A lot of times we talk about using writing exercises as a warm up for our “real” writing. But I was curious: Do most writers really do this? I don’t typically warm up by doing a writing prompt. Instead, I enjoy going for a run on a wooded trail before I sit down to write in the morning. It’s not just the exercise but being out in nature that inspires me. I often solve some writing snag while I’m in the thick of the forest. I stop and look around, soaking up the feel of the wind, the sun, the sky.
I thought I’d throw the question out to other children’s book writers: How do you wake up your brain before diving into your work? Here’s what they said:
- Listen to music
- Go for a walk
- Stretch
- Reread what was written the day before
- Listen to a poetry podcast
- Journal
- Eat a good breakfast
- Look at a photo and write about it
- Create a word bank
- Review research related to the topic of the book (for nonfiction)
You might want to help your students become mindful of what gets them warmed up to begin writing. Maybe they do like beginning with a writing prompt. Or doodling. Or passing out the writing folders to the other students to get up and moving. Here’s a way to help you (or your students) find out.
Have your students do an experiment: As a class, come up with four different ways to wake up the brain before beginning a writing assignment. A few you could try include:
- Listen to soothing music
- Stretch or do simple yoga positions
- Write from a writing prompt
- Free journal
- Take a walk around the school (if possible, outside)
Each day, have the class try one method followed by their usual writing assignment. Afterward, have each student write down how they felt about it:
- Did you feel your writing flowed more or less than usual after the activity?
- Did you feel more or less energized?
- Did you feel more or less focused in your writing?
After the experiment concludes, discuss as a class what students learned about what helps them warm up for writing. Which method was most useful? Why? They may be surprised!
Need some writing prompts? Here are some good ones:
https://www.journalbuddies.com/prompts-by-grade/fun-writing-prompts-for-middle-school/
https://www.dailyteachingtools.com/journal-writing-prompts.html
https://www.lindsay-price.com/playwriting/the-ten-best-writing-warm-ups/
https://www.writingmindset.org/teach/2018/3/24/how-to-rock-a-focused-writing-warm-up
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