by Melissa Stoller September is a perfect month to listen to and appreciate the sounds all around you, and to incorporate those sounds in your story ideas. Adding the senses to manuscripts adds depth, emotion, and richness to the work. Here are a few prompts to help you notice and gather sounds to use in stories this month: Canva Image 1) BUZZ and TWEET - insects and birds are all around in September. Listen carefully to the sounds in your garden, in a neighborhood park, or in a Botanical garden. Then research some of the insects and birds you hear. Perhaps look at photos on your computer or on an APP too. Jot down some story ideas revolving around those sounds. 2) BEEP BEEP - think about transportation sounds. Notice cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, and more. Incorporate the sounds you hear into an existing manuscript or think of a new idea that uses these sounds. 3) SIZZLE, POP, CRACK - listen to sounds in your kitchen or in a restaurant. Notice the sounds in relation to the food. Create an idea based on the foods and the sounds. Write a title, first line, or story arc. I hope these prompts help you discover some ideas this September that incorporate the sights and sounds in your life. Let me know in the comments! MELISSA’S BIO: Melissa Stoller writes to bring connection, joy, and a bit of magic to her readers. She is 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 with Callie Lovvorn and Shirin Rahman). Melissa is a Blogger and Course Assistant 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 Here in Australia, we have just celebrated Book Week. For a week in schools, we appreciate books even more than usual. We dress up as our favourite character from our favourite book and parade around the school. There are so many incredible stories and characters to choose from. The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) organises Book Week and announces the long-awaited winning books of the year. These books have been selected by a panel of judges to create the long list, then the short list. It’s every authors, illustrators and publishers dream to have their books nominated and then picked as a winner. Surrounded by the excitement of Book Week. I would love to share for my very first blog post one of my favourite books that I discovered this year, The Garden at the End of the World. At the end of the world is an island covered in ice. On the island is a mountain. Inside the mountain is a vault. And inside the vault are millions of seeds. When Isla and her botanist mother are out exploring in their garden, hunting for herbs, foraging for fungi, Isla finds a seed pod, beautiful and strange. Isla wants to keep it, but her mother tells her of a special place at the end of the world, a seed vault between Norway and the North Pole. They set off on an adventure to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard to add their seed to this vault for future generations to come. This is a beautiful story of hope, curiosity, adventure and protecting nature’s treasures for the future. Filled with facts about this incredible vault which stores seeds from across the globe. We follow Isla and her mother through the illustrations which add a magical element to story. Briony’s clever use of cyanotype paper to add a whimsical feel. Her end pages are stunning with prints of cyanotype images. A super fun activity to do with or without children! I went straight out and bought myself and my son some of this remarkable paper. Here are some wonderful examples from the book. I really appreciated the information at the end of the book about the Global Seed Vault for the curious minds of little ones who wish find out more about this remarkable place. •GARDEN AT THE END OF THE WORLD •Written by Cassy Polimeni •Illustrated by Briony Stewart •Designed and layout by Hannah Janzen •Published by UQP, 2023 Amanda’s career as a worldly actress has been her favourite so far, she hopes writing for children will be her next new favourite! In between, she’s taught English, Drama and early childcare and now works with children with special needs, where she bring her imaginative flair into the classroom, always dreaming of the being back on the stage.
