My Time in 916 Ink SESSION ONE: First day of 916 Ink...I’m not too sure about this. I’ve always hated writing but my mom thought it’d be good for me, so here I am. They gave us some class rules to help keep it a safe space. Sounds like this could be fun... 916 INK WRITERLY RULES: 1. Write whatever needs to be written. 2. Sharing your work is always your choice. 3. Feedback should only focus on positive comments. 4. Everything is treated like fiction (to keep it a safe writing space).
SESSION TWO: I got a really cool map! And learned about something called the “Hero’s Journey.” I learned that changing one detail of the journey can change the whole story.
a popular The “Hero’s Journey” is rytelling, narrative format for sto rcomes in which a character ove obstacles to then discover ves. something about themsel
SESSION THREE: We started the day with a cool “spark,” a poem that was written by another Inker. I can’t believe another kid wrote this. I wonder if I’ll ever be able to write that good.
SESSION FOUR:
Learned a cool way to use metaphors in my writing by hearing Jacob read his writing today! Excited to try it out next time!
We all got to choose one of these old, fancy keys to write about. It was so much fun using my imagination. And I liked being able to hold the key in my hand. It made it easier to picture the story in my head.
PT e P RO M imagin d n a y a ke ta s. Is i Choose n e p o y the ke chest? what easure r t a or e diary ew hom n a s ’ it ding. Maybe ed buil n o d n a ab d or an you fin o d t a Wh n it? ou ope once y
SESSION SIX: I finally felt the courage to read my story to the group. One of the kids I don’t really talk to said that my introduction was their favorite. It made me feel so good! I think I’ll probably share more from now on.
SESSION SEVEN: Guest editors came in to help us with our work. I was nervous at first, but they helped me think about details like the color of the house and what kind of dog I was writing about. I feel like maybe I can do this writing thing. SESSION NINE: I’ve been working more on the stories that I chose for the book. Hearing the other kids’ stories in class has helped me think of other ways to make mine better. This is actually fun! SESSION TEN: OMG! We’re gunna have a book release
PARTY!
We get to get our books and sign autographs like real authors! Not sure if I’ll read yet...sounds scary. SESSION ELEVEN: We all got to come up with title suggestions for the book. I suggested “Super Inkers” but there was some other good ones too. It was pretty cool to think about what the cover might look like. Everyone had lots of good ideas! DAY TWELVE: Last day!! We had a party and got t-shirts and
!
certificates
Can’t wait to see the book! I’ll miss everyone here…
Boo k R ele a se P a rty D a y! SESSION THIRTEEN: Today was the book release party, finally!! Oh man...so many feelings. I couldn’t believe it when they finally gave me two copies of the book. THEY USED THE TITLE I SUGGESTED! It’s so awesome and it looks like a REAL PROFESSIONAL BOOK! I quickly flipped to my section and saw all the different pieces I wrote. HOW COOL IS THIS!? But then they asked me if I was going to read. Oh man...Looking around and seeing all these people I didn’t know, I got nervous. Really nervous. Like, I finally felt comfortable enough to read it in class...I don’t know about reading it in front of all these adults. What if they laugh at me? I signed some autographs on books and posters and posed for a few photos from the paparazzi to calm my nerves. This “famous author” thing is pretty fun. I could get used to this. Finally it was time for the readings, and oh man, those butterflies found their way back into my stomach.
I’M A HED PUBLIS ! !! AUTHOR
Ms. Nancy talked about the class and how fun it was, and then started calling
on everyone to come up and read. After seeing a few of my friends get up there and read their stories, they called my name. I sat there for a second and my mom practically pushed me out of my seat. “OK, OK,” I told her. When I got up there, it was scary. All eyes were on me and it got really silent. I almost thought that I couldn’t do it. But then I caught eyes with some of the other Inkers and they smiled really big, so it made me smile too and remember that I’ve done this before in class. I said the page number and title and began to read. When I was done, everyone started clapping and cheering! I did it! It felt so good! And some even giggled at the funny parts! And I gotta say...reading into the mic was pretty cool too! I can’t wait to share this book with the rest of my friends at school. I hope my mom will sign me up for 916 Ink next year.
R E P U S RS E K IN
The 916 Ink Method is inspired by the Amherst Writers and Artists method. Learn more at 916ink.org/about.