Words Out West
Summer Reading Club
Web conference with Children's author Andy Griffiths
(1).jpg)
A group of kids had fun asking questions popular children’s author Andy Griffiths at the Summer Reading Club web conference on Thursday 22nd December at Orange City Library. Here are some things you may like to know about Andy:
Andy started writing at age five with a get well card for his father – “Get well soon or you’ll be doomed”! Andy likes writing the opposite to what would be expected eg. Have a revolting Christmas
Just Tricking started as a set of instructions of how to play practical jokes and he began making little 12 page booklets and selling them around the Melbourne Markets, then he found a publisher who wanted the book developed into stories with characters who played practical jokes.
When writing he:
• Sometimes writes backwards – starts with an ending and then writes the story
• Uses all his growing up experiences – where he lived, his school, friends – Danny and Lisa (who he had a crush on)
• He believes if he uses real life situations as the basis for his stories that they are more believable
• Confines the number of characters to 2 or 3 main people
Click here for more writing tips and words of advice from Andy he shared during the web conference.
It’s going to be Amazing! Keep reading right through Summer
Join Central West Libraries Summer Reading Club from now until January 25 when we join in a whole host of fun reading based activities and this includes Blayney, Canowindra, Cowra, Forbes, Molong, Manildra and Orange libraries. The National Year of Reading begins in 2012 and January’s theme is Amazing. So the Summer Reading Club has taken this on board with “The Amazing Read”.
Developed and hosted by the State Library of Queensland, in partnership with ALIA, PLAC, and other state and public libraries, The Amazing Read aims to keep children reading right through Summer.
Join in the Summer Reading Club program at your local library, or explore the amazing features of the Summer Reading website www.summerreadingclub.org.au to keep children entertained all holidays.
The website includes activities for pre-schoolers, primary and secondary age children, and there are games, opportunities to write book raves, learn how to draw manga and tips for creative writing.
How to join in the Summer Reading Club:
•Register with the Summer Reading Club at your local Library
•Read books to be in the running to win local prizes
•Join in the online activities at www.summerreadingclub.org.au
Most of all, have fun reading.
Summer activities: Film, radio, street theatre
Arts OutWest announces a program of FREE school holiday activities for 12-24 year olds.
There’s the Summer Film Clubs in Cowra, Blayney, Orange, Molong and Forbes. Grenfell will host street theatre and film making. Oberon has a three-day radio introduction workshop with AFTRS.
Summer Film Club: Up to six workshops in each town held over three weeks. Fun. Fast paced. Short film making. Using simple technology to tell stories. Storyboard and shoot videos. Upload them to web. Ages: 12-25 Cost: FREE
COWRA
Dates: Mondays & Tuesdays January 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 & 24
Times: 10am - 1pm
Venue: 5 Vaux St (Meeting room in Family Support Building) Cowra
BLAYNEY
Dates: Mondays & Tuesdays January 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 & 24
Times: 2:30 - 5:30pm
Venue: CentrePoint Leisure Centre Scout Hall, Blayney
ORANGE
Dates: Wednesdays & Thursdays January 11, 12, 18, 19 & 25
Times: 2:30 - 5:30pm
Venue: Senior Citizens Centre, 77 Kite St Orange
MOLONG
Dates: Wednesdays & Thursdays January 11, 12, 18, 19 & 25
Times: 10am - 1pm
Venue: Mitchell Room, Bank St Molong
FORBES
Dates: Fridays January 13, 20 & 27
Times: 10am - 2pm
Venue: Mezzanine Style, Rankin Street Forbes
Bookings/ info:
For more information contact Zoe Rodwell at Arts OutWest on 6338 6586 (leave a message) or email zrodwell@yahoo.com.au
The YAOW Film Club workshops are funded through a grant from Arts NSW.
AFTRS Radio Introduction in Oberon
With AFTRS Open (Australian Film Television and Radio School) and in conjunction with High Top Fm. Basic radio skills and creating a radio show. FREE.
When: In the week of January 16. 3 day workshop.
Venue: At High Top fm and Oberon Christian Life Centre Hall both in OBERON
Cost: FREE
Bookings/ info:
For more information contact Zoe Rodwell at Arts OutWest on 6338 6586 (leave a message) or email zrodwell@yahoo.com.au
For all workshop details check www.facebook.com/artsoutwest
This workshops is funded through a grant from Arts NSW.
