Ever Itch to Write?

 

the itch of literature came over me and nothing could cure it but the scratching of a pen. 

When I read this quote for the first time, I knew exactly what the writer meant. There are times when I feel the need to sit down and write. It doesn't have to be a story or essay or poem. Writing a personal letter to a friend can soothe that itch. Or writing in a journal. 

The best thing you can do when that urge to write comes to you is to follow what it is telling you. The gentleman who is quoted probably wrote with an old-fashioned quill pen, but we are fortunate to have the ability to write in several ways.

We can sit at our computer, tap away on our cellphone, or pick up a ballpoint pen, or even a lead pencil, and write immediately. Those who journal most likely keep it in a handy spot and can grab it at will and write whatever is in their mind or on their heart. Some journal on a computer. However you journal, it becomes a habit. If you decide to skip it for a day or two, I have a feeling that the itch to write in your journal comes over you.

Sometimes writers work on assignments or for a piece to submit to a contest or a magazine in hope of being published. It's what writers do. Still, there are times when we are moved to write something for ourselves. A line or two of a poem flits through your mind, and if you don't stop and write it down right away, it can disappear. Write even those two lines and then leave it alone until the 'itch' to write comes upon you.

When that itch to write happens, listen and respond. The more you push it aside, I fear the more of an itch you will have. Could it be your muse telling you to hustle to your favorite writing spot and get busy? It's better to listen to her rather than put up with the nagging she's sure to do.

Genuine Gratitude on This Thanksgiving

 

Has it become trite to list all you are grateful for each Thanksgiivng? Every November, we hear others tell us to be thankful, and we say we are, but to what depth does that gratitude go? Do we merely parrot the words every Thanksgiving, or is our gratitude genuine? 

Some families have each person at the Thanksgiving table offer one thing in life that they are thankful for. It's a tradition, and sometimes family members roll their eyes and think "Oh no, not again." Family members then state one thing for which they are grateful. Some will be carefully thought out whle others might be humorous and still others nothing but fluff. Even so, families who practice offering thanks at the table have created a lifelong memory. 

As for me, I'm grateful for more things in both my everyday life and my writing life than I can possibly list. 

 

In my everyday life, I am grateful for:

• parents who gave me wholesome values
• siblings whom I love--two of whom have passed away
• children who have done well, have good marriages, and have given us grandchildren
• four grandchildren whom I love dearly and who have made me proud
• a strong marriage 
• aunts, uncles, and cousins who have all been a special part of my life
• never having gone hungry or without shelter
• being a Christian
• having a wide circle of friends
• never having a serious health problem 
• and so much more...

In my writing life, I am grateful for:

• being able to write stories and more that entertain or help others
• the ability to keep learning as a writer
• the many writer friends I have made over the years
• the joy of continuing to learn my craft
• the satisfaction I get from writing
• having become a published writer
• writing a variety of stories, essays, poems, memoir, articles and stories for children rather than one category
• living in a technological world that makes being a writer easier than ever before
• the Kansas Authors Club where I have learned, taught, and made myriad friends over the years
• and so much more...

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and much to be grateful for. Perhaps you'll make your own lists. Some of us will be with family this Thanksgiving while others will spned the holiday alone with hope that next year, we can once again gather as families without the fear of catching the covid virus. 

NOTE:  I'm taking a little break. The next post will be on Monday, November 30th.

Writing for Kids and A Feast for Oscar

 

Yesterday's post covered writing for children. There is such a wide variety of avenues to travel when writing for children. Consider that the age range is from 0-18.

If you want to write books for children, take it slowly and work on stories for children's magazines or publications like the Weekly Reader that schools used up until 2012. The Scholastic News is still going and is weekly.  Build up your resume with short story publications. When you do start submitting a book to publishing houses, you can show that you have been successful in writing for children by listing those short pieces. 

Besides building a resume, you will learn a great deal from writing those shorter pieces. Doing the short ones will help ease your way into writing a full book. I've advised writers of memoir to try short memoir pieces before tackling a book-length memoir. 

Once again, use a search engine to find publications that will fit the age group you are writing for. The children's magazines are geared to age groups. I recently sold a story to Cadet Quest which is a Christian magazine for boys 9-14. Read the guidelines carefully to make sure it's a good fit for what you have written. Many of the children's magazines and ezines are geared to boys or girls, while others include both genders. 

Pay attention to the trends in children's publishing. There was a time when mood picture books were very popular, then they phased out. Publishers tend to follow the trends, so you may want to keep that in mind.

Since Thanksgiving is only two days away, I'm going to close today with my Thanksgiving story for kids that was published a few years ago in a magazine. The idea came from an experience I had at about age 10. When you read the story, you'll see the reason for the cereal box shown with today's post. 

A Feast For Oscar 

“Turkey!” shouted three boys in the back row of Miss Edwards’ fourth-grade class.

“What else?” our teacher asked.

Melissa Martin waved her hand. “How abour sweet potatoes and cranberries?” 

