The musical (writing game) by Leanne Dyck

I've been playing this game for many years. When did I start, was I a teenager or younger? Did a Language Arts teacher introduce the game to me or...? I'm not sure.

By playing this game, you'll learn how to develop a plot. You'll learn how to take your characters from the first scene to the end of the play.

Chose a song from your favourite genre and band. A good source of songs is songbooks (go figure)--especially ones with old or traditional songs. Use the entire song or only a few lines. Once you've selected the songs--or parts of songs--string them together to form a story. Don't hesitate to rewrite the song--if necessary.

(selfie by Leanne Dyck)

Inspired by Celtic music, I created a four-scene musical.

Three actors:  an older woman, a younger woman, and a man
Costume:   The women wear worn clothing -- think old Irish dress--long skirts and shawls.  The man wears a suit jacket with a knit vest and high, leather boots. 

Prop:  rocking chair

Scene I

three actors on stage
The two women stand together, stage left. 
The man is at stage right.

A fiddle and tin whistle playing in the background.

The older woman pushes the younger woman to the centre stage. 

The younger woman dances as the older woman sings...

Step It Out Mary

Step it up, Mary, my fine daughter

Step it up, Mary, if you can

Step it up, Mary, my fine daughter

Show your legs to the countryman

Show your legs to the countryman

The man steps forward and sings...

Black Leather Band

Her eyes, they shone like the diamonds

I thought she was queen of the land

And her hair hung over her shoulder

Tied up with a black velvet band

(photo by Leanne Dyck)

Scene II

two actors on stage:  the man and the young woman

The man kneels and takes the young woman's hand

He sings...

The Wild Rover

And it's no, neigh, never (he slaps his knee 3 times)

No, neigh, never, no more

Will I play the wild rover

No never, no more

(photo by Leanne Dyck)

Scene III

the man wears a morning coat

the young woman wears a veil

three actors on stage:  the man and the two women

the man and the younger woman stand centre stage

the older woman stands stage left and sings...

The Gypsy Rover

He whistled and he sang 'til the green woods rang

And he won the heart of my baby

(photo by Leanne Dyck)

Scene IV

young woman, centre stage, on rocking chair, blanket in arms (as if holding a baby) sings...

An Irish Lullaby

Too-ra-loor-ra-loor-ra, Too-ra-loor-ra-li

Too-ra-loor-ra, hush now, don't you cry

Too-ra-loor-ra-loor-ra, Too-ra-loor-ra-li

Too-ra-loor-ra, that's an Irish lullaby

fade to black

Sharing my author journey...

First sentence (writing game) by Leanne Dyck

This writing game can be played by two or more players.

Preparation:  Choose a book (well-known or not)

Play:  One player reads the opening paragraph out loud to all the players. Each player writes a short story inspired by this paragraph. 

Variation: Glean your inspiration from a photo or a series of photos.

Variation: One player at a time supplies one sentence until the short story is created.

Props (a writing game,) by Leanne Dyck

This game can be played by two or more people.

Preparation:  Into a small box (or bag or suitcase or pillow case or), each player puts one item.

Play:  Each player must draw one item out of the box and tell a story about it. Or add to the story already being told.

Variation:  Have a theme for the story exchange such as clothing. Each player must bring a hat, belt, top, etc.

Other themes:  children's toys, household tools, etc.

Words (writing game) by Leanne Dyck

This writing game can be played with two or more players.


Material:  pens and index cards (or small slips of paper)

Preparation:  Distribute index cards and a pen to each player. Players write one word on each card--nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, conjunctions.
Before the game you may wish to assign nouns, verbs, etc. individual player. For example, one player be responsible for supplying the noun. Another the verb. Etc.
Play:  Use these words to form sentences, paragraphs, scenes, or short stories.
The first player places a word on the table. The next player adds another word and so on until all the words are used or the story is told.

Variation
Preparation:  Put the words in a big pile, face down in the centre of the table. Each player chooses a set number of words (ten?) Players may trade words or return unusable words to the pile and draw replacements.
Play:  Working independently, each player forms a sentence using their collection of words.