By Melissa Stoller February is a wonderful time to reflect on friendship and love. Valentine’s Day falls squarely in the middle of the month, perhaps bringing cards, candies, flowers, and special sentiments. This holiday can help you generate heartfelt ideas. Canva Image Here are a few prompts you can use for inspiration this season. 1) Check out cards at a card shop. Or write you own greetings. Notice themes that resonate with you. Can you imagine characters delivering any of the messages? Maybe the cards will spark a first line or story plot. 2) View online images of candies and flowers. Draw a scene that includes some of your favorite images. You can use stick figures! You can also add in some words. Then write a scene incorporating your artwork, words, and ideas. 3) Think about friends from your childhood. Write down three traits that you liked about each friend. Next, do the same with current friends. Also, write down three places where you visited with these friends. And finally, jot down three situations that included these friends. Mix and match the categories and see if you come up with a story plot. I hope these prompts help you generate and develop ideas and stories filled with heart this month. Let me know in the comments! MELISSA’S BIO: Melissa Stoller writes to bring connection, joy, and a bit of magic to her readers. Her newest picture book, Hazel and Mabel: Two Hearts Apart, illustrated by Anita Bagdi, releases from Gnome Road Publishing in Fall 2025. Melissa is also the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Return to Coney Island, and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written). Melissa is a Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Rate Your Story Judge, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, a Book Meshuggenahs member, a Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Trustee, and a past school and Synagogue Trustee. She also interviews authors and offers resources on her blog. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer/editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and Central Park walks. Melissa is represented by The Seymour Agency. CONNECT WITH MELISSA: https://www.MelissaStoller.com https://www.MelissaStoller.com/blog http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller www.twitter.com/melissastoller www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller As we embrace the new year, it's the perfect time for picture book writers to reflect on their writing journey and set meaningful resolutions. Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting your picture book adventure, the beginning of the year offers everyone a fresh canvas to explore new ideas and hone your craft. However, the task of resolutions can prove daunting. Here are a few suggestions to get you started. Set Clear Writing Goals Begin the year by establishing clear and achievable writing goals. Consider setting targets for the number of manuscripts you aim to complete, submission goals, or even specific aspects of your writing style that you want to improve. Having concrete goals will provide direction and motivation for your writing journey. Create a Writing Schedule Develop a consistent writing schedule that fits into your daily routine. Whether dedicating a specific time each day or designating certain days of the week for writing, having a routine helps cultivate discipline. Consistency is critical; a well-established writing schedule can significantly contribute to productivity. Join Writing Communities Connect with fellow picture book writers through online forums, social media groups, or local writing communities. Sharing experiences, seeking advice, and participating in discussions can provide valuable insights and encouragement. Building a supportive network can be instrumental in navigating the challenges and celebrating the successes of your writing journey. Explore New Themes and Perspectives Challenge yourself to explore new themes and perspectives in your writing. Step outside your comfort zone and experiment with different genres or storytelling techniques. This exploration can spark creativity and add depth to your picture book repertoire. So, fellow picture book conjurers, let's toast to a year of penning tales that sparkle with wonder, characters that make us laugh and cry, and endings that leave us longing for more. May your writing desk be a portal to infinite possibilities, and may the ink in your pen be infused with the enchantment of storytelling. Brentom Jackson is an award winning poet/writer, actor and psychotherapist in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. With poetic voice, theatrical flair, and socio-emotional expertise Brentom tells stories that explore the universal lessons within Black-American history and heritage. His debut picture book Elijah's Easter Suit with Doubleday/Penguin Random House is available for pre-order now. Follow him on all social media @brentomjackson. www.brentomjackson.com By Melissa Stoller Cheers to 2024! It’s a new year - time to discover, catch, and cultivate new ideas! Here are a few prompts to help you gather ideas that you can turn into stories and books. Canva Image 1) Write about a new year custom or ritual that you enjoyed as a child, or celebrate now as an adult. Think about the tastes, smells, sights, and sounds of your celebrations. Include some sensory details in your story. 2) Look at the holiday cards you sent or received last month. Notice the emotions and settings in the photos or messages. Perhaps a title, line, or scene will spring to mind. 3) Take a first day walk in nature! Jot down sights and sounds from your neighborhood. Perhaps you can feature one of the moments you encounter in a book plot. 4) Call an old friend and reconnect for the new year. After your conversation, make a list of some traits you enjoy about your friend. Then try to write a friendship story. 