Write fan fiction

What can we use instead of plain paper, pens, or access to DIY.org if those are missing?

If you don't have plain paper or pens for steps like 'write their name at the top of the paper' or 'draw a small cover picture,' use notebook pages, recycled cardboard, pencils or crayons instead, and if you can't access DIY.org to 'share your finished fan fiction story,' have a parent photograph the story to email or save it in a private folder.

My child gets stuck planning the three main events or can't write dialogue—how can we help them finish those parts?

For the 'Plan three main events' step, prompt them with 'first, next, last' or ask what starts the adventure, what goes wrong in the middle, and how it ends, and for the 'add at least two lines of dialogue' requirement, have the child act out the character's voice aloud and write down the two lines they like best.

How can I adapt the activity for different ages while still following the instructions?

For younger kids shorten the opening/middle/ending to one or two sentences and let them draw more instead of long scenes, for middle graders follow the listed sentence counts and add a simple plot twist in the 'Decide a simple problem' step, and for older kids expand each scene into paragraphs, add sensory detail, and add extra dialogue beyond the 'at least two lines' before sharing on DIY.org.

What are some fun ways to extend or personalize the story after finishing the ending and cover doodle?

After you 'give your story a title' and draw the cover, turn the scenes into a short comic by paneled drawings, record a narrated read-aloud with sound effects for the 'Read your story out loud' step, or write a sequel by repeating the planning steps with a new place and problem.