A while back I did a post on do-it-yourself Mad Libs. So in my search for a creative writing project for this week I took a little inspiration from the past and mixed it in with my current sense of wanderlust. The result is a get out and chase the adventure version of the previous post, but in reverse.
So get out your magnifying glasses, your specimen jars, treasure boxes, notebooks and pencils. Oh and a compass might be a good idea.
Step one: Wander. Around your neighborhood, your local park or trail head (it might be a good idea to bring an adult if you plan to wander more than a few blocks).
Step Two: Pick up and investigate natural objects that catch your eye.
Step three: Pull out your notebook and write down the first object you find.
Step four: Write a sentence about that object. This can be as simple or elaborate as you choose. The point here is to be creative.
Step five: Find another object.
Step six: Add to the story. What role does this object play?
Step seven: Keep it going and see where you end up!
I love this activity because it really is endless. The story doesn't have to end after just one trip. Get a big enough notebook and this could go on for months, years even! (ok, that might be a tad ambitious, but you get the idea.) The other thing I love about this is the small respites, simply stopping for a moment to write down another detail, observing the world around you. Also the collection of the objects found along the way act like souvenirs, or keepsakes to take home as evidence of the adventure. I don't know about you, but I'm headed out the door to see what I can find!
~ Jordan
P.S. Check back after noon today to see the winner of our Where the Wild Things Are book giveaway!
*Last time in Books and Stories: A Fond Farewell