Kids who like to write often have trouble finding others in their age group who love to create stories as well. Children's librarians should help budding authors by organizing a creative writing group at the public library. Young writers will receive encouragement from their peers and have the chance to polish their work when they participate in a creative writing group.
Instructions
1. Advertise the writing group for kids in your public library newsletter or calendar. You can also write a press release and submit it to local newspapers. Visit local schools to find students to join the writing group.
2. Post a sign in the library asking for kids to sign up for the writing group. Mention that kids will be able to share their writing with others and eat snacks in the process. Ask potential members to bring a finished piece of creative writing or a work in progress for critique. Decide which day and time would be best for your schedule.
3. Hold your first writing group. Try to reserve a study room in the library so the group can talk, laugh, and not disturb other library patrons. When children or teens get together, they can get a little loud.
4. Ask the writers to brainstorm several words. Write their words on a large notepad or whiteboard. Set a timer for 10 minutes and have the group members quickly write a story using the words. Tell them to not worry about making it perfect, that they should write continuously--even if the story is silly or doesn't make much sense.
5. Ask for volunteers to share what they wrote. Most of the stories will probably be silly, so this will break the ice and allow the group to get more comfortable with each other.
6. Circulate the group members' work so they can critique one another's manuscripts. You have the option of pairing the members up or reading one member's work aloud so that all members can critique the piece.
7. Remind group members that everyone should be respectful to one another. Ask them to begin with positive comments about the story or poem. After they praise the parts of the story they like, they should move on to aspects of the work that need to be improved.
