All About English Creative Writing

[ChiefKiasu]

manorway\" post_id=\"2047479\" time=\"1637642977\" user_id=\"9303:

But Chief, I think creativity can be taught in a way, or maybe taught is not the right word, but one can be influenced to become more creative. First of all, I think too many kids and even parents in Singapore are fearful of making mistakes. And when we fear, we stick to what we already know. So how to be creative? To be original means we must be willing to do whatever that has not been done yet.

It's just like driving. Schools can teach you the mechanics of how to drive. But where you want to drive to, or how you want to drive, depends on yourself.

We may be able to read Asimov's science fiction or enjoy the Lord of the Rings. We may even be able to learn to write in the same manner as the original authors. But for us to come up with the next chapter... that is just not possible, because we lack the experiences and imagination that only these authors possess.

For example, the son of Frank Herbert came up with some stories about Chapterhouse Dune to try to carry on his father's stories, but I've never read any of it. To me, the story ended with the death of the writer.

My advise is for kids to learn how to write, and then proceed to use those skills to pen down their imaginations so as to make them come alive and vivid. That is truly what creative writing is all about.

[manorway]

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2047485\" time=\"1637644629\" user_id=\"3:

manorway\" post_id=\"2047479\" time=\"1637642977\" user_id=\"9303:

But Chief, I think creativity can be taught in a way, or maybe taught is not the right word, but one can be influenced to become more creative. First of all, I think too many kids and even parents in Singapore are fearful of making mistakes. And when we fear, we stick to what we already know. So how to be creative? To be original means we must be willing to do whatever that has not been done yet.

It's just like driving. Schools can teach you the mechanics of how to drive. But where you want to drive to, or how you want to drive, depends on yourself.

We may be able to read Asimov's science fiction or enjoy the Lord of the Rings. We may even be able to learn to write in the same manner as the original authors. But for us to come up with the next chapter... that is just not possible, because we lack the experiences and imagination that only these authors possess.

For example, the son of Frank Herbert came up with some stories about Chapterhouse Dune to try to carry on his father's stories, but I've never read any of it. To me, the story ended with the death of the writer.

My advise is for kids to learn how to write, and then proceed to use those skills to pen down their imaginations so as to make them come alive and vivid. That is truly what creative writing is all about.

Yes. Writing is a skill, so we learn the how-to, have the courage to express our ideas, and then we must practise and hone to master.

[sharonkhoo]

manorway\" post_id=\"2047476\" time=\"1637642792\" user_id=\"9303:

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2047436\" time=\"1637629518\" user_id=\"28674:

I just got them to write - any style, any content, any length, any form - stories, journals, playscripts, jokes, whatever. I didn't \"correct\" them so much as point out some areas of improvement, spelling/grammar issues, etc. Very much a learn-as-you-go way. We \"self-published\" as well - in earlier years, I would type out their writing and share with grandparents, cousins, friends, etc. Later, they did it themselves by setting up their own blogs, or just wrote stuff for fun, etc.

My younger girl returned to Sg for a few months to take PSLE before continuing her education overseas for another 1.5yrs. We both wept and wailed at the PSLE compo requirements, but found a reasonable compromise between what seemed to be the cookie-cutter way of dealing with PSLE compos and our personal inclinations! So yes, I am fairly horrified by what I hear about how \"creative\" writing is taught in schools and enrichment centres here. It's one way, I suppose, but not a way I like.

I totally love this. Agree. I like to think that if we get kids to just write freely as often as possible, writing to express ideas will get easier. This does not mean they are ready for exams. So if we want them to score, then we just teach them what to tweak and present as narrative stories to satisfy exam requirements, it is OK. But if right from the start, the focus is just memorise the standard lines and produce the same piece as my classmates, it will take away the joy of learning to write. It is just memorising how to score. I know some parents just want to score though, that is why centres exist and thrive.

Something wrong with the quote markers in the post above? Attributed to the wrong people!

[manorway]

I totally agree with simkhoo. I like to think that if we get kids to just write freely as often as possible, writing to express ideas will get easier. This does not mean they are ready for exams. So if we want them to score, then we just teach them what to tweak and present as narrative stories to satisfy exam requirements, it is OK. But if right from the start, the focus is just memorise the standard lines and produce the same piece as my classmates, it will take away the joy of learning to write. It is just memorising how to score. I know some parents just want to score though, that is why centres exist and thrive.

