Length: 60 minutes each
Max Participants: 20
Ages: Children 8-12 years old
All workshops are conducted online via Zoom. Sign-up required!
No previous experience necessary.
Let your imagination run wild with a series of three livestream creative writing and illustration workshops! In each workshop, Gavan Cheema will read 5 pages of her children's fiction piece in development, The adventures of Himmat Kaur and Fateh Singh, and together with a group of kids we will illustrate the pages, explore writing techniques and tips and make the story come to life! This workshop is a unique opportunity for children to be a part of the storytelling process. Not only will they learn what goes into writing a good story but their voices will help the further development of the piece!
Part 1 - August 5, 2020
The introductory week will focus on creating a space where children feel comfortable sharing their ideas and thoughts. We will also focus on the importance of being original and brave storytellers!
We will start each session with a check-in activity and a fun icebreaker. Gavan will chat a bit about her writing process and we will read the first 5 pages out loud as a group! The children will then be encouraged to draw illustrations that they will present the following week. Next we will have a discussion about why Gavan chose to write this piece and how they can help her. We will end with a chat about steps they can take to be storytellers themselves and hopefully inspire them to write honestly and bravely.
Part 2 August 12, 2020
This week we will focus on the importance of Character and Plot development.
After our check-in, the children will present their illustrations to the group! We will read out loud the next 5 pages and create more illustrations. The children will be encouraged to ask questions and give feedback on the story. Our discussion will be focused on how to create a character and explore the different types of plot structures that help make a piece active.
Part 3 August 19, 2020
This week we will focus on Setting, Themes and Conflict.
As always we'll start with a check-in, and illustration presentations. We will read all the pages we have so far as a group. We will have a discussion on what kind of themes are present in Himmat and Fateh, and how or if they resonate with their day to day lives. Then we will chat about setting and conflict and use Himmat and Fateh for examples. We'll end the session with a conversation on how they can start creating their own piece!
