A Project for April

I have been doing some creative writing exercises with students at school. One in particular that has really been a hit has been to get them to write 50 word Snaps* to some sort of stimulus - word, idea, phrase or visual image. It has been very successful with all ability ranges. And it reminded me how much I enjoyed doing this sort of thing - as an exercise.

I first came across this Snap concept on Sarah Salway's blog where she frequently posts up a picture and writes her own 50 word Snap and then allows others to post (in the comments) on her blog their own Snaps in response to the same image. I think Sarah might have even coined the name, Snap. They are like mini stories, captured moments, snapshots. Back then, when I was doing this on her blog, I found the activity very addictive and it really got the creative brain working... and it was fun.

All of which brings me to now and a project for April. I have asked Sarah if she would mind me doing this here and she has given her blessing. So, here goes with the proposal.

I am challenging myself to produce 150 Snaps in the month of April. I shall post one stimulus picture each day and then I shall endeavour to write five flashed Snaps to that picture. If anyone else wants to join in, they may. If you just want to come here to browse, then that's fine, too. I am doing it for the fun.

(* A 50 word Snap is precisely that; not 49 words or 51, but exactly 50. If there is a Title to any Snap then the Title is not considered part of the word count.)