Hobbies And Interests
Narrative Writing Games
Narrative writing is one of the most challenging forms of writing because it includes so many aspects of writing. Plot, character, setting and style are all essential components of good narrative, whether it's memoir, fiction or biography. The central characteristic of narrative writing is that it tells a story, and there are many games you can use to practice storytelling skills. One fun group game is the group story game, in which the first player begins a story and stops at a crucial point. The next player must then continue the story, but he also stops in the middle. Each player adds to the story, and the last player brings the story to a conclusion. If your group has trouble coming up with ideas, you can make this game easier by having each player only add a sentence or two to the story. You can also give each player a prompt, such as a word or an object, which he has to use in his part of the story.
Another game that helps writers think about plot ideas is using word prompts. With a group, you can give each person one word. Choose words that are random and that have nothing obvious in common. Then, assign players into groups of three. Each group of three has to make up a story for how their three words are connected.
Persuasive Writing Games
Persuasive writing requires different skills than narrative writing, and it is important in both academics and business. There are many fun ways to practice persuasive skills. Games that involve lying to other players are good for practicing persuasion, since they require convincing other players of something that isn't true. One example is Two Truths and a Lie, in which each player tells three "facts" about herself, two of which are true and one of which is false. She can elaborate on all three "facts" as much as she wants in an effort to convince other players that they are all true. The other players then guess which one is the lie.
Another similar game is Whose Story Is It?, in which three players each write a brief description of a true event that happened to them on an index card. One index card of the three is chosen, and someone else reads it aloud. The three players then all have to elaborate on the story as if it really happened to them, and other players guess whose experience it really is.
Poetry Writing Games
Poetry naturally lends itself to creative games, since one of the characteristics of poetry is the way it plays with words, sounds and meanings. Playing games is an ideal way to inspire your poetry writing. Any games that play with sounds or words are helpful for poetry. One example is Comparison, in which players create metaphors by comparing things that are completely unlike each other and then listing reasons why the different things are alike. Another example is Sounds, in which players listen to a variety of sounds and list words that sound similar.