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IT’S ALL ABOUT – WALKING AS A WRITING PROMPT

5/10/2021

12 Comments

 
by Melissa Stoller 


​During the pandemic, many people have been walking outside as a form of exercise, relaxation, and social activity. Next time you promenade, be mindful and consider your five senses. As you stroll along or dash about, use the writing prompts listed below to help expand your idea journal or current manuscripts. You never know where story ideas and details will be hiding, so be ready to reach out and capture them as you meander throughout your environment. 
1. Stop and smell the roses – literally. Follow your nose toward flowers, the smell of freshly-baked donuts in a bakery, or wood burning in a fireplace. What story images come to mind.

2. Notice sight details that might have previously escaped. Peek at the doors in your neighborhood. Stare at vehicles moving by. What landscapes are visible as you walk? Are any animals (pets or wildlife) visible as you walk? Pick one and write a few lines.

3. Touch a few objects in your environment. A leaf, a park bench, a flagpole, the corner of a building, a window pane. Jot down some specific and detailed observations about your chosen object. Now write a setting detail that could be part of a story.

4. What can you taste during your walk? A warm coffee? An ice cream cone? A tall glass of ice water with lemon? Could any of those foods or drinks become part of a story?

5. What do you hear as you move through your area? Birds tweeting, horns blaring, construction banging, children laughing, and more. Add those sounds into a manuscript.
Next time you are ambling outside, use your senses as prompts. Be open to the possibilities, and perhaps you will think of a story idea or add some interesting details to an already existing manuscript. And enjoy the walk!

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MELISSA'S BIO:

Melissa Stoller is the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Return to Coney Island (Clear Fork Publishing); and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush, Ready, Set, GOrilla!, and Sadie’s Shabbat Stories. (Clear Fork). Melissa is a Blogger and Course Assistant for the Children’s Book Academy, a Regional Ambassador for The Chapter Book Challenge, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, and a founding member of The Book Meshuggenahs. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer and editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and long beach walks.

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CONNECT:  
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https://www.MelissaStoller.com
https://www.MelissaStoller.com/blog 
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller
http://www.twitter.com/melissastoller
http://www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller
http://www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller
https://www.TheBookMeshuggenahs.com 

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12 Comments
Moni Ritchie Hadley link
5/10/2021 10:24:58 pm

I love this post, Melissa! I get a lot of ideas when I walk. I recently started writing on my phone as I walk so I don't forget them. -not recommended, but sometimes you just have to get the idea down! : )

Reply
Melissa Stoller link
6/9/2021 05:18:42 am

I totally agree, Moni! I write everything down LOL! Can't wait to see where your new ideas take you! Thanks for the comment!

Reply
Annette link
5/11/2021 11:18:15 am

Melissa, Great article! I agree, living life and getting out there stirs creative juices. Well done! Annette

Reply
Melissa Stoller link
6/9/2021 05:19:24 am

Thanks so much, Annette! Yes...getting out there! Cheers to that! Thanks for the comment!

Reply
LAURA BOWER
5/12/2021 07:14:20 am

Great article Melissa and great reminder to be more present - there are stories all around us!

Reply
Melissa Stoller link
6/9/2021 05:20:17 am

Thanks for commenting, Laura. Being more present is so important to remember and practice...cheers to us all for trying!

Reply
Ellen Levrnthal link
5/12/2021 01:54:09 pm

Great post, Melissa! I started doing all that on my walks. I noticed small things about my neighborhood that I hadn’t noticed before. And yes, I am trying to work a pb around one of those details. Thanks!

Reply
Melissa Stoller link
6/9/2021 05:21:05 am

Thanks, Ellen! I'm so happy to hear this. I can't wait to see the stories that pop up from your neighborhood walks! They will be amazing!

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Sharon Giltrow
5/12/2021 10:27:15 pm

These are such great ideas to add depth to stories.

Reply
Melissa Stoller link
6/9/2021 05:22:03 am

Thank you for stopping by, Sharon. Yes...adding details and sensory images does add depth which is so important! Glad this was helpful for you!

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Theresa A Nielsen
5/25/2021 05:28:04 am

Great ideas, Melissa. When I'm out with my dogs I'm so busy focusing on them that I don't often look. Lately I take a walk alone, 1. to get in my steps and 2. to notice what I missed the first time.

Reply
Melissa Stoller link
6/9/2021 05:23:11 am

This is so true, Theresa! Pups demand a lot of attention. I'm so glad you are taking time for you to get out there (and get your steps!). I try to do the same! Thanks for the comment!

Reply



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    We are so excited to be mixing things up at CBA, beginning with some delicious additions to the Blogfish. Meet our  awesome bloggers!!

    Here's our lineup:
    1st Mondays begin with awesome multi-published former student Shirin Shamsi who will be focusing on Muslim and cultural kidlit.

    2nd Mondays will feature super smart Melissa Stoller whose career is taking off with several new books.
     

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  • Home
  • WRITING
    • Mastering Great Graphic Novels >
      • 2023 Mastering Graphic Novels Registration
    • Craft & Business of Writing Childrens Picture Books
    • The Chapter Book Alchemist
    • New!! Middle Grade Mastery Instant Access
    • 2022 Kidlit Palooza >
      • 2022 Palooza Program
      • 2022 Palooza Faculty
  • ILLUSTRATION
    • NEW!! Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Books Instant Access
    • Never a Dull Moment Workshop
  • TECH
  • About Us
    • Why Us?
    • Meet the Faculty, Lives & GT Judges
    • Testimonials
    • Books by Students
    • Our Bookshop
    • As Seen In
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Blogfish
  • MN Course Access
  • Community
    • Our Bookshop
    • Come Play With Us!
    • Resources
    • Course Scholarships >
      • Yuyi Morales Picture Book Scholarship
      • Andrea Davis Pinkney MG CB Mastery Scholarship
      • Rafael Lopez Illustrating Childrens Books Scholarships
      • Larissa Marantz Merit & Need Scholarship