22.6.2008

Today was our last session at the Oxford Bookstore. Richa discussed Story Starters (everytime she discusses A story starter or a plot setting or a monologue or whatever, I itch to write something myself. Richa, where were you when I was twelve?)

Anyway, Richa started off with talking about the "hook" to a story- a story needs to begin in a way that the reader wants to know more. In other words, the story must be gripping and ensnare the reader.

Richa talked about ideas and how one is always influenced by the television and the newspapers and how incidents can act as "triggers" to our thought process. "The best way to learn is to eavesdrop on a conversation" she said. "For instance, when you're on a bus and you hear people talking amongst themselves and for some reason,you cannot follow the entire conversation, that is where your imagination comes into play."

Then Richa made the kids write down the word "red" and asked them to jot down anything that came to their heads. One little boy quipped, "But does the hook have to tell the rest of the story?" when Richa explained that "The hook element in the story is extremely important but it does not have to do with the central theme of the story. The fact that it is connected to the story is sufficient."

Then she made the kids write down a story with lines Beginning with Fortunately and Unfortunately and in my opinion, some of the kids did a fantastic job. I'll be putting them up on the site as well, so those of you that are interested and go and have a look.

The last exercise involved the children writing a story with the name of a place, the name of some kind of food, the name of an Author, the name of a Song, the name of a Car and a dialogue.

All the exercises were group activities and the session which began at 4 p.m ended at 6 p.m.

There are going to be more Workshops so please do keep checking this space. Members will be mailed as and when workshops are held.

Reeti Roy