Spark Your Creativity by Trying Something New

7/17/2023

by Bryan Patrick Avery

It’s been a hectic (but still fun) year for me. This Fall, my 20th book will be published. I was talking to a friend about this milestone and they asked me a question I hadn’t considered: “Do you ever get burned out?” The question stumped me for a moment. Then, I realized that, no, I don’t get burned out.

So, how do I avoid getting burned out? To be honest, I can’t claim that I do this on purpose. It just stems from what I like to read and write. I write across formats (e.g. prose, verse, graphic novel), reading levels (e.g. picture books, chapter books, middle grade) and genre (e.g. realistic, mystery, science fiction).

My next project is also a bit different than my last, so I get to approach storytelling from a new perspective each time. It’s challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. If you find yourself getting burned out, or even just a little but stuck. Try branching out into new territory. You may find it helps unleash your creativity and boosts your enthusiasm. Not sure where to start? Here area few of my suggestions for reading in some of my favorite genres to give you some mentor text to get you started

Chapter Books
Clementine by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee
Magic Tree House #7: Sunset of the Sabertooth by Mary Pope Osborne
The Amazing Life of Azaleah Lane by Nikki Shannon Smith, illustrated by Mari Lobo

Middle Grade Mysteries
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Murder on the Safari Star by M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman
Chester Keene Cracks the Code by Kekla Magoon

Graphic Novels
School Trip by Jerry Craft
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey

Novels in Verse
Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes
Hate that Cat by Sharon Creech
Alone by Megan E. Freeman

I have a lot of books on my shelves but, lately, these are the ones I’ve been turning to for inspiration in my own writing. Give one or two (or all) of them a try.

Well, that’s all for this month. Happy writing and have a magical month.

Bryan Patrick Avery is an award-winning poet and author of more than a dozen books for children including the middle grade collective biography, BLACK MEN IN SCIENCE, illustrated by Nikita Leanne and THE FREEMAN FIELD PHOTOGRAPH, illustrated by Jerome White. Bryan is also the author of the middle-grade story, “The Magic Day Mystery”, which appears in SUPER PUZZLETASTIC MYSTERIES, the Jake Maddox JV Mysteries OFF BASE and SOCCER SUSPICIONS, the early chapter book series, MR. GRIZLEY’S CLASS, illustrated by Arief Putra, and the picture books EARL LEARNS A LESSON and MAX’S MAGIC CHANGE, both illustrated by Roman Diaz. He is the 2021 recipient of the SCBWI Work in Progress Award for his chapter book mystery THE ROBOT IN THE LIBRARY.

Bryan serves on the Board of Directors of the Northern California Chapter of Mystery Writers of America and is an Amplify Black Stories Fellow, a joint program presented by the Brown Bookshelf and the Highlights Foundation. Bryan lives in Northern California with his family.

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Spark Your Creativity by Trying Something New

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