Boaty McBoat Farce!

It's been one of those stories... the public, in its infinite and wonderfully tongue in cheek wisdom, has chosen the one name for the new polar research vessel that the NERC probably didn't want. And now, of course, there is much wriggling and re-thinking and it looks like Mcboatface will never quite make it.

What shame! Didn't we vote for this? Yeah, we did! The NERC should honour its commitment! Boaty would have sailed with such support and such affection - it's a lost opportunity for engagement between scientific research and us ordinary guys out there. Boo you, NERC!

More Great Writing!

Here's more great writing from our Year 4 star, Amelia:

Beach

The peach sand frizzled under the turquoise sky, while in the distance the glistening sea formed huge waves.
The white feathers of the seagulls sparked in the sunlight.
The sea water splashing onto the shore smelt of salt.
The sun reached out on to the rocky hills.
Nearly in the brilliant blue rock pools, golden fishes raced.
As the light faded, the sunset skipped into a rainbow.
Above the clouds, the cobweb moon gazed at the dazzling planets.

Love this! Amelia explored two things which made such a difference to her writing: different sentence starters, and powerful verbs.

Favourite sentence: the sunset skipped into a rainbow. Beautiful! (to use a word we have banned in our sessions!)

Young Writers showcase

As promised - some fine descriptive writing from young writers - this time Amelia, year 4.

Enjoy!

The Monstrous Night… by Amelia

Once upon a time there was a field. The bright green grass swayed in the shimmering wind. The spreading branches trembled in the blue-sky breeze. The warm wind flowed in between the emerald green blades of grass, while the golden sun glowed. Autumn coloured leaves flew through turquoise air.

           

In the field was a scarecrow. He was loving, happy and a giant smile on his face.

            

That night there was a monstrous storm. Fierce lightning flashed while dark rain poured in the ebony night. The powerful wind prowled like wolves howling and growling. The wolf wind grabbed the leaves and tossed them in the air. It pulled on the scarecrow’s straw. It spun him round and round. It stole the scarecrow’s torn hat and scarf. The wind tugged at his head and his arms until he was torn apart and laying on the grass in peace.

Work Done!

Morning all bloggers - we're back! Deb has been marking A level coursework, and Ali has been writing material for the revised edition of the York Notes study guide for The Handmaid's Tale... so we've been busy!

Here at Thoughttree we're hoping you've all had a great Easter break - bring on the spring!

Showcasing some splendid descriptive writing from our young writers next. Just one comment on current stuff today (teachers' union conferences and all that) and that is to say: what need teacher votes and so on? As a parent, if my children were to be tested at 4 years, I SIMPLY. WOULD. NOT. ALLOW. IT. PERIOD.

Did it before with KS1 Sats. Would do it again. Listening, Nicky Morgan?

Writing Workshop

  How to Keep Your Reader in the Fictional Dream

 

                                                    Reading a good story is like  being in a 'vivid and continuous dream' (John Gardner)

 

Please join Deb (Ali is on a short writing sabbatical) on Thursday 25th February, 10am -12.30 at Judson's, Pocklington. £15 including coffee and cake, of course.

 

We'll be exploring techniques for our own writing (control of vocabulary; handling sentences; developing style) that can save us from distracting the reader from this 'dream'.  As always, we'll look at how the some of the best contemporary writers do it.

Do come and join us - and please book your place asap.

Best wishes

Deb and Ali

we're back!

Great heavens above! How did it come to this? No internet access for five days - that's FIVE WHOLE DAYS, people! What's it like? It's like one's right arm has been not just cut off, but brutally severed, that's what!

So much for changing to superfast broadband, BT... something of a slow start! And guess what: the reason for our stuttering start to superfast? The guy at the BT cabinet had plugged us into the wrong port. Yep. Highly technical. I throw my hands up in horror. No, I really do.

Oof. So glad to be back - and look out for Deb with our latest Thoughttree Writing Workshop later in February! As for me - now that I'm over the shock of the superfast fiasco - am taking a sabbatical to write the next novel. Will continue to blog though - there will be many on the subject of writer's block and what on earth do I write next, no doubt!

Creative Writing Course

Thoughttree are delighted to announce that they are working with York Adult Education to offer a new course in Creative Writing, led by Ali. www.thoughttree.co.uk for more details and how to book.

www.yortime.org.uk
01904 552806
email: york.learning@york.gov.uk