Narrative Online Session

Welcome, to the first Writing Club, online session!

I’m supposed to teach the seventh grade members about Narrative writing, but since we’ve done so already in class just think of this as a review.

Anyway, Narrative writing, you can see it’s the adjective form from the word ‘narrate’ which means to tell a story. So a narrative piece of writing is a type of writing that tells the events of something that has happened, like telling a story but in written form.

Unlike the other genres of writing, I think narrative is a more free genre. Narrative writings can be about anything, fictional or real, and don’t really have to imply a certain message in the story. As long as it’s entertaining and skillfully written, anyone will want to read it.

I’ve been asked to give some suggestions on how to write good narratives, but I’m not sure what to say because I just sort of picked it up suddenly myself. Here are four main points that I’ve done:

1) Read a lot. Narrative writings are stories that can be found anywhere. Like in biographies about someone else’s life, fairytale, short stories, and the all-time favorite: novels. Each novel author has their own type of stories they like to write (humorous, romantic, adventurous, etc) and have their own style of writing. I suggest you start reading novels (in English of course) and see how they get their ideas/ stories across and find your own style of writing. It’ll help work on you grammar and vocab too.

2) Practice writing a lot. Write about anything, even short paragraphs to help develop your skills. Soon you’ll find that the words will just flow out with ease and you’ll be writing like machine in no time, with great grammar and vocab to boot. But don’t write because you feel obligated too, like it’s a long chore. Right from the heart and enjoy it, otherwise the writing will become mundane and a difficultly long process. If you get stuck, think about the 5 writing steps we learned in class. First brainstorm on what you want to write about. Then expand that along with the characters and scene and plan each paragraph/chapter/scene you want to write about in order.

3) Ask for feedback. When you’ve got an essay done ask someone to help edit mistakes and give comment on the storyline. With other people’s insight and criticism, you’ll be able to improve.

4) Use a lot of IMAGINATION (and remember of Spongebob every time you do). To get a lot out of your writing, you’ll need to be able to make up a good plot, interesting characters and breath-taking settings, all elements that make up a good narrative which I’ll explain next.

Elements of Narrative Writing: (again we’ve done this before in class)

1) The Plot/Storyline: of course to tell a good story, there must be a good plot. A plot is what happens in the story, the events that take place. Simply put, there are three parts: the beginning, middle and end to each story. But don’t just take that as it is. You can expand the middle into various scenes, and add some twists and turns to make the readers eager to read on and make it more interesting. To come up with a good plot, you need a lot of IMAGINATION. We’re advised to tell the story in a sequential order from beginning to end, but I don’t think we should every time. Now, don’t get this confused. If you’re writing on a particular paragraph, you do want to keep the events in order. But if you’re writing different scenes or different chapters, skillfully placing the order of things can put in more surprise (like in mystery novels that seem to go in order and then at the end it jumps back to the past when the crime happen and summing up what happened and revealing who the villain is all in a nutshell adding more surprise and suspense). In between all that, there is the climax, the main scene that happens in the main plot (like the final battle in a war, the final duel between the antagonist and protagonist) If you still don’t get it, you could think of a plot as the ‘What?’ in a Narrative.

There is a thing some call the subplot, which may be small events or things done by more minor characters that are parallel to the main plot which at some point converge and add to the overall plot and make room for character development.

2) Characters: If there’s a what, then characters are the ‘Who?’ in a narrative story. It’s a good idea to make these character seem a little realistic (though you could give them wings or a tail or something), and not make them exactly perfect. Everyone has their strengths and flaws, and reading about realistic characters will help readers relate to the story and learn from what they do or how they deal with their issues or personalities. If you have difficulty making characters, simply take a look at the people around you. Everyone in this world is different and unique and you can use the traits or looks or image of a person you know as the base for your story character(s).