Street Theatre and Film Making in Grenfell
Street Theatre (mornings) and Film Making (afternoons) for 12-20 year olds. Open to residents of the Weddin Shire.
When: January 17-20
Venue: Grenfell Public School, GRENFELL
Info and bookings: See the facebook event for more info
These workshops are funded by the NSW government though Arts NSW and the TAFE ArtStart program.
Tips for Young Writers
1. Read, read and read. Read everything you can: signs, cereal boxes, newspapers, magazines, comics, CD covers/inserts, movie reviews, and books, anything and everything. It’s true, the more you read – the better you will write. All good writers read and talk about what they are reading. Have you joined your local library? It’s free.
2. Keep a writer’s notebook – this is the place to write down all your ideas and stories. It can also be a place where you keep postcards, lists of favourite songs or bands, tickets, photos, family history, cards, pressed flowers – whatever you like - it might give you an idea for your next story and carry your notebook with you.
3. Create a space at home, in the bedroom, playroom, study or corner of the loungeroom to write. It doesn’t have to be a large space, just a table top with room for your notebook, pad of paper and pot for pencils, crayons or pens.
4. Get writing. Write in your notebook, write letters, keep a diary, send postcards, make up stories, and try writing poetry or song lyrics.
5. Keep writing. Use your senses: what is your favourite view/colour/sight, food/taste, smell, touch, sound/song?
6. Have fun. You can write about your name, family, pet, car, house, yard, school – whatever you like. And anything can happen – aliens, floods, overgrown plants, crime, giant gold fish, time machines, romance, make up your own country…….
7. Make sure your story has a place, one main character and maybe two other characters, think of three amazing and exciting things that you want to happen. Create a problem for your character that they have to overcome. Start in the middle of the action and make sure you have an ending too. If you get stuck ask yourself “What if?” What if the alien could talk backwards? What if the alien only ate chocolate ice cream? What if he couldn’t tell you that and you had to figure it out? What if? What if? And if you have a problem finding an end to the story then sometimes it helps to re-read the beginning and include something from that at the end. So in the beginning of the story the alien may have had a bellyache from no ice cream and in the end you were helping him recover from a bellyache because he ended up eating too much ice cream.
8. Look for writing competitions to enter. Remember to follow the competition rules. For example, each year the Central West Writers’ Centre runs the Banjo Paterson Writing Awards. These are announced on the anniversary of Banjo’s birthday – 17 February and close in April with winners announced in June. If you would like an entry form please email writing@orange.nsw.gov.au or phone 6393 8125.
9. Read your story aloud (even if it is just to yourself) to make sure all the words flow. If you stumble over a word, you may need to change it.
10. Check your spelling and punctuation.
Tips for young journalists
For young writers interested in journalism read a range of newspapers - not just your local paper, try writing stories, practice interviewing your family and friends, write film or CD reviews for your school newsletter, become a publicity officer for your local social or sporting group and write letters to the editor to newspapers and express your opinion. Always check your facts (if you are not sure double check) and your spelling. Have someone else read over it too. And learn to type.
Vibewire opportunity
Vibewire.net is a project of non-profit youth media and arts organisation Vibewire Inc and is designed to provide young Australians with a forum where they can comment on matters relevant to their lives In our society where the local media is inaccessible to most young people, vibewire.net seeks to offer an alternative channel for youth expression, for those who are creative, political, or just plain interested. Their goal is to engage young people in active citizenship through their involvement with local arts, culture, politics, current affairs, poetry, fiction, ideas and beliefs. The website is run for youth by youth and relies on your participation and active involvement to work. You can submit an article, write blogs, or provide Vibewire with images, video or podcast material. Go to www.vibewire.net
Good Reading Launches SpineOut
Good Reading magazine has released a new online publication called SpineOut specially for Young Adults. There are competitions, reviews by students, tips and advice on serious issues as well as pages with random, entertaining information that YAs will enjoy.
SpineOut aims to encourage and showcase the creative talents of YAs throughout Australia - for more information or to submit a little creativity visit www.spineout.com.au
The Central West Writers' Centre is assisted by the NSW Government through Arts NSW.
