Today's middle school students are used to (and tired of) writing activities that must fit a specific, testable format or structure; however, there is little joy to be found in a 5-paragraph essay. In this session, participants are presented with 12 writing activities that enhance character, creativity, self-awareness, and individual expression. Several activities are brief and humorous while others require extensive, introspective responses--and each of these lessons has been "classroom-tested" in both gifted and mixed-ability middle school classrooms. Interested in turning even your reluctant writers into wordsmiths? This session is for you.