Resources for Teaching Creative Writing

Johnnie Young taught English and Drama at Colbayns High School in the UK for 19 years. He is now a freelance teacher, trainer and writer based in the UK.

"Young, a high school English teacher, presents 60 ideas for engaging students ages 14-18 in creative writing. Each lesson/activity is a two-page spread, with actual examples of writing by the author paired with teacher notes on key skills taught, starter activities, instructions for the main phase of the lesson, homework ideas, and special focus and development exercises for the KS4 and KS5 syllabus. Each activity also includes reproducible worksheets, which are also available for download online. Activities are grouped in sections on realizing dreams, elements of writing, memories, spooky business, creating tension, feelings, connections, character, and time." -Eithne O'Leyne, BOOK NEWS, Inc.

• Introduction. Section A - Realise a Dream. Adventure Travel Diary Cape Horn. Radio Interview - Realise a Dream Ambition. Writing about a Dream. The Dream Competition. Dream Adventure Poetry. Science Fiction. Section B - Some Elements of Writing. The Four Elements. Linked Order out of Random Chaos. Descriptive Writing - Contrasting Places and Experiences. Section C - Memories. The Female Holly Blue. Memories of Childhood. What Can You See in the Photograph? Return Journey. What Stands out in Your Memory? Section D - Something Special. Creating your "Masterpiece". The Extraordinary Hidden within the Ordinary. Poetic Considerations. Advertisements. The Special Feature. The Invention. The Advice. Section E - Spooky Business. The Tavern. Scary Extracts. Spooky Starters. Bleak Night Mini Stage Play. Section F - Creating Tension. The Vase. Predicaments. Being Under Stress Monologue. Someone is Following Me. Unexpected Event. Section G - The World of Feelings. Inside and Outside. Agony Aunt / Uncle Letters. True Love. My Perfect Day. Favourite Sounds. Describe the View. The Disappointment. Feelings and Impressions Poetry. Section H - Connections. Job Connections. Where Did You come From? Descriptions: Frozen Scene and Action. Describe a Picture. Character Viewpoints. Let's Argue Our Case. Character Connections. World "Class" Journey. Section I - Character. An Interesting Character. Your Statue. In Your Absence. Story Telling Using Dialogue. Optimistic or Pessimistic Character? The Interview. Viewpoints Reveal Character. What Annoys You? Section J - Time. Strange Discoveries. Future Remains. What Does the Future Hold? Transforming the Memories. A Moment in Time. How Time Changes Things.