Time to Grow

Reading a novel

The Dons

Author’s visit

Archie Fusillo

Author’s visit

Archie Fusillo

The Dons

Author’s visit

Archie Fusillo

The Dons Writing

Writing

Writing short stories

Write a short story (400-600 words) in which the main character demonstrates growth.

Your task:

The D Room

‘Can anybody tell me the square root of n divided by 4, if n is supplementary to the vertically opposite angle, co-interior to an angle, at precisely 32.04 degrees?’ The very second my freshly yellow-crusted eyelids slowly opened, I noticed Mr Calculus giving me that stern, scary, ‘you’re busted’ look on his wrinkle-covered face. ‘What about you, Kyle?’ Right then, I knew I was doomed. ‘Er, ah…’ I stumbled. Mr. Calculus cut in. ‘Detention! My office, exactly 3:17 sharp! Don’t be late.’

I forced myself to slightly inch across the creaking floor boards, towards the motionless door marked: THE D ROOM. As soon as I slowly turned the old, chrome door knob, the entrance seemed to gape open, like a snarling crocodile watching me, waiting for the right time to strike. I was about to do what every sensible person would do. Run. Then I considered what happened every other time I made that choice. Today, I'm taking up the courage to change. That very second, I made one of the bravest, yet most stupid, decisions in my entire life. I went right through that door.

When I crept inside, the windows were smothered with worn, black paint. The small slits of light which trickled between the gaps of the shack-like wooden roof, turned the eerie hut into a high rising canopy, arching over Jour-ded Buster's gloomy face. Jour-ded Buster's here? During all my fears of The D Room, it hadn't crossed my mind, that Jour-ded Buster would be one of the few kids to have ever set foot in this very room. Jour-ded is the head bully of the grade. He has the mind of a walnut, the strength of an oversized gorilla and the personal emotions of a brick. He took one glance at me, stood up and combined all his brainpower to create the best sentence structure he was capable of. ‘Dur... you gonna not ge' out o' 'ere!’Suddenly, everything went black.

My eyes slowly opened. I could feel my forehead throbbing like a pig, furiously bashed by a butcher’s tenderiser. I took in my surroundings. The torn wooden wall boards supporting the cramped store room indicated I was still in The D Room. I heard Jour-ded open the door. ‘U be' er save ya enagy wit you will need for wo' I’ve planned...!’ I shuddered, as an evil expression played across his hard, bruised lips. He shut the door...I pressed my eye against the tiny keyhole. ‘Has Kyle arrived yet?’ enquired Mr Calculus.‘He no ye' comin' Calcu-m-m-Mr Calculus, Sir,’ replied Jour-ded. ‘I'll be sure to have a strong word with him. Oh, and you can expect Kyle to stay here with you, all Saturday.’

I wasn't going to let this pass. I wasn't going to allow Jour-ded Buster to bash the living daylights out of me. Nor was I going to accept Mr 'Calcu-dumb' ruining my life, with stupid detentions over some angle trash. I mean, it's not my fault he has the super villain powers to bore a whole class with a single math sum. I'm going to stand up for the sake of kid-kind! I swung open the door and sprinted for my life, hoping for the best. Just before leaving the room, I turned around and said, ‘Oh, by the way, the angle of n is 46 degrees.’

‘How did you do it?’ asked Mr Calculus in utter amazement.‘It’s called a calculator,’ I answered with glee. ‘You should try it some time!’

Short Story Structure

Short Story Structure

Orientation & Complication

Orientation & Complication

a. Introduce characters and setting.

b. What happens that makes us read on?

Rising A

ction

Rising A

ction

Develop plot and character

Climax

Climax

Highest point of tension in the story.

Resolution / Twist

Resolution / Twist

We’ve found out what happened and now all the ends are tied up…

Resolution / Twist

We’ve found out what happened and now all the ends are tied up… perhaps.

Short Story Structure

Short Story Structure

‘Can anybody tell me the square root of n divided by 4, if n is supplementary to the vertically opposite angle, co-interior to an angle, at precisely 32.04 degrees?’ The very second my freshly yellow-crusted eyelids slowly opened, I noticed Mr Calculus giving me that stern, scary, ‘you’re busted’ look on his wrinkle-covered face. ‘What about you, Kyle?’ Right then, I knew I was doomed. ‘Er, ah…’ I stumbled. Mr. Calculus cut in. ‘Detention! My office, exactly 3:17 sharp! Don’t be late.’

‘Can anybody tell me the square root of n divided by 4, if n is supplementary to the vertically opposite angle, co-interior to an angle, at precisely 32.04 degrees?’ The very second my freshly yellow-crusted eyelids slowly opened, I noticed Mr Calculus giving me that stern, scary, ‘you’re busted’ look on his wrinkle-covered face. ‘What about you, Kyle?’ Right then, I knew I was doomed. ‘Er, ah…’ I stumbled. Mr. Calculus cut in. ‘Detention! My office, exactly 3:17 sharp! Don’t be late.’

