LIBRARY HOSTS CREATIVE WRITING CLASS
By Harrison J. Bahe
On August 13th, 2024, the Fort McDowell Library hosted a Creative Writing class in which two participants, along with the staff, gathered to learn some writing techniques to get the creative juices flowing.
Librarian Jacquelyn McCalvin, library assistant Tina Austin, and library intern Rochelle Doka sat with two young participants in the piano room of the library where McCalvin introduced some short books. She emphasized how the synopsis of the books were written to draw in a potential reader. She then proceeded to read from a children’s book and focused on the exclamations, hitting those short bursts of text with exuberant glee as a story about a frog dreaming to be other animals unfolded. The purpose of this section was to showcase how exclamation marks can make a story more exciting!
The participants then went over to the desks in the computer room. This is where the fun began! McCalvin introduced a creative writing technique in which the participants would write a short story. They’d create a title, write a few sentences, and then hand it off to the person next to them who would then conclude the short story their partner wrote. Everyone has a uniquely different writing style and they can compliment another’s style in ways they never thought possible, and that’s just what happened. The youngest wrote about her love for her aunt while the other wrote about a hilarious incident where her dog ate her homework. McCalvin wrote about a pro golfer playing his best game, Austin wrote about a Yavapai turtle longing to swim in the Verde River, and Doka wrote about the elusive bigfoot. Each story was concluded by their partner and will now be presented in their entirety. Enjoy!
I Love My Auntie Shelly
I love my auntie because she is fun and she loves me and she is funny. She loves me so much that’s why I love her so much!
By Zaila & Hailey
I was doing my homework and then I had to go to the bathroom so I went to go to the bathroom and then when I walked out of the bathroom I had a dry throat so I went to get a drink and then I went to go back to my room and then my dog ate my homework! My teacher will not believe that my dog ate my homework. He must have been starving. So it’s true when my other friends say their dog ate their homework. I can’t believe she did that! Naughty girl!
By Hailey & Shelly
It was hot on the 18th hole and I made the put of my career. Everyone watched in silence as I was getting ready to take the next shot.
By Jackie McCalvin & Tina
Kibit’s Big Splash
Kibit wanted to go on an adventure today at the Verde River. It’s his favorite place to enjoy after school. He learned about the secret swimming spot from his older cousins but he wasn’t big enough to go. “Next summer,” they said. But he wanted to go now! He couldn’t stop thinking about the Verde.
By Zaila & Tina
Is It Real?
Is it an “it?” A he? Or a she? I don’t know! Is there a family? I wonder where they live, What’s its name? Many have speculated whether or not Bigfoot exists but, I don’t have to speculate. I know he exists. How do I know he exists? Well… Bigfoot is my brother and he prefers the name Ronald Big Foot. His middle name is Big and his last name is Foot. He doesn’t know why people started calling him Bigfoot. It’s probably because of the Mountain Yeti who’s been leaving those tracks everywhere. Ron’s feet are normal sized but, Normal Sized Foot isn’t very marketable. Unless you’re Quentin Tarantino. We have received many letters from him.
By Rochelle & Harrison
We hope you enjoyed these delightfully quirky short stories that were created at the Creative Writing Class! Here’s a list of upcoming events happening at the library!
- Family Story Time – August 19th at 5:30pm
- Beginning Piano Keyboard Class – August 22nd at 4pm
- Granny Squares 101 Tweens & Teens – August 26th at 4:30pm
