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! 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. CONNECT: 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
12 Comments
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! : )
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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!
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6/9/2021 05:19:24 am
Thanks so much, Annette! Yes...getting out there! Cheers to that! Thanks for the comment!
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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 Aussie debut author and former student Amanda Lieber who will be focusing on Aussie kidlit. 2nd Mondays will feature super smart Melissa Stoller whose career is taking off with several new books. 3rd Mondays will feature STEM, STEAM & SEL obsessed author Kourtney LaFavre sharing delightfully dorky, quirky, and fun info. 4th Mondays will be a mystery for right now. And 5th Mondays we'll be taking a break Archives
September 2023
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