Christine's Story Starters
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Writing Weblinks
Reading Weblinks
Drawing and Colouring Weblinks
Writing Tips
Sometimes it's hard to think of interesting ideas for stories. One way is to ask what if? Then let your imagination run with the question.
This has worked for me. Here are a couple of examples:
In Outer Face I wrote story called Knocked Out and it came from asking myself, 'What if a boy was hit on the head and he could read minds?'
Vibes #1: Jigsaw - 'What if a girl woke up and found she had amnesia and couldn't remember a single thing about her life?'
Windbag - 'What if a boy had the hiccups so badly that he couldn't stop?'
Hairy Legs - 'What if a boy finds a fairy who wears football shorts and has hairy legs, and has to do three good deeds in a hurry or he will be turned into a garden gnome?'
Here are some What if ideas that you might like to use in your story writing:
What if...
My teacher turned into a fly?
No-one in the world could read?
People could fly?
Snails could run?
Insects were as big as people?
I shrank to the size of a bee?
My parents resigned and I had to find new ones?
I was a refugee nearing land in a leaky boat?
I had x-ray vision?
I was a super-hero who lost his or her powers?
I could time travel?
The people on the TV screen could see me?
I woke up to find my room filled with smoke?
I was a turkey on the day before Christmas?
We all looked the same?
Everything I wished for came true?
I could change places with someone for a day - who would it be?
I suddenly realised my brother was an undercover agent and he was in trouble?
I could decorate my room any way I chose, how would it look?
I had to describe a banana to someone who had never seen or tasted one?
I couldn't stop laughing?
I lost something really important?
Strange creatures lived in our garden shed?
Shadows moved without their owners?
I could read people's thoughts?
I was the first person chosen to live on the moon base?
An asteroid was hurtling towards Earth and I had one day to live?
I came back from the future with one really important message for the people of today and they wouldn't listen?
I was a dog who longed to be a horse?
A frog who was afraid of water?
I saw something really strange in the neighbour's yard, then they spotted me looking at them?
Messages came to me in dreams and I didn't know if they were real?
I became invisible?
I was afraid of water but saw a swimmer who needed help?
Woke up to find my fingers and toes had turned to fins?
Heard whispering when no-one else could?
Had rubber legs and I could leap over houses?
Found I could walk through walls?
Could buy dreams at the Dream Store?
I could no longer talk?
I had to give a speech to world leaders about how to make friends with a tree?
There is a lot that can be said about a book without giving away surprises in the plotline, or the ending.
Here are some questions to think about when you are writing a review, to help you get started.
What is the genre or style of story?
Theme or main idea?
Did that appeal to you, and why?
Does the cover fit the story?
How did you feel when you were reading the book?
Was it a gripping start to the story?
What kind of characters were in it, and how did you feel about them?
Who do you think would be the readers of the book?
Did you think the dialogue was realistic?
How did the ending make you feel (but don't give away secrets)?
Was it easy to read?
Did the book make you think differently?
Did you go on thinking about the book after you finished it?
What was your favourite thing about the book?
Writing and Reading Weblinks
Story titles
Scroll down the page a little, then you will find a whole selection of exciting titles.
Writing Games
I tried some of these and they are so much fun, and really helpful
Hot Similes
Scroll down the page to find the small windows that allow you to put two unusual but interesting words together.
Creative Writing Worksheets
These give you a title, then start you off with the first paragraph. Lots to choose from.
Bogglesworld
Here, there is a selection of fun but simple crosswords. A great way to play with words.
ABC Teach
Bigger crosswords for older kids on all sort of subjects
ABC Teach
Wow. Heaps of hints on writing different sorts of poems.
Education World
181 sayings that make intriguing writing prompts
Story It, story starters
This page has a lot of choices where each page uses a picture to trigger ideas. You look at the picture, then write a list of words that picture makes you think about, then do your story from that list. If you click print, you can get a sheet on which to write. I love the pictures. Makes me think of words I could use to describe them.
Story It, help with writing a limerick
In the Moonlight a worm...
For teens and people who are clever with haiku, or would like to be. This site also has wonderful examples of haiku.
The English Room - Thirty Days of Poetry
Yep. Definitely 30 ideas for poems, with examples. I counted.
ABC Teach
A whole page of mazes. Test your skill.
Christine's Amazon Connect writers' blog
ABC Teach
Simple reading log sheet to keep track of your favourite books
Young Poets
Original poetry written by kids from 5 to 18. There are 67 poets from 6 countries. Some have their stories and drawings included.
Young Australian Readers' Awards
Online children's choice awards, reviews.
South Australian Premier's Reading Challenge
Students are encouraged to choose books to read and get an award.
Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge
NSW Premier's Reading Challenge
Mummy in museum colouring page
How to draw a picture of an Ancient Egyptian
The Cartoon Factory
You can write your own text for a great selection of cartoons.
Draw and Colour with Uncle Fred
Simple instructions to follow with paper and crayons or pencils on how to cartoon.
Mark David's Cartoons
My friend, Mark, has had more than 10,000 cartoons published around the world. You can see 60 of them on this website.
Sascha Hutchinson
Interesting answers to questions about illustrating books.
NASA Colouring In
On the computer screen or print out on paper.
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Free download of the Happy Earth Day Coloring and Activities Book.
- Keep your eyes and ears open for interesting or surprising things
- Have a notebook handy to record things so you don't forget
- Read as much as you can
- Write often, even if it's just a few sentences
- Join a writing group or swap your stories with a trusted friend
- Read magazines, online articles and interviews by writers to pick up tips on how they do it
- Keep a log book of the books you have read and write one thing that you either like or didn't like about each one. After a few months, you will have a list that will help you in your own writing
- Draw pictures of your characters and this might help you 'see' them more clearly
- Attend workshops or talks by writers and ask questions where possible
- Enter writing competitions
- Experiment with different sorts of writing: poetry, short stories, fiction novels, humour, articles, plays, radio scripts or reviews.
Click here for hints on review writing
- Click here to see some of my 'What if...' story starters
- Write about topics that interest you, then you will be enthusiastic and write from your heart
- Keep a record in your notebook of sayings or quotes that inspire you
- Write in your favourite place
- All fascinating stories need conflict, so ask yourself, 'What does my character want and what stops them getting it?'
- Ask yourself, 'Is my story one that I would like to read?'
- Use dialogue or speech
- Read your stories aloud so you can judge how they sound
- Write entertaining letters or emails to friends
- Don't expect your writing to be perfect - most professional writers do many drafts
- Tell your story in your own 'voice' - it's unique
- Use your dreams
- If you become lost in the middle of your story, write in one sentence what the whole story is about, or storyboard main ideas of the plot.
Click here to see an example of a storyboard for my short story Knocked Out
- Start with a 'bang' - something that will catch readers' attention
- If you are stuck, take a break and do something else for a while
- Dress up as your character
- Play music to get you in the mood for your story
- Watch movies and think about what was good and bad about them
- Allow yourself time to daydream and imagine
- Put your story aside for a few days before editing, so you can see any mistakes
- Don't give up
- Have fun!
