Friday, September 24, 2010

September 28, 2010

Writing Fiction
1.  Bell-Ringer:
a. Responding to a painting
b. Begin listing all the books (novels/chapter books) you've read -- in your composition book.  Label it with today's date. 

Problems in Fiction/Conflict
What are problems we have seen in fiction?

"The successful writer of fiction creates a world, one so complete, plausible, and seamless that readers slip into its rhythms and feel as if they live in the text."   

". . . most published novels and short stories are about two things: a particular person or group of people, and the particular problems that one or more of them are facing."  -- Nancy Atwell p. 21 in Lessons That Change Writers

problem, difficulty, challenge, conflict

2.  In your composition book create a list of "Problems in Published Fiction"

"What about a chocolate factory that makes fantastic and marvelous things -- with a crazy man running it?"
   -- note Roald Dahl wrote to himself about a "what if" idea for a story.

3. Read part of a short story, looking for conflict
4. Time to work on writing a short story.
Next time we will spend some time in the computer lab, typing short stories. 


Conflict in Published Literature:

Eragon – hiding the dragon
Fablehaven I and II  --  some of the magical creatures are trying to take over
39 Clues – family conflict – trying to find the treasure
Maximum Ride –  the kids are trying to stay free from the scientists
Lightning Thief – Zeus vs bolt thief
Percy Jackson – free someone from an ogre
Inkheart – where you want to be – story people caught in reality and real people caught in a book
Among the Hidden – family trying to protect their child from population  police
The Host – aliens vs. humans
Princess of the Midnight Ball – curse –
Sun and Moon and Ice and Snow – wanting to stay home, but being taken away
Gathering Blue – village – girl alone – they won’t let her live in the village
Twilight – Bella vs. James
Fever – fever killing people
The Tale of Desparo – saving the Princess
Tail of Emily Windsnap – getting her dad back
Goose Girl – she is betrayed, has to get crown back
The Golden Compass – cutting away the children's "souls"
Fearless Fourteen – guy stole 9 million dollars – police trying to get money back
Uglies – whether or not to be turned into pretty – whether or not to betray
Diary of a Wimpy Kid – problems with brother, with school, embarrassing
Just Ella – she doesn’t like the prince!
Spiderwick – goblins  vs. humans
Heartbeat -

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