Brianne Wragg
This might surprise you, but the best way to teach writing isn’t by teaching writing at all. Before you raise your eyebrows, hear me out. At Creative Genesis, I prioritize fluency over accuracy because it empowers kids to unleash their imaginations, build writing stamina, and most importantly, fall in love with the art of writing and exploration. One of my favorite tools to achieve this is the Quick Write—a dynamic sprint through the playground of words. This exercise lets young minds roam freely, express themselves, and expand their creativity without the looming pressure of perfection. It’s all about the joy of creation, a core value I celebrate at Creative Genesis.
A Quick Write is an engaging, timed exercise that encourages children to unleash their thoughts onto paper. Starting with just five minutes, this activity sparks an exciting rush of creativity and spontaneity. It perfectly mirrors the vibrant energy we cultivate in each Creative Genesis session. As young writers grow more adept, they can rise to the challenge with increasingly complex prompts and longer sessions, up to 10-15 minutes, further enhancing their writing fluency and creative expression.
Quick Writes are a fantastic way to cultivate creativity and writing fluency. To make these sessions even more engaging and fruitful, consider these additional strategies:
Fun Timers: Use a colorful or themed timer to make the timing aspect fun. There are many apps available that offer visually appealing timers with exciting sounds to signal the end of the writing period. Here are some of our writers’ favs:
Child-Set Challenges: Allow your child to set the time limit themselves. This gives them a sense of control and makes the activity feel more like a game. They might even challenge themselves more than you would!
Create the Prompt: Encourage your child to come up with their own Quick Write prompts. This can be a creative exercise in itself and increases their investment in the writing process.
Visual Inspiration: Use images as prompts. A picture can be a powerful stimulus. Try using art pieces, photographs, or even scenes from magazines. Introduce technology by using AI to create images that serve as writing prompts. Tools like DALL-E or other image generators can create intriguing, unique visuals that spark imagination.
Newspaper Headlines: Grab a newspaper and use current headlines as prompts. This can also help in connecting writing with real-world events and encourages broader thinking.
Join In: Participate in the Quick Write alongside your child. This shows them that writing is enjoyable and nothing to fear—plus, it’s a great way for you to flex your creative muscles!
Friendly Competition: Turn the Quick Write into a light-hearted competition if more than one child is participating, or even include adults. Whoever writes the most words or the most creative piece could get a small reward.
Group Dynamics: Organize group sessions with siblings, friends, or other family members. Group settings can enhance creativity through shared energy and ideas.
Customize Writing Tools: Let your child choose their writing tools—fancy pens, colorful notebooks, or a new word processor on a computer can make the writing process more exciting.
Incorporate Music: Some children might enjoy background music. Some writers might even want to make it an alternative timer.
Progress Journal: Keep a journal or a digital folder of all Quick Write activities. Reviewing past writings not only shows progress over time but can also be a source of inspiration and pride for both of you.
Quick Writes offer numerous benefits:
Quick Writes are more than just writing exercises; they are celebrations of spontaneous creation. They encourage your child to think bigger, imagine more, and express freely—skills that are invaluable in both academic and personal growth.
So why not start today? Grab a timer, whip out some fun prompts, and watch your child’s imagination take flight in just minutes a day. Remember, in the world of creative writing, every word counts, and every idea is worth exploring. Let’s make writing an adventure of discovery and joy at your very own home!
About the Author
Brianne Wragg is a deschooled English teacher. She started as a copywriter, ghostwriter and editor for companies and individuals after leaving schools. She returned to education, working at Synthesis School before running a creative writing & mentorship program for kids aged 10-15 years old.
Read On
Imagine a space where your child can unleash their thoughts without barriers, where the clock encourages a thrilling chase of words. A Quick Write is this spirited sprint—a short, timed writing bout that challenges young minds to flow with creativity without the brakes of perfectionism.
The label’ teacher’ feels overly restrictive. I don’t want to critique or elevate one role over the others, but I wish to share why the labels of mentor and coach resonate more deeply with me.
The old woman finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, yet it permeated the room with a ghostly resonance. “Secrets are heavy burdens. To release them, one must be prepared for the void they leave behind. It can be filled with something far weightier.”
Weekly writing sessions and community to develop creative thinking, writing skills, and imagination for kids ages 10 to 16.