The Importance of Creative Play in Writing - Greenacre Guest Blog

Guest Blog from A.L. Michael

I’ve been running writing workshops for children for quite a few years now, and what I’ve realised from seeing them interact with the props, play the games, create superheroes and  monsters, is that we have forgotten how to play.

Adults need creative play just as much as children do, but we tend to settle for passive imagination, watching movies, reading books. Being shown something, instead of creating it ourselves. Children become their stories, they act them out, change the rules, get excited. Writing is our chance to do that, to recreate and remember how to play.

It doesn’t mean you have to suddenly write a science fiction story if that’s not what you’re about, but consider how you like to make up stories. Perhaps there are things in your life you’d rewrite? Perhaps those daydreams of what you’d do if you won the lottery could be the start of an epic tale of luxury and drama? What superpower would you have if you could choose?

Stories originate in daydreams, in fantasy, and as adults we have shunned those fantasies for the real world, convinced they have no value, but they do! Children know this, they know that their fantasies can provide hours of fun, that they can draw other people into their worlds with the stories they create.

Take a moment to learn from your children, and whenever you get the chance to play, to be creative and silly and surprising, do so!

For more info on the importance of creative play, writing and wellbeing, click HERE. 

  

A.L. Michael will be running a Creative Writing for Children Workshop as part of TheFinchley Literary Festival, at Friern Barnet Community Library.

Wednesday 28th May
'Write Here, Write Now'

Creative Writing Lesson for Kids

10.30am-11.15pm

11.30am-12.15pm

Create some stories this half term with writer A.L.Michael! Come along and race against time to create a story with The Sixty Second Scribble. Create the scariest villain or most brilliant superhero with The Prop Detective! Then roll The Story Dice to find your setting and get ready to write! Two 45 min sessions of writing games and activities to get young minds imagining! 

Ages 6+ No need to book, just drop in!

(Limit of 20 kids per session)

Creative Writing Workshops

The Greenacre Writers invite you to a Creative Writer’s Afternoon - this is part of the Trinity in May - Art, Drama, and Music - a series of events held at Trinity Church in North Finchley:

Ways into Creative Writing
Saturday 14th May 2011

Life Writing Workshop
Saturday 28th May 2011

2.00pm - 5.00pm
Trinity Church
Finchley,
London N12

The workshops will introduce you to the skills needed to think and write creatively.
The aim of the afternoons are to meet with fellow creative writers, to work on creative writing exercises, share your work to receive supportive feedback and ideas in a friendly and stimulating environment.

Workshops are free but we are raising money for the Greenacre Bicycle Rally (Sunday 12th June).
Suggested donation: £5

If you require more information either e-mail:
greenacrewriters@gmail.com
or contact:
Rosie (MA Writing) on 020 8346 9449
Lindsay (BA Hons Literature) on 020 8343 7181

HAVE YOU LOST THE PLOT?

The Greenacre Writers invite you to a Creative Writer’s Afternoon:

HAVE YOU LOST THE PLOT?

Saturday 19th February 2011
2.00pm - 5.00pm
Finchley,
London N12

Who dunnit? Why? And what happens next?

Exercise 1 - Asking questions of our narratives.

Exercise 2 - The Journey

Exercise 3 - The Plot Machine.

Feedback from participants:

'Inspirational amd practical.'

'Great fun.'

Members £5; Non-members £10

If you require more information either e-mail:
greenacrewriters@gmail.com
or contact:
Rosie (MA Writing) on 020 8346 9449
Lindsay (BA Hons Literature) on 020 8343 7181

GREENACRE WRITING AFTERNOON 17th July 2010 2-5pm

The Greenacre Writers invite you to a Creative Writer’s Afternoon:

POINT OF VIEW
Saturday 17th July
2.00pm - 5.00pm
Finchley,
London N12

Choices have to be made about the narrator of a story, learn how to use various points of view clearly and confidently. The aim of the afternoon is to meet with fellow creative writers, to work on creative writing exercises, share your work to receive supportive criticism and ideas in a friendly and stimulating environment.

Writing exercise 1 - Fairy Stories: Re-writing in First Person
Writing exercise 2 - I Am The Walrus (or indeed anything else)
Refreshments.
Writing exercise 3 - Three in One: All different points of view

Comments from the writing afternoon:

'I found this session instructive and entertaining.'

'Most enjoyable, thank you.'

Creative Writing Afternoon Saturday 8th May 2-5pm

We met at my house in Finchley for the Greenacre Writers Creative Writing Day. The theme was characterisation. We did four exercises which were very useful. The last was one was writing a diary entry as one of your characters. Ellie, my main character, who has psychogenic amnesia, wrote about the first night at her mother's house on the Isle of Wight, how she missed the hospital and felt lonely and frightened.



I was joined by fellow organiser Lindsay; and writing guests Lyn, Linda and Jan (unfortunately two others couldn't make it) . It was great meeting other writers and I especially enjoyed the cakes. It was a very enjoyable afternoon and I came away knowing more about my character and itching to write more.

GREENACRE WRITING AFTERNOON 14th November 2-5pm

The Greenacre Writers invite you to a Creative Writer’s Afternoon:
CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS
Saturday 14th May
2.00pm - 5.00pm
Finchley,
London N12

The aim of the afternoon is to meet with fellow creative writers, to work on creative writing exercises, share your work to receive supportive criticism and ideas in a friendly and stimulating environment.

Writing exercise 1 - Science and poetry
Writing exercise 2 - Random words
Refreshments.
Writing exercise 3 - New shoes for old

Comments from the writing afternoon:

'Very well prepared and supportive. Also good fun.'

'Great for releasing the imagination.'