Planned Parenthood and an Organic Teaching Moment

Planned Parenthood and an Organic Teaching Moment


SHARON’S BLOG

I am sickened and saddened by the news that Planned Parenthood is dealing in baby parts. I imagine you are troubled as well.

Whether they are truly selling them or, as they say, making them available, there is no defense for these actions.

This exposé is an organic teaching moment for us and our teens. How can we help our teens understand what is godly and debunk the “humanitarian” argument? (more…)

Show, Don’t Tell: Emotions in Stories

Show, Don’t Tell: Emotions in Stories


MIDDLE SCHOOL PROMPTS

One of the first rules story writers learn is this: Show, don’t tell.

What does that mean? Check out the following examples to see what I mean.

Show It

When you write a story, try not to tell your readers what your character is feeling, like this:

Jeremy was angry.

Instead, show your character in action, like this: (more…)

Storywriting: Put Your Character into Hot Water, Part 2

Storywriting: Put Your Character into Hot Water, Part 2


HIGH SCHOOL PROMPTS

In a recent tutorial, you practiced plunging your character into hot water with two powerful methods many writers use. You can find that prompt here.

This week you’ll examine three more methods of getting your main character deep into a story. As Stanley Elkin reveals, “I would never write about someone who is not at the end of his rope.” (more…)

Storywriting: Put Your Character into Hot Water, Part 1

Storywriting: Put Your Character into Hot Water, Part 1


HIGH SCHOOL PROMPTS

You have an idea for a story but don’t know how to get it going. Or you would like to write a story but are out of ideas.

When you write a story, you have to throw a lot of things at your main character, things he or she would rather not have to deal with. In this prompt, you’ll learn two proven methods to get ideas and plunge your character into hot water. In this prompt, you’ll explore three more. (more…)

Writing in Summer?

Writing in Summer?


SHARON’S BLOG

It’s summer. A sweet breeze of relief flows through the family tree and tickles the leaves. You hear a child giggle.

But you’ve worked hard on this year’s writing classes, and you want to make sure that your children’s writing skills don’t completely deteriorate during summer vacation. What can you do?

Summer is fun, and your children’s summertime writing activities can be fun for them and for you as well. Otherwise, it’s not really summer!

The most important feature of writing in summer is (more…)