[manorway]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2047493\" time=\"1637647578\" user_id=\"28674:

manorway\" post_id=\"2047476\" time=\"1637642792\" user_id=\"9303:

[quote=slmkhoo post_id=2047436 time=1637629518 user_id=28674] I just got them to write - any style, any content, any length, any form - stories, journals, playscripts, jokes, whatever. I didn't \"correct\" them so much as point out some areas of improvement, spelling/grammar issues, etc. Very much a learn-as-you-go way. We \"self-published\" as well - in earlier years, I would type out their writing and share with grandparents, cousins, friends, etc. Later, they did it themselves by setting up their own blogs, or just wrote stuff for fun, etc.

My younger girl returned to Sg for a few months to take PSLE before continuing her education overseas for another 1.5yrs. We both wept and wailed at the PSLE compo requirements, but found a reasonable compromise between what seemed to be the cookie-cutter way of dealing with PSLE compos and our personal inclinations! So yes, I am fairly horrified by what I hear about how \"creative\" writing is taught in schools and enrichment centres here. It's one way, I suppose, but not a way I like.

I totally love this. Agree. I like to think that if we get kids to just write freely as often as possible, writing to express ideas will get easier. This does not mean they are ready for exams. So if we want them to score, then we just teach them what to tweak and present as narrative stories to satisfy exam requirements, it is OK. But if right from the start, the focus is just memorise the standard lines and produce the same piece as my classmates, it will take away the joy of learning to write. It is just memorising how to score. I know some parents just want to score though, that is why centres exist and thrive.

Something wrong with the quote markers in the post above? Attributed to the wrong people![/quote]Yes. Oops. Sorry. I edited.

[Zeal mummy]

manorway\" post_id=\"2047500\" time=\"1637648213\" user_id=\"9303:

I totally agree with simkhoo. I like to think that if we get kids to just write freely as often as possible, writing to express ideas will get easier. This does not mean they are ready for exams. So if we want them to score, then we just teach them what to tweak and present as narrative stories to satisfy exam requirements, it is OK. But if right from the start, the focus is just memorise the standard lines and produce the same piece as my classmates, it will take away the joy of learning to write. It is just memorising how to score. I know some parents just want to score though, that is why centres exist and thrive.

Agree with you both on this.

& Always encourage our children to try and not be fearful of making mistakes. Practice makes perfect.

[tracychew]

I have to agree with the exam bits… I started out wanting my kids to explore "free" writing but once the PSLE year came it was all exam preparation. Thank god those days are over. Until today she still shudders at the thought of compo writing… But she still enjoys journaling and I see that her writing there is quite good, without the exam pressure.


Oops mummy is not supposed to peek at her diary haha…

[Liew Nga Wing]

tracychew\" post_id=\"2050304\" time=\"1638433477\" user_id=\"143434:

I have to agree with the exam bits.. I started out wanting my kids to explore \"free\" writing but once the PSLE year came it was all exam preparation. Thank god those days are over. Until today she still shudders at the thought of compo writing.. But she still enjoys journaling and I see that her writing there is quite good, without the exam pressure.

Oops mummy is not supposed to peek at her diary haha..

Do you kids know that you peek at their diary?

[tracychew]

Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=\"2050323\" time=\"1638439991\" user_id=\"195250:[quote=\"Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=2050323 time=1638439991 user_id=195250]
Do you kids know that you peek at their diary?[/quote]

Thanks for the question. I guess if you read it literally, I can understand you think I am a crazy mummy invading my kids privacy and then talking about it online...... :imdrowning: :?:

So let me explain how I \"peek\" at her diary..
She started the journal as an exercise with a teacher to put her thoughts down into words since she was 9.
She often shares the diary with me.. I do not read it when she doesn't share..

So yes.. She knows..

I am sorry if I raised any concerns.. :slapshead:

[Liew Nga Wing]

tracychew\" post_id=\"2050362\" time=\"1638453635\" user_id=\"143434:

Thanks for the question. I guess if you read it literally, I can understand you think I am a crazy mummy invading my kids privacy and then talking about it online...... :imdrowning: :?:

So let me explain how I \"peek\" at her diary..
She started the journal as an exercise with a teacher to put her thoughts down into words since she was 9.
She often shares the diary with me.. I do not read it when she doesn't share..

So yes.. She knows..

I am sorry if I raised any concerns.. :slapshead:

You are a great mother and I just curious only.
When I was small, I liked reading and writing detective stories but my parents never read what I wrote