Exploring: "Date"

Here's an original story I came up with on a whim. I hope it gives you inspiration to write better for your Narratives! I'd imagine it will be titled...

"Date"

She gave the snow globe that she held so gingerly in her hand a swirl, and watched the little pieces of glitter that were supposed to be reminiscent of snow flakes settle to the bottom of the globe. "It will remind you of the time we had in Paris," Laurie thought. She tried to imagine the look on Joe's face if he saw the gift she had gotten him - it could not be more perfect. For weeks, no, months after their return from Paris two winters ago, all that was on their mind was the brilliant display of lights at the Eiffel Tower, and how it left them mesmerized, their head dizzy and bursting with feelings of excitement and fascination. They were in the midst of planning for the next trip when... "Gosh! What time is it? I'm so late!" Laurie snapped out of her reverie and quickly placed the snow globe back into its packaging, a paper bag a shade so golden that would put a bright yellow canary to shame. Yellow. It was Joe's favourite colour, "just because", as he would say. She then put on a dark tweed coat, the one that never failed to receive compliments from Joe whenever she donned it. She took one last glance of herself in the full-length mirror down the hallway and made sure she looked as good as she was protected against London's harsh winters.

Her destination was not too far off where she lived. She gave the iron-wrought gates a gentle nudge. The doors creaked open, a familiar sound that strangely warmed the cockles of her heart.

There he was.

She gave the snow globe she held so gingerly in her hand a swirl, and watched the little pieces of glitter fall, as she set it on the headstone that read "Joseph Millman, Beloved husband, son, friend"

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Happy holidays, folks!

*Unless mentioned, all works and words here belong to the author and may not be reproduced online or in print without first obtaining written permission.

How to Write A Good Story: Natural Phenomena

The sky and clouds, sunrise and sunset, lightning and thunder, wind and rain often inspire good descriptions.

Here's some to start you off with:

a) The sky and clouds

• The high sunlit clouds drifted across the clear blue sky.
• The sky above was full of tumultuous, dark, ragged clouds.
• A sky of mackerel clouds, crimson and amber-tinted
• It was a cold grey afternoon with dull sky threatening rain
• A cloud, ominous and black, drifted over the mountain and released a sudden shower

I'll be giving you more interesting descriptions and phrases in the upcoming classes, covering Sunrise and sunset, Lightning and thunder, Wind and rain, as well as the Moon. Remember to check back!

Ms Chua

*Unless mentioned, all works and words here belong to the author and may not be reproduced online or in print without first obtaining written permission.

How to Write A Good Story: WWWWWH

Often, parents complain that they are at their wits' end with coaching their children on creative writing (Paper 1: Composition). Well, fret not! I'm going to be blogging some guides on how to help your child on writing good stories, and in no time, your child would be passing his/her exams with flying colours!

The 'plot' of a story refers to the events that happen in the story. A good plot keeps readers interested in what happens all the way to the end of the story.

To get started on the story, ask the WWWWWH question words. The WWWWWH question words provide the important basic details for the plot.

WWWWWH stands for:

• who - who was/were the main character(s)?
• what - what happened to him/her/them?
• when - when did the event/events happen?
• where - where did the event/events happen?
• why - why did the event/events happen?
• how - how did the event/events happen?

Time for some brainstorming! Look at the picture below. 

Can you answer the WWWWWH question words?

Adapted from Tao Nan P6 SA11 

For your story, make use of the points below:

• What the two boys were doing
• What the others did
• How it all ended 

Lessons learnt from this post: 

1. at wit's ends 

Fig. at the limits of one's mental resources.  

Example Sentences: 

a. I'm at my wit's end with this problem. I cannot figure it out.
b. Daisy could do no more. He was at his wit's end.

2. fret not 

Inf. Don't worry!; Do not fret about it! 

Example Sentences: 

a. Mary: Oh, look at the clock! I'm going to be late for my appointment!  Bob: Fret not! I'll drive you.  

b. "Fret not!" said Sally. "We're almost there!"

3. in no time (at all) 

very quickly. (Compare this with in less than no time.)  

a. I'll be there in no time. It won't take long. 

b. I'll be finished in no time at all.

4. pass with flying colours 

to pass an examination with a very high score or to complete a difficult activity very successfully  

Example Sentences: 

a. She took her university entrance exam in December and passed with flying colours.
b. The officer training was gruelling, but he came through with flying colours.

Looking forward to your stories!
Ms Chua

*Unless mentioned, all works and words here belong to the author and may not be reproduced online or in print without first obtaining written permission.