Pixar Challenge: Rule #4

Pixar’s Rule #4

Once upon a time there was ___. Every day, ___. One day ___. Because of that, ___. Because of that, ___. Until finally ___.

As a teacher we preach not to formula write.  Don’t follow a pattern if you want catch the attention of raters or graders.  They don’t want to see the same thing over and over again.  It is boring and it will not set you apart from the stacks and stacks of writing.  But, what we mean by formula writing is four sentences, paragraph break, four-five sentences, paragraph break, and at least five paragraphs.  Where every student in your class has a nice neat paper and if you flipped through the stack, it would look as if someone photocopied the same story.  That is not what this rule means.

This is only a guide for getting your story started.  It will help you find direction. I feel this is a great place to start. One of the biggest struggles in writing is sitting down in front of a blank sheet of paper or a blank computer screen.  It is a scary place.  With something like this, you know where to start, where to go, and where you want to end up.  It is a compass giving you direction. The only thing left is set forth on your journey.  A journey you can take without hesitation, fear, or anxiety.  You know the major steps to be taken.  Just sit and write.

Do you think this would give you direction? Or do you think it is just another boring formula?

Also, all of you should check out the posts from my blogging friends who are doing this challenge with me! The first posts go up today. Links to Kate Brauning, Talynn Lynn, Mary Pat, and Alex Yuschik’s blogs are located on the side bar.  

We’d love to see comments on our post and share anything you enjoy.  Thank you for reading!