Writing A Flash Draft

*UPDATED May 14, 2020

FLASH DRAFTS

Sometimes writing becomes overly complicated when inexperienced writers are required to over plan, or over think their writing. Frequently, they end up overwhelmed by these well intentioned  requirements.

On occasions teachers may note that the volume of writing a student produces is minimal. This is where the strategy of Flash drafts may assist the inexperienced writer to deal with such issues.

Let's face it, sometimes the writer just need to 'write.' There exists within them an overwhelming urge to get words and ideas onto paper before they evaporate, or fly away. Overplanning can kill the urgency to write dead in its tracks. Insistence on the use of graphic organizers can also kill the joy. Flash drafts get young writers closer to the act of writing -and it most certainly gets them there much quicker. 

The Flash draft enables the writer to feel a greater sense of control over the writing elements, as it involves one specific character,  one particular event ,and all the action takes place in a single setting. The writing may expand from this point. The aim of the flash draft is to get the writing underway. The flash draft a writer creates might become a brief scene in a larger story. It might be the lead in a longer story. It is a launching mechanism for writing.

By its nature, the flash draft sets up a manageable writing environment. At the very centre of the writing a single character resides.  The writing environment allows the inexperienced writer to operate more effectively, while confidence and experience grow. 

The flash draft has an element of speed writing about it. The writer has a sense of the writing in their head before they begin and this gives the writing a fast and furious look. Essentially, there are three elements.
  • A character (real or imagined)
  • A setting
  • Action (the writer aims to make something happen)

Flash drafts are a bit like sweet confectionary. it is not something you need to indulge in all the time. You are offering it to your students as another way to get started. It is something they can add to their repertoire of writing tools.

Here is a quick plan for assisting inexperienced writers to develop a writing idea through the use of a Flash Draft:

·      Imagine a character (human/animal real/imagined) and give that character a name.

·      Think of a place where that character might be. Sometimes it adds interest if you place that character in a less obvious setting.

·      Think up something that might happen in that place. Think something unexpected or challenging. Remember, no struggle, no story.

·      Think of something your character might do. Make something happen!  (ACTION!)

·      Tell the story to a partner, and then...

·      Go and write!
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