It's all in the details

For today’s guest speaker, Jeri Rowe, discussed writing in general.  During the first few minutes of class, the students wrote about someone from their family or a pet whom they love very much.  Then asking a few of the students to read their materials, Jeri asked questions based on their subject: What do they do?  What are they like?  Small details that describes the person or animal on paper.  Details, such as names, characteristics, hobbies, events and setting, help build a strong structure within writing, especially in journalism.  You would want to demonstrate to the readers what is going on, what it truly felt like to be at a specific event, meeting this person, as if the reader is being transported through time.  Whenever you write, no matter what kind of format and subject you focus on, always remember to include the important details.  

Here are some of Jeri’s tips you can go over:

1. Write with your senses: include what you see, hear, smell or feel so others embrace what you are experiencing.  Think how you are addicted to good book and the words turn into pictures.  Make a picture with words to show others a vivid image.
   
   
2. Be a movie director: When you are watching a movie, you see and hear the characters and setting.  Write in scenes, tell what is happening, the climax, how does the story flow?
   
   
3. “Think like a tree”: Think like a plant when you are writing.  Looks confusing doesn’t it.  What it really means it that a tree stands strong due to the roots.  Questions, details, notes - they are the roots.  You have the main idea (the trunk) now add what else it needs to be a strong structure.
   
   
4. Think about conversation: Quotes, phrases, words put cleverly together to make a statement.  Talk to people, describe the conversation as if the reader is meeting them face to face.
   
   

Jeri started writing at a young age and quoted “ I breathe, thus I write."  He wanted to do what he loved to do the most, write stories, as well as make a difference in the community or in an individual.  People write stories in movies, fiction, nonfiction, novel, songs, etc to share with the audience and inspire the future.  Always be curious, go beyond your boundaries and discover your inner self.  Don’t just tell people about what you want to say, show it to them.  That is how history, romance, comedy, and other factors that make up our pages, and fills our head and hearts with light and darkness.


As for the classes, the students are already working on their stories.  A few are still having writer’s block but the staff of the Young Writer’s Camp are helping them make ideas and edit their work.  Using computers and laptops, the students are learning to use programs such as Toondo, Voicethread, Weebly and Flipbooks.  Some have already written about their pets, others based on a video games, about soccer and baseball and some were written as a autobiography.  The students are working very hard and by the end of next week, their creativity will be officially published for their friends and family to see.