Build a Plot: Collaborative Creative Writing Fun For 5

Welcome to Build a Plot! In this class, each of you will supply one aspect of a short story idea from a random book you bring to class with you! After putting each element together, creative writing magic happens and a story is born.

Let me explain.

I will put everyone's name into a wheel. If you are chosen, you will use your book to contribute one of the following (and show us on camera!):
1) the title of your book will be the title of the short story we'll write
2) the first line of your book will be the first line of our story
3) the first name you see on page 82 will be our main character
4) the first place you see on page 12 will be our setting
5) the last line of your book will be the last line of the story
Finally, my contribution will be a random line of dialogue to incorporate in the story somewhere.
(If we have less than 5 learners in class, we will fill in what's missing.)

Now that we have these story elements, it's time to write! You should have about 20 minutes to put these pieces together and hopefully come up with a story. Whatever time is left over will be used to share our stories, which is completely voluntary, by the way.

*You can see how this will play out in my class video!*

5 THINGS TO KNOW:
1) What kind of book do I need to bring?
Any kind from "Green Eggs and Ham" to "War and Peace" and everything in between. But keep it family friendly please.
2) Does it have to be a physical book or can it be on a Kindle?
Physical books are preferred but digital works too.
3) What if I wanted to pick the title but I'm chosen for the main character? Can I switch?
Sorry, the wheel has spoken, and we must obey it.
4) What if I can't come up with a story because none of these things go together and whose idea was this anyway?
Don't overthink it. We're not here to write the next bestseller. I won't be grading your story or marking it up with a red pen. Have fun with it! Silly is good. Inconsistencies and nonsense are fine. Embrace the randomness.
5) Do I have to share my story?
Nope. But if you'd still like to share without reading it, you can pop it in the chat or post it after class.

Schedule:
This class meets weekly, but every week is brand new. If you come back the following week (and I hope you do) bring a different book with you. We'll do it all again with five new--and equally random--story elements. Join in at any time!

Questions? Send me a message!