Amanda’s writes a variety of stories from those that are sensitive, humorous and sometimes quirky with fairytale-esque elements. She hopes her books will influence children to read and write their own wonderful stories. Being active in SCBWI, CBCA NSW and a graduate of the Children's Book Academy keeps Amanda focused and honing her craft. Her debut picture book My Giant Sea Shell is now available https://amandalieber.com/books/ Find Amanda here: https://amandalieber.com/ https://www.instagram.com/amandalieber https://www.facebook.com/amanda.lieber.1 Thinking Like A Scientist to Craft Captivating Children's Stories By Kourtney LaFavre Kidlit writers have a unique ability to transport young minds into fantastical worlds, sparking their imagination and curiosity. But have you ever considered taking the role of a scientist in creating remarkable stories? Just like scientists use observation, experimentation, and critical thinking to unravel the mysteries of the universe, children's book writers can employ a similar mindset to create their next unforgettable story. Let’s explore how thinking like a scientist can lead to the creation of a truly exceptional children's story. 1. Observe the World Around You Scientists begin their journey by keenly observing the world around them. Similarly, as a children's book writer, your first step is to be an astute observer of children, their interactions, and their environment. Pay attention to their behaviors, interests, and questions. What excites them? What perplexes them? These observations will serve as your foundation, helping you craft relatable characters and situations that resonate with your young readers. 2. Ask "What If?" Questions The heart of scientific inquiry lies in asking "What if?" questions that spark curiosity and exploration. Apply this principle to your writing process by asking questions like, "If this animal could talk, what would it say? What would it want people to know?" or "Why is this happening?" These imaginative queries can be the seeds of captivating story lines that take your readers on incredible journeys. 3. Experiment with Ideas Scientists conduct experiments to test hypotheses and uncover new information. Similarly, you can experiment with various story elements to find the perfect combination. Try different character traits, settings, and plot twists to see how they interact and evolve. Just like a scientist learns from failed experiments, your discarded ideas can provide valuable insights that guide you toward the right narrative path. 4. Embrace Curiosity Children are naturally curious, and scientists harness this curiosity to explore uncharted territories. As a children's book writer, channel your inner child and approach your writing with a sense of wonder. Delve into topics that intrigue you and take your readers on a journey of discovery. Whether it's a hidden magical realm or the depths of the ocean, your enthusiasm will be contagious. 5. Research and Learn Scientists dive into research to expand their knowledge base and make informed conclusions. Similarly, thorough research is crucial for crafting authentic and credible children's stories. Whether you're writing about a specific time period, scientific concept, or cultural tradition, accurate details enrich your storytelling and deepen the reader's engagement. 6. Collaborate and Seek Feedback Scientists often collaborate to share insights and refine their theories. Similarly, connecting with other writers, editors, and beta readers can provide fresh perspectives on your story. Constructive feedback helps you refine your ideas, characters, and plot, ensuring your story resonates with its intended audience. 7. Embrace the Unknown In the world of science, breakthroughs come from embracing uncertainty and venturing into the unknown. As a writer, don't be afraid to take risks and explore new narrative territories. Surprise your readers with unexpected twists and turns that challenge their assumptions and keep them eagerly turning the pages. By thinking like a scientist, children's book writers can infuse their stories with wonder, authenticity, and creative magic. Just as scientists uncover hidden truths about the world, you can uncover the hidden depths of your imagination and create stories that captivate young minds for generations to come. So, observe, question, experiment, and explore—let your inner scientist guide you on your quest to craft your next great children's story. Kourtney is a mom, author, and educator with a BS degree in Childhood Studies and 20+ years experience working with children and families in classrooms and other community programs. As a life-long learner she’s always questioning and watching the world with glittering eyes, on the lookout for beautiful and amazing things. Being a SCBWI member and graduate of Children's Book Academy, helps fuel her passion for quality children's literature. She writes to inform and inspire.
Find Kourtney Here: www.facebook.com/kourtneylafavre.writer/ https://www.instagram.com/kourtneylafavre/ https://twitter.com/KourtneyLafavre https://kourtneylafavre.com/ Or find her book here: https://kourtneylafavre.com/book/ By Melissa Stoller August is a fantastic month to create or add to an idea journal. Whether you are enjoying vacations and time spent with family or friends, or you are busy getting ready for back to school activities, you can use this month to augment your list of ideas. Image from Canva Here are a few prompts to help you gather story starters this month: 1) Think about past August months. Trips to theme parks? Lazy summer days at the beach, lake or mountains? Family backyard picnics? Find a detail from one memory and write a scene with a setting using the fives senses for added richness. 2) Choose your favorite summer game or activity. For example: swimming, tennis, backyard games like kickball or badminton, frisbee, board games, kite flying, sand castle building, and more. Write about a character participating in one of these activities during the summertime. 3) Jot down a favorite back to school memory. Shopping for school supplies? Buying back to school clothes? Maybe even summer reading or homework! Imagine a character engaging in these activities and write an opening line, a closing line, or a title. I hope these prompts help you add ideas to your writing journal this August. Let me know in the comments! MELISSA’S BIO: Melissa Stoller writes to bring connection, joy, and a bit of magic to her readers. She is 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 with Callie Lovvorn and Shirin Rahman). Melissa is a Blogger and Course Assistant 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 Hi, Mira Reisberg here and I'm excited to introduce our new Blogfish blogger, Amanda Lieber, who will be doing First Mondays. Amanda is a debut author, who will be sharing about Aussie children's books, and the trials and triumphs of publishing in Australia. Below is a video that we made together to get Amanda oriented with lots of fun and interesting info. Amanda here, this is so exciting. And of course I couldn't resist sharing some of Kathy Creamer's wonderful art. Thank you you so much Kathy for helping to make my dreams come true and thank you Little Pink Dog Books!
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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 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
May 2024
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