Tip #1

The power of suggestion – can students make the reader believe something without saying it? Can they persuade the reader to read between the lines, to make an assumption?

· Utilise the reader’s natural curiosity

· Use the weather to set the scene

· Use a simple noise, like creaking or a dripping tap, to create atmosphere

· Describe the character’s physical reaction to fear

· Describe what the character thinks is causing the noise …

Check out our video, which shows students how to use suspense, atmosphere and tension as well as introduces them to the activity!

Tip #2

This round-robin writing activity combines planning with the element of surprise!

Split your class into 6 groups. Explain they will be coming up with ideas for their Spine-Chillers. They will need to bear in mind their mini saga will require tension, suspense and atmosphere.

Each group needs a pen and paper. One person from each group needs to write the following titles on their sheet: 

· Setting
· Weather
· Season
· Character
· Danger
· Something Unexpected

Now ask your class to briefly discuss their setting and write this down under the ‘Setting’ title. They then have to pass their paper on to the next group. Now, each group needs to write down a type of weather. Then they pass the paper to the next group and so on until the paper is complete and returned to the original group.

The group then need to each write their own mini saga based on the round-robin ideas sheet – how to they compare? It’s interesting to see how the same ideas develop into different stories depending on how the writer interprets them!

Tip #3

Ask your students to write down their greatest fear and use this as a basis for their mini saga.

What would they feel and do if their greatest fear became reality? Ask them to make notes. As this is quite a personal exercise student don’t have to share their work with the class!

Can students symbolise their fear as something else? For example if the fear is death, the mini saga could portray a ruthless survivor that will do anything to stay alive, or if the fear is rejection the mini saga could be about someone who’ll settle for a partner that isn’t right just to avoid being alone.

This is a great way to explore fear and how it can inspire creative writing.

Tip #4

Having a character that shape-shifts into animal is a fun idea, but well-used, so how can students make this original…

· Create a new species with a new purpose

· Use the animal to symbolise something else

· Write a tale with a twist; does the reader expect the character to be evil because of this ability or to act a certain way? Surprise them by proving their assumptions wrong!

· Write from the animal’s point of view rather than their human self

· Write a prologue or epilogue

· Use the power of suggestion; is the character an animal? Can they shape-shift? What do they want the reader to believe without the author telling them?