Flash Fiction Writing Retreat

Wellington Prep School welcomed over 140 pupils from 22 local Primary Schools to a Flash Fiction Writing Retreat. 

Children from  schools around the region turned out for a morning of workshops and rehearsals, before performing a dazzling array of their own compositions to a thrilled audience!

Throughout the morning, the children worked with professional writers and editors from the publishing industry and the Golden Egg Academy. Each child was given individual time to work on their writing and these experts explained how the publishing industry works. They also had a live skype session with the author of the successful Brightstorm and Wildspark, Vashti Hardy (recently shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book of the Year award).

There was a tremendous atmosphere of excitement and anticipation, as children created a story plan, invented characters, crafted a plot, edited their writing and chatted to Vashti on skype

It was tremendously exciting to have such an array of fantastic authors from so many schools coming along – there is some serious talent around and we feel privileged to have been able to showcase some of it.  Hopefully, their passion for writing has been fuelled and they will continue to create astonishing stories and charismatic characters.

So, to help them with that, we have the next stage of our Writing Challenge all set up…

We also launched our own 500 words  Flash fiction / story-writing competition and we invited submissions from as many Year 5 and 6 children as possible.

 

Aims

Provide writing opportunities for local school and children

Present innovative and exciting literary exercises

Promote team work and collaboration

Background

February 2020 - first time - will be rolled out again 

Resources

Held on Wellington School premises, using teaching and non-teaching staff

20 hours preparation

4 hour session on the day

5 hours follow up and administration

No financial contribution required

Refreshments provided

Pupil Involvement

Year 5-6 children

Full involvement

 

Frequency

Single event, but die to its success, will be rolled out annually

 

Followed up with 500 Words Writing competition