’m writing an essay or story I get discouraged and even have writer’s block. It’s hard to finish what I’m writing. Sometimes words come right away. Other times I think for a long time, even hours to figure out what I want to say.
The more you put off your writing, the more you will stay stuck. The harder it will be to finish. Sometimes when you get stuck, dwelling on what you’ve already written trying to make little parts better. It’s best to get a whole rough draft finished. Write all the way to the end of the story.
Revising your story 12/28 Try new wording to vary their words.
When first writing, after you’re finished, you may think you’re done. You will realize it’s helpful to revise your story. You will read thoroughly and look for ways to improve. Look for ways to tell the story. Look for ways to improve the story. Look at the words, look at sentence structure, places where you repeat words, places where you can take out unnecessary words or sentences. Places where the illustration already shows that part, find ways to reveal more about a character. Example Ruby’s excitement shown with cart wheels. Scenes switch from one place to the next and need more information or transitions.