8/17/2023

Come and Learn Creative Writing �with Kelly Yang the author of The Front Desk series!

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What Makes Someone a Writer?

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Writing Brain Dump!

• Take a few moments and write down what comes into your mind when you think about the word writing.
• What IS writing?
• What do you love about writing?
• What do you hate about writing?
• What is intimidating?
• What is fun?
• What do you think of when you hear the words, “creative writing?”

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Who Can Be a Writer?

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YOU!

(Insert your name here.)

Mia Tang

• If you haven’t read The Front Desk series (and you should, it’s awesome!), it’s time you’re introduced to its main character Mia Tang.
• Here are a few things you should know about Mia:
• She immigrated to the U.S. from China.
• She runs the front desk of a motel.
• She lives really close to Disneyland, but has never been!
• Her mom thinks she should study math, but Mia DESPERATELY wants to be a writer, because she loves it.

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Mia’s Class Writing Example

Mrs. Douglas is having her students write a short story:

“Remember, show, not tell! Write what you feel, kids,” Mrs. Douglas announced to the class. “If you’re mad, write mad. If you’re sad or worried, write sad and worried.”

I was all those things…But when I put my pencil down onto the paper, do you know what marched onto the page? Puppies and houses.

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Writing Exercise

Sometimes starting with a story can be challenging, so instead, let’s start with a writing exercise.

1. Generate a list of all the emotions that come to mind. If you think the word happy or sad, try to think of a stronger word to describe it (ie: happy: jubilant)

2. Now, circle three of those words.

3. Next to one of the words, write an example of something that comes to mind with that emotion.

4. Keep the same protocol with the other two words.

5. Choose one of the scenarios you thought of and write a short paragraph about the scene that happens with the emotion. How can you show the feelings that are happening instead of just telling them?

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Writing Supports (Optional) ��Example List: enraged, content, joyful, surprise, terror, relief��1. surprise: birthday gifts, someone jumping out from behind a door, a door banging loudly�2. relief: sinking onto the couch after a long day, knowing your family is there, a promise that everything is ok.�3. joyful: a new pet is joining the family, your favorite show’s new season is on streaming, ice cream!�

Joyful

Linden was on pins and needles as she waited for her parents in the car. She could barely see them at the far end of the parking lot. It had been just their luck that her family had been at the grocery store the same day a lady was GIVING AWAY puppies! Linden had been begging her parents for a pet for as long as she could remember. Now that she was 10, her dad said she was old enough to be responsible and care for a dog. Linden glanced over her shoulder, and saw her parents heading her way. A tufted brown ear poked out from her dad’s arm. Before she knew it, her parents had climbed into the back of the van with her, and laid the puppy in her arms. She smoothed the silky fur, feeling more joy that she could ever remember.

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Check Out Key

On the slip of given paper, respond to the following today:

• 3 things you learned today
• 2 things you found interesting
• 1 question you still have

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