3) Settings: Here’s the ‘when’ and ‘where’ in a narrative. Settings are where the story takes place and when it takes place as well. For the time, you don’t have to put in the exact date or time, but make sure you know when something happened and how long it took. For where, it can be as imaginative as you want, but then you’d just have to explain the places in more detail so the readers know what the place is like and make it seem real. There’s third part of a setting and it’s the atmosphere of the story, at least in a particular scene. (like when you’re on an exotic island and then in a ruins of the jail, the chance of scene also calls for a change of atmosphere)

Of course, there is such a thing as realistic, narrative. A made up narrative story that is plausible to happen in real life. If your angle is making a realistic novel

And that’s basically it in a nutshell. And you’re probably half-asleep from reading this boring explanation, but trust me, when I’m talking/teaching, I always shorten and serve my ideas in the simplest, most compact way possible.

THE ASSIGNMENT:

Yudhi asked me to make the topic about self-discovery stuff like that, but seeing how that’s a bit boring, I decided to give a little fun twist to it. I’ll emphasize again, that Narrative writing is a more free, imaginative style so feel free to write about what you want, or if you want to stick to Yudhi’s ‘self-discovery’ theme.

So the big topic is: TIME TRAVEL.

A nice topic I think, not to broad but not to constrictive, but I think it’ll help call upon your powers of imagination. The main character doesn’t have to be you, it can be any character you come up with, and so do the other elements. Just write as much and as freely as you want.

If you’re lost here are a few ideas:

A) If you want to write about you and jump aboard the ‘self-discovery’ train, then the main character should be you, in every sense of the word. You might want to jump to the future (in some way, be creative, like you made a time-machine or something) and meet your future self and reflect on you future plans/goals. Do things work out the way you it to? Or maybe things went a different path and are surprisingly more fulfilling?

B) If you want to go full out imaginative, not much I can help you with there, because you’re using your own imagination. Some tips about the plot though, just make sure it sounds a bit realistic and not too out there, but even if it seems impossible at least give a reason why it could be possible. Throw in an amazing character and you’re good to go. Don’t forget to picture the past, present, future settings and describe them well. And if you want, in you plot you could throw in the term ‘time paradox’. Don’t know what it is? Look it up, cuz it’ll take while to explain it here.

Anyways, that’s it. Happy Writing! J

(Here's a little funny for all your trouble reading this)

Signed,

Sir Writes-A-Lot

Narrative, Narrative, Narrative...

So this past week of mine has been cramped with narrative writing.


The week prior we got an introduction on narrative writing from Yudhi who then gave us an assignment with the topic, "Going To Your Own Funeral".


I get completely stuck when I have to write about myself, so I asked Yudhi if I could make it with a fictional character. He said yes, but when he read it he completely forgot saying so (he must be going senile) and asked me to another few pages about myself (slave-driver!) After writing 20 pages of a good story, he just can't cut me some slack.


School was such a drag all week. There were a few tasks I had to juggle, and knowing there would be a week long break (while my brother sweats over his UAN muahahahaha) at the end did nothing but distract me.


I was also given the task of holding another Narrative writing session for 7th Grade members only, but I just couldn't find the time because of my Listening/Speaking performance. I took Thursday off because I had to prolong my passport, and at the Immigrations Office we ran into a grumpy officer who set me off in a bad mood (don't like the job then find something else!).


I pushed the session back to Friday, since that was also going to be the day I'd perform "Heal the World" by Michael Jackson with my group related to our unit now about PEACE (Y)


But then, they all had Math in English remedial, so I took extra time to prepare them. That left with practically zero session time, just a quick explanation of the task I was going to give. Since I felt guilty, I spent my first moments of freedom when I got home on Friday to type out my teaching material.


I emailed it to Sasa and Willa, but I'd figure I'd post it in the next post so the rest of the members could have a read at it too, and maybe take an interest in the essay topic and write something (though it's not mandatory).

Signed,

Sir Writes-A-Lot

All About Me

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.”

-Shakespeare

A name. That’s what every person on this Earth has been given, and has the right to have. It is what people call us by, who people know us as. The short quote given in Shakespeare’s playwright of Romeo and Juliet simply means that a name might not mean so much in comparison to the person using it. A name may change, but the meaning or person behind that stays the same. And that is what I’m going to write about in this essay. Not just about the ‘name’, Karin Novelia, but the meaning behind it and the person who’s been living with the name.

