At Extension Writing today, the group welcomed Alex and Sam who have joined us from Room 8.  The sharing of each other's writing today managed to scare us, inspire us and challenge us.  What a talented group of writers we have!  Here are some beginnings so far...

A patch of blue shone out of the sea of gray. Light fell through the gap in the impenetrable wall of clouds making the canyon glow orange in the late afternoon. The rocks stood like the towers of an ancient temple. The forest of pillars, a barren rocky landscape. Life was near impossible. But it went on. (Oscar)

Showers of bird calls bounced of the roof of the shack like little pebbles. Adoni sat on the crate outside embracing the warm breeze blowing past. (Tabi)

A dark presence pushed itself upon my mind sending daggers of psychic force burrowing into my very being. (Finn)

We also have 2 groups of students writing screenplays - they successfully wrote the script for the upcoming School Production and now feel inspired to not only write another screenplay, but they want to produce and direct it as well! Can't wait to have a progress update from them!

I love writing. 

I love the swirl and swing of words 
as they tangle with human emotions. 

~James Michener

Competitions closing soon

Remember that TWO competitions close this month.

Top Outdoor Spot Competition

Submit a photo of your favourite outdoor spot (don't include people in your photo) and a description or poem about what makes it special. Use only 60 quality words!  
Click here to see previous entries 

Two Prizes: one for best photo and one for best description.  All entries are published on line. 

Win a 20L Dash Backpack and $100 book voucher for the school.  

Final submission date: 14 March                 

More Details Here.

2014 Takahē Magazine Short Story Competition

FIRST PRIZE: $250, $200 book voucher and publication in Takahē 

SECOND PRIZE: $100 and $100 book voucher 

Two runners up will receive one year's free subscription to Takahē

Closing date: 15 March 2014 

Link to Takahe Competition

http://www.takahe.org.nz/competitions/TakaheShortStoryContest2014.pdf

Speed Date an Author

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Six students, Carlos, Florence, Maia, Barnaby, Nadia and  Lachlan, spent the morning speed-dating  five authors! The students spent 20 minutes with each author, learning about a key aspect of writing.

Nadia has generously share her notes with us.  

Nadia's Speed Date An Author Notes

Trip to Writers' Week Seminar

The Extension Writing students went to a seminar for Writers' Week which was part of Wellington's International Festival of the Arts.  The seminar was led by writer and lecturer, James Brown with contributions from some students from the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University.  

James and the University students shared their writing and demonstrated how a collaborative editing session works.

James Brown, Russell & Freya

Rebecca and Claire

There was a lot of new learning for us including how effective feedback from others can give us different perspectives on our own work and how we should always encourage and value imagination.  It can be challenging but fun to force your imagination to work hard!

Thanks to our parent helpers who made this visit possible!