I originally designed this task for my students who are preparing for independent school entrance exams, although it is applicable to anyone who enjoys a creative writing challenge. Description and detail, rather than crazy plot twists, are key. A truly skilled writer will be able to pump life into the blandest of story lines. To this end, I have come up with the most boring story line I could think of. The challenge (should you choose to accept it) is to make it interesting through language alone.
STORY:
A girl/boy/person goes to the shops, buys a loaf of bread, then goes back home.
Boring right? So make it exciting!
GUIDANCE:
Before writing, you should come up with a PLAN. You should consider details such as:
Who the person is - you may write in the third person, first person (I), or even the second.
Think about the setting - perhaps try to imagine a situation in which buying a loaf of bread is not as ordinary as it seems.
Details of the journey - things may happen along the way (as long as it doesn't involve being kidnapped by aliens!), describe how the character is feeling etc.
Why they are getting bread - perhaps it becomes clear at the end (plot twist, but avoid aliens)
It may be humorous or serious.
You don't have to tell it in chronological order...
...but the basic elements of the story must be unchanged (shop, bread, home)
Give it plenty of thought, then you will be ready to start writing.
While writing. With a plan in mind, you can devote your full attention to HOW you tell the story i.e. PLENTY of ambitious and descriptive vocabulary, perhaps a simile, some personification etc.
After writing, check carefully for accurate spelling, punctuation & grammar (SPaG).
You should also add a TITLE.
LENGTH: aim for 1 side of A4 paper (minimum half a side; max. 2 sides)
SUBMIT TO: misswrite11plus@gmail.com
DEADLINE: 30th November, 2021
THE WINNER will be the one who tells the story in the most original way, using interesting vocabulary & techniques. Spelling, punctuation & grammar (SPaG) should also be accurate.
THE PRIZE will be...
...the honour of winning (yay!)
Also, the winning piece will be displayed in the next blog (anonymously, but with your age and year group), together with my full feedback on why I liked it. Runners-up will have snippets of their work displayed, with brief comments.
In addition, a photo of the following rosette shall somehow be attached (digitally) to the winning piece.
It is, you may notice, a rosette that my dog won in a recent dog contest. The category was 'Dog with the Waggiest Tail' - I feel this is just about relevant to creative writing, if you think of it as a metaphor.
So who shall be the winner of the prestigious 'Dog with the Waggiest Tail' award? I look forward to reading your responses.
Good luck! May the dog with the waggiest tail win.
P.S. I am also planning my own story to the above brief, which I shall share with you after the winners have been announced.