Karin Novelia was the name given to me on my birthday, 2^nd November 1996. It simply means “holy girl” and “girl born in November”. Right now, I’m 13 years old and a student at SMP Santa Laurensia, Alam Sutera, Serpong-Tangerang. I live at Alam Sutera Kirana in a family of five. I have a dad named Tekno Wibowo, who works as a Marketing Manager at Polytron and a mom, Soegijantini (everyone calls her Yanti or Fei-Fei), who’s a stay at home mom. I’m the middle child from 3 siblings. I have an older brother named Billy Irianto who is currently in the 9^thGrade and a younger sister, Tania Juliani Wibowo who is in the 3^rd Grade, both at Santa Laurensia.

You could describe my family as quiet and independent. We though of course love each other and spend time with one another but we usually spend our time alone. We have our own interests that we share with each other and we respect. My father was always busy working when I was young and my mother had her own hobbies. That left me with a lot of alone time. But I understood how my parents were and even though I felt lonely at times, I tried my best to cope with it. That kind of thinking and mindset is what lead me to become a mature and independent girl.

My passions are reading, writing and music. I’ve fallen in love with reading since I was still in the 2^nd grade and read thicker novels than most of my friends. The first book I ever read seriously was the first Harry Potter book. My interest in reading has definitely had a good impact on me as an individual. It has broadened my horizons by building my creativity, fueling my sense of imagination, adding information to my well of knowledge and teaching me life lessons.

As an outlet for my bursting imagination, I got interested with writing. I’d write about anything, about school to my family, about my feelings to my problems. I always hear many stories about how famous authors have shared their stories and the impact they have made on other people. The pen is mightier than the sword, as they say. I even signed up to the Young Journalist’s Club in my old school, Colegio San Agustin.

Did I mention that school was in the Philippines? I was born in the Makati City Center Hospital, in Manila. My parents along with my just turned 1-year-old brother had moved there on account of my father’s transfer to the Polytron’s Philippines branch. I spent the first 9 years of my childhood there. In comparison with Santa Laurensia, C.S.A was definitely bigger with classes that when on until class O. I have always been a bit quiet, keeping things to myself. But luckily I found a few good friends that accepted me.

One thing I used to always think was important was social status. Sometimes, I would do things just so I could fit in, so I could feel normal. But that definitely changed when I moved to Indonesia. I was terribly shock when I realized we were actually going to move. Usually, my dad would say a thing or two about Indonesia and joke about us living there again someday. But, as the city of my childhood, the place I grew up I became too attached to Manila even consider moving. When he told me at first, I didn’t think he was serious.

The reason we had to move was because he got a promotion. From a normal office worker he got promoted to Marketing Manager. We had to make a few sacrifices for the move. We had lots of junk in our 2 story house, stuff we couldn’t all bring along. We sold our favorite scooter, some of my Digimon plushies, and nearly half of our DVD collection. I did get some share of the money though.

So after 9 years in the Philippines I stepped onto the land of my root country, Indonesia. I was terribly devastated when we moved. I was an Indonesia but I knew nearly nothing about my own country. The main problem of course was language, because I could barely speak Indonesian. All I could say was: Nama saya Karin, and Aku harus ke toilet. I had to adapt to a whole new environment, a whole new school, and making a name for myself from scratch. But the move although it has been a challenge has changed me positively. I have knowledge and have experienced two different cultures, seen the variety of people in Indonesia, learned a whole new language and history of Indonesia. I’ve become more of a hard-worker since moving here, trying to keep up with lessons.

So much that I now wear glasses and have been tactlessly labeled a ‘nerd’ by some of my friends. At first the terms, ‘nerd’ and ‘geek’, was something I hated and stung my heart so badly when I was first called that. But then I realized, I liked being a nerd. I like feeling smart and gaining information and school appealed so much to me. It more than just a place to meet my friends, it was also a place for me to learn and figure out what I want to do with my life. Every aspect of ‘social status’ I used to believe in was thrown right out the window. I may be weird, I may be a nerd, I may seem crazy at times and a tad not normal, but hey, that’s who I am.

