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Camp Story First Draft

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Camp Story First Draft

Use the story starter and planning clues below to write an exciting first draft set at a New Zealand campsite. Build a clear beginning, a problem and a next step. Leave time to reread and improve your work.

Gather your story clues

Imagine your character is at a campsite near the bush. A strong gust of wind has just blown something important away.

1.Choose one object the wind could carry away. Which choice could create the biggest problem for your character?

A torch needed to find the way back to the tent
A paper napkin
An empty lolly wrapper

2.Write a vivid opening sentence that introduces the campsite and hints that something is about to go wrong. Include a precise verb or descriptive word.

3.Plan your main character. Give them an ordinary first name, one strength that will help, and one worry that could make the problem harder.

4.Choose the sentence that best builds suspense before the character discovers where the torch landed.

Maia walked over and picked it up.
A faint click sounded beyond the ferns, then the bush fell quiet.
The torch was a useful camping object.

5.Write one line of dialogue between the character and a camping companion. Use speech marks and punctuation correctly.

Draft the story

Write a first draft of about three paragraphs. Include a clear setting, the problem, your character's response and a hint of what might happen next. You may change the planning clues as you write.

6.Draft paragraph 1: Set the scene and introduce the character. Show the moment the wind causes trouble.

7.Draft paragraph 2: Show what the character does next. Add a sensory detail, a thought or feeling, and dialogue or action that moves the story forward.

8.Draft paragraph 3: End this part of the draft with a discovery, a decision or a new clue that makes the reader want to continue.

Reread and improve

Reread your own draft. Look for places where a small change can make the story clearer or more engaging.

9.Which edit would make this sentence more precise? “The wind moved the thing.”

The wind did something to the thing.
A sharp gust snatched the torch from the picnic table.
The wind was there and it moved it.

10.Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

“Stay close,” Maia whispered.
“Stay close” Maia whispered.
Stay close, “Maia whispered.”

11.Find one sentence in your draft that you can improve. Copy it, then rewrite it with a stronger verb or a more exact detail.

12.Tick or mark each check you completed: capitals and sentence endings; speech marks around spoken words; clear order of events; at least one specific sensory detail. Which check will you focus on in your next draft?