Your tips on planning and writing SHORT stories (yr6)

[roisin]

DS1 is becoming increasingly frustrated with 'finish this story' as homework. His writing is very good, but it is very long. So he might, for example, write 4 pages which is the prologue or introduction; then another 4 pages which is the first chapter - ending on a suitable cliffhanger. But usually into the second chapter he's run out of time/energy/motivation.

Now, I know this is way too long for what he is expected to do, and his plots are way too complex.

But so far I have failed in my efforts to persuade him to produce something far shorter and simpler when required for school purposes.

He can do a short piece of writing when required; it's just stories that he can't do in a suitable concise format.

Any ideas?

Hey that's OK Seeker - no apology needed!
I'm going to try your suggestion of giving him a strict time-limit per 5-para structure, and see what he comes up with.

Do you have any other tips/suggestions that worked for your dd?

Roision I was thinking of you and your ds1 at 2:30 thismorning (don'task).It is a difficult skill - way more tricky that epic novels.

Can you introduce him to short stories by established novelists? ThinkingRoald Dahl (choose carefully fromhis adult short stories), Joan Aitken (Baba Yaga's Daughter from Kingdom under the sea is magnificent - you do need Jan pienkowski's illustrations to really make it though.....). All equally thrilling, descriptive, etc.

Wasn't there a competition on the Tude some years ago where stories were written in 50 words? Not exactly what you are wanting but may give a challenge to get his teeth into.

I willtry to remember to bring somestuff homefromworktomorrow

sorry for bananaskeyboard.....

50wordstories to give you an idea.

Not suggestingthat this is how to do it. Just might give ds1 a challenge (sounds like the kind of boy who might like one - fast forward my ds1 in 5 years time......) which may get himmotivated to write shorter stories

any update roisin?