And now, just take a look at me. I’m a fluent speaker in Bahasa Indonesia, have lots of friends, I am known to take charge, be a leader and be sometimes called a ‘nerd’. I’ve always listened to music and have begun to pursue it. And now after 4 years of life in Indonesia, I’ve finally found a place to plant my English Language skills and potential, the Writing Club. I really have many hopes in my future. I wish to become and author and sell my books world-wide. And maybe become a journalist because I want to help the world on a global scale with issues likeglobal warming, hunger problems and such. I also consider of becoming a song-writer, a psychologist or a teacher (in Language and Literature, of course!). Okay, that may seem like a lot and I’m a bit unsure on most of those aspirations, but with so many things to try and experience and life, I’m just trying to broaden my horizons and keep my options open.

Once I entered and began junior high school here at Santa Laurensia, I was determined to reinvent myself even more. And when the Writing Club Competition was opened, I thought, This is also my chance. I joined the club not only to improve and develop my writing skills but also to share my talents with the world. In this club we will enter many writing competitions but we’re not in it only for the prizes. These competitions like the Road to Copenhagen competition can open many opportunities for us. In this competition you are asked to write an essay about what the children of today can do to combat climate change. The winner will then attend the Climate Conference in Copenhagen (but the venue changes every year). Competitions like this encourage young people to take a stand and act to help the world today and to build up to the future, their own future.

And who knows? Maybe I’ll be a name on the spine of a book you’ve lovingly placed on your favorite spot on the bookshelf, another name to go with all the famous authors on the Times bookstore walls or bags or a maybe the singer of your favorite songs sounding from the radio. All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them (Walt Disney). And I really believe mine will come true. We’ll have to wait and see. Keep looking out for my name —— Karin Novelia.

Signed,

Sir Writes-A-Lot

Welcome to The Kingdom of Writing

Okay, since this is another chore by Mr. Joykill, I'll try to enjoy it and make it a little fun. I've been thinking about making a blog for a while, but since I never found the time, I'll make best use of this chance to post my best works!

So the Writing Club just started this year, and after going through a laborious process, we have our final seven members:

The Two Rulers (PICs):

Yudhi: The King of the Club (or as I like to call him Mr. Joykill), who enjoys long lectures, and slave-driving the rest of the Kingdom with thick bundles of grammar/vocab worksheets. Although in between his tyrannical rants, he is actually very hardworking (just don’t get him mad or you won’t stop laughing)

Becky: The Queen, since she doesn’t come to sessions often, I’m not sure how good her writing is, but they must be good if she’s part of the club. Would love to read some her works sometime!

And… The Knights of the Paper Table:

Silvia: The Artistic One in the group (I’ve seen her drawings, they’re just wow!) Maybe she should trade up her pen for a paintbrush. We’ve known each other through our moms, but I hope we’ll get to know each other more.

Erico: The Poet of the group (just check out his blog!) always using big words and varied sentences though his grammar could use a bit of polishing. Has hard time grasping the term “long story short” XD

Willa: The Quiet One, who talks with a slight British accent, and writes as much as she talks. Knows some form of wizardry to make oneself disappear/invisible, because she’s always gone when we get together for a session (we tend to forget she’s in the club too XD)

Natasha: The Funny One, always bring some humor to a session and enjoys seeing Yudhi fight with James as much as I do haha. Always says that she’s surprised to be in the club, but is giving it her best. Likes to procrastinate, one of my favorite hobbies as well :P

Last But Not Least:

Karin Novelia: Me, the seventh member of the writing club, who wields the pen like a sword and has had a hobby of writing since she was six. Yudhi’s says I’m the only one who’s good at narrative writing, so I guess that’s a good thing? Everyone says that I was a natural at writing because of my last name (there’s Novel right in there, and looks like a typo from Novelis--> Novelist) Though I’ve been branded a geek/nerd because of my love for writing and school, I don’t mind, I’m actually happy just the way I am.

The next post will be the introduction writing we all first did for the club, “About Me”, and then followed by my weekly post. It might be a tad long, but I’d appreciate it if you took the time to read.

Signed,

Sir Writes-A-Lot