5) Make a list of resolutions. Notice any similarities and themes in your resolutions. Let your list spark some story ideas. I hope these prompts help you jump into January with plenty of ideas that you can use to write stories in 2024. Let me know in the comments! Happy New Year! MELISSA’S BIO: Melissa Stoller writes to bring connection, joy, and a bit of magic to her readers. Her newest picture book, Hazel and Mabel: Two Hearts Apart, illustrated by Anita Bagdi, releases from Gnome Road Publishing in Fall 2025. Melissa is also the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Return to Coney Island, and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written). Melissa is a Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Rate Your Story Judge, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, a Book Meshuggenahs member, a Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Trustee, and a past school and Synagogue Trustee. She also interviews authors and offers resources on her blog. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer/editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and Central Park walks. Melissa is represented by The Seymour Agency. CONNECT WITH MELISSA: https://www.MelissaStoller.com https://www.MelissaStoller.com/blog http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller www.twitter.com/melissastoller www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller The price we must pay for brilliance is attention. In a world of increasing distractions, attention is a scarce commodity. We are bombarded with tweets, pings, and telephone rings. How do we quiet the noise, pay attention, and write brilliantly? The ancient practice of mindfulness, with a few modern innovations, might be the key. USE DISTRACTIONS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE In my work as a psychotherapist, I recommend two things to every client. Practice journaling and develop personalized mindfulness practices. Before you book your ticket to meditate in the Himalayas, I must point out that meditation is only ONE type of mindfulness practice. Here is an alternative that is a bit more user-friendly:
This method helps you accomplish a few things: It helps you disengage your judgmental voice. Making it more likely you will eventually break the habit. If judgmental thoughts are not dealt with effectively, they can wreak havoc. You may engage in the habit more to cope with the negative emotions they create. You learn to refocus. Often, people think of mindfulness and meditation as a static state of fixed attention. However, the intention is to teach your body/mind to refocus on your objective (observing the breath, sensations, or repeating a mantra). The more you practice refocusing, the faster this process occurs in everyday life, and it will start to appear as if you never lose focus. When actually you’ve just developed lightning-fast refocusing super-powers. Gently and slowly, bringing your attention back to your characters by imagining how they may react in this present moment will possibly spark some ideas and reignite the drive to continue writing. Who knows? You might even go on to use some of the sensory information you’ve gathered in your story. Now that you’ve overcome your scrolling habit, you may have time to spare. Use it to check out “The Mindful Writer” by Dinty Moore for more great tips on how to reclaim your attention and release your brilliance. Brentom Jackson is an award winning poet/writer, actor and psychotherapist in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. With poetic voice, theatrical flair, and socio-emotional expertise Brentom tells stories that explore the universal lessons within Black-American history and heritage. His debut picture book Elijah's Easter Suit with Doubleday/Penguin Random House is available for pre-order now. Follow him on all social media @brentomjackson. www.brentomjackson.com By Melissa Stoller It’s winter – a season filled with holidays of many faith traditions. Take some time this month to breathe in the joy of the season and add some holiday rituals and magic into your storytelling. Here are a few seasonal prompts to help you dodge into December with ideas! Canva.com 1. Write about a ritual, custom, celebration, or heirloom from your faith tradition. What memories do you associate with the holiday season? Incorporate sensory details into a story scene. 2. Remember a childhood celebration. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of your memories. Perhaps a book title will spring to mind, or even a full story idea. 3. Think about the foods associated with the holidays. Conjure the smells and tastes. Perhaps browse family recipes or bookstore holiday coffee table books. Capture any ideas generated from your research. 4. Look through old family photos of past celebrations. Study the expressions of the people in the photos. Write a story based on the emotions you notice. 5. Watch holiday movies and TV shows. Maybe a plot will inspire a children’s story! I hope these holiday-related prompts help you dodge into December ideas. Let me know in the comments! Happy Holidays! MELISSA’S BIO: Melissa Stoller writes to bring connection, joy, and a bit of magic to her readers. Her newest picture book, Hazel and Mabel: Two Hearts Apart, illustrated by Anita Bagdi, releases from Gnome Road Publishing in Fall 2025. Melissa is also the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Return to Coney Island, and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written). Melissa is a Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Rate Your Story Judge, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, a Book Meshuggenahs member, a Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Advisory Council member, and a past school and Synagogue Trustee. She also interviews authors and offers resources on her blog. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer/editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and Central Park walks. Melissa is represented by Jonathan Rosen at The Seymour Agency. CONNECT WITH MELISSA: https://www.MelissaStoller.com https://www.MelissaStoller.com/blog http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller www.twitter.com/melissastoller www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller |
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 former school psychologist Dr. Debra Collins who will be writing about Social emotional Learning in kidlit and behind the scenes as well as Jewish children's books. 2nd Mondays will feature super smart Melissa Stoller whose career is taking off with several new books. 3rd Mondays will feature our new blogger coming soon. 4th Mondays features new blogger, the fabulous Brentom Jackson, who has a beautiful approach to blogging. And 5th Mondays we'll be taking a break Archives
April 2024
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