Orientation & Complication

‘Can anybody tell me the square root of n divided by 4, if n is supplementary to the vertically opposite angle, co-interior to an angle, at precisely 32.04 degrees?’ The very second my freshly yellow-crusted eyelids slowly opened, I noticed Mr Calculus giving me that stern, scary, ‘you’re busted’ look on his wrinkle-covered face. ‘What about you, Kyle?’ Right then, I knew I was doomed. ‘Er, ah…’ I stumbled. Mr. Calculus cut in. ‘Detention! My office, exactly 3:17 sharp! Don’t be late.’

Orientation & Complication

Short Story Structure

I forced myself to slightly inch across the creaking floor boards, towards the motionless door marked: THE D ROOM. As soon as I slowly turned the old, chrome door knob, the entrance seemed to gape open, like a snarling crocodile watching me, waiting for the right time to strike. I was about to do what every sensible person would do. Run. Then I considered what happened every other time I made that choice. Today, I'm taking up the courage to change. That very second, I made one of the bravest, yet most stupid, decisions in my entire life. I went right through that door.

Rising Action

When I crept inside, the windows were smothered with worn, black paint. The small slits of light which trickled between the gaps of the shack-like wooden roof, turned the eerie hut into a high rising canopy, arching over Jour-ded Buster's gloomy face. Jour-ded Buster's here? During all my fears of The D Room, it hadn't crossed my mind, that Jour-ded Buster would be one of the few kids to have ever set foot in this very room. Jour-ded is the head bully of the grade. He has the mind of a walnut, the strength of an oversized gorilla and the personal emotions of a brick. He took one glance at me, stood up and combined all his brainpower to create the best sentence structure he was capable of. ‘Dur... you gonna not ge' out o' 'ere!’Suddenly, everything went black.

Rising Action

My eyes slowly opened. I could feel my forehead throbbing like a pig, furiously bashed by a butcher’s tenderiser. I took in my surroundings. The torn wooden wall boards supporting the cramped store room indicated I was still in The D Room. I heard Jour-ded open the door. ‘U be' er save ya enagy wit you will need for wo' I’ve planned...!’ I shuddered, as an evil expression played across his hard, bruised lips. He shut the door...I pressed my eye against the tiny keyhole. ‘Has Kyle arrived yet?’ enquired Mr Calculus.‘He no ye' comin' Calcu-m-m-Mr Calculus, Sir,’ replied Jour-ded. ‘I'll be sure to have a strong word with him. Oh, and you can expect Kyle to stay here with you, all Saturday.’

Rising Action

Short Story Structure

I wasn't going to let this pass. I wasn't going to allow Jour-ded Buster to bash the living daylights out of me. Nor was I going to accept Mr 'Calcu-dumb' ruining my life, with stupid detentions over some angle trash. I mean, it's not my fault he has the super villain powers to bore a whole class with a single math sum. I'm going to stand up for the sake of kid-kind! I swung open the door and sprinted for my life, hoping for the best. Just before leaving the room, I turned around and said, ‘Oh, by the way, the angle of n is 46 degrees.’

I wasn't going to let this pass. I wasn't going to allow Jour-ded Buster to bash the living daylights out of me. Nor was I going to accept Mr 'Calcu-dumb' ruining my life, with stupid detentions over some angle trash. I mean, it's not my fault he has the super villain powers to bore a whole class with a single math sum. I'm going to stand up for the sake of kid-kind! I swung open the door and sprinted for my life, hoping for the best. Just before leaving the room, I turned around and said, ‘Oh, by the way, the angle of n is 46 degrees.’

Climax

Short Story Structure

‘How did you do it?’ asked Mr Calculus in utter amazement.‘It’s called a calculator,’ I answered with glee. ‘You should try it some time!’

‘How did you do it?’ asked Mr Calculus in utter amazement.‘It’s called a calculator,’ I answered with glee. ‘You should try it some time!’

Resolution / Twist

Plot Outline Plot Profile

Setting Characters Notes

A few extra thoughts…

1. Single main character

2. Use (but don’t overuse) adjectives and adverbs.

3. Use (but don’t overuse) similes and metaphors.

4. Show rather than tell.

5. Remember to consider your target audience.

Errors to avoid in Short Stories…

1. You are trying to write a novel.2. You write on a topic you have no idea about.

3. You don’t plan and, as such, your story is a jumbled mess.

4. Errors – ensure your first draft is able to be enjoyed by the reader.

But wait – there’s more…

Time for an ad…

Time for an ad…

Time for an ad…

Time for an ad…

The Year 8 Play for 2011

Junior entry in the GCSSDF Title? TBA Cast? TBA Rehearsals start in Term 2 Performance early in Term 3 (Week

4?) Performance at ASAS Performance for Year 8 Rehearsals: Wednesdays: 3:30 - 5:00

Are we having fun yet?

2010 – Rapunzel Uncut

fin