We were listing foods people usually eat for Thanksgiving. Thinking of all those good things made my mouth water and my stomach growl like a hungry lion. I raised my hand and waved it back and forth so Miss Edwards would call on me.

“Yes Tim,” she said.

I added my Thanksgiving favorite. “How about stuffing for the turkey?”

Nearly everyone in our class named something—everyone except for Oscar Livingood.

Miss Edwards strolled between the rows of desks. “Oscar, what will you have for this special dinner?” she asked.

Oscar ducked his head and mumbled words that sounded like, Cereal, I guess.”

The class roared with laughter. I laughed long and hard at what Oscar had said. Oscar was a real comic.

Miss Edwards held up her hand for quiet, then asked Oscar, “Are you sure?”

Oscar kept his eyes on the desktop. “Pretty sure. That’s what we have most nights.”

Miss Edwards patted Oscar on the head and returned to the front of the room.

We waited. What would she say now?

“Take out your English books and turn to page 67.” 

That was it. She never mentioned Oscar’s strange remark. Instead, she erased the long list of foods on the chalkboard and the subject of Thanksgiving dinner was dropped.

I walked home from school alone that day. I couldn’t stop thinking about Oscar. The guy had a funny name and it sounded life he ate funny, too. Maybe he wasn’t trying to amuse us, maybe he was serious.

I ran into the house letting the screen door slam behind me. I cringed and waited for Mom to yell “Don’t slam that door!” but she didn’t say a word. She was at the kitchen table writing.

I grabbed an apple from the bowl on the counter and peered over her shoulder. “Hey Mom, what are you doing?”

She smiled but kept on writing. “I’m making a grocery list for Thanksgiving. There are so many extra things to buy when you create a super-duper, fantastic feast like we’ll have next week. Your Gran is coming and so is Uncle Pete.”

I said, “Get lots of good stuff. I’m saving up to eat enough for two people.” Mom’s list included all my favorites—turkey, cranberries, pumpkin, potatoes and sweet potatoes. On and on it went. “Yum, I can’t wait for Thanksgiving.”

“We have a lot to be thankful for.” Mom said. “Not everyone can afford to buy all these extrea things for a holiday dinner.”

Her comment made me think of Oscar, and I didn’t like the picture forming in my mind. Would Oscar and his mom sit at their table with nothing but two bowls of cereal? I shook my head a little to clear the picture away and went upstairs to start on my homework.

The next day I watched Oscar Livingood. He needed a haircut, and his clothes looked pretty worn and raggedy. Most days, Oscar faded into the background because he didn’t have much to say. Maybe that’s why I never paid much attention to him before. Now, all I could think of was the bowl of cereal he’d eat for Thanksgiving dinner.

On Monday morning, Miss Edwards announced that the class would make up a basket of food for a needy family for a class project. By the day before Thanksgiving, cans and boxes rested in the basket our teacher had provided. Even Oscar slipped a can of soup in with the rest. Miss Edwards would add a turkey at the last minute.

We held a drawing to determine who would go with the teacher to deliver the basket. I drew one of the lucky tickets, and so did Oscar. After school, we climbed into Miss Edwards’ van.  She stopped at the market to pick up the turkey and we were off to visit the family whose name had been given to us. They knew we were coming, but even so, their faces lit up with happiness when they opened the door. The mother and father thanked us over and over, and three little kids fingered the overflowing basket.

On the way home, I said to Oscar, “It’s good to help people who really need help, isn’t it?

Oscar grinned and pushed his long hair off his forehead. “They’ll remember this Thanksgiving for a long time. They’ll know somebody cared.”

Suddenly, the bowl of cereal popped into my head again. “Oscar, who are you going to be with tomorrow?”

“Just my mom.”

That night I tossed and turned in my bed while I dreamed about giant boxes of cereal marching in a parade. When I woke up, I knew what my plan for the day would be. First, I’d talk to Mom and Dad and tell them about Oscar and his mother. Next, I would walk down to Oscar’s house and invite them to join us at our dinner table. I wanted him to know somebody cared about him, too. Oscar was not going to eat cereal on Thanksgiving Day.

(C)

Ever Tried to Write a Story for Kids?

 

I was thinking about writing for kids recently and wondered how many writers have given it a try. Just tell a story but make it shorter? Is that all it takes? 

Writing for children is not such an easy task. The list below is a part of what a children's writer needs to consider:

• word count
• don't preach
• entertain
• provide a lesson without having to state it 
• vocabulary suited to the age level
• choosing an age level to write for
• trends in children's books and stories
• learn to be concise
• know what kids are like in today's world
• don't let adults solve the problem for a child

If you want to write for children, pick an age group that you intend to target. Baby-toddler 0-3, Picture Books 2-8, EZ Readers 4-7, Chapter Books 6-9, Middle Grade 8-12, Young Adult (YA) 13-18. That's a wide range, and whichever you choose, do some reading on how to write for the age group that interests you. I chose Middle Grade primarily because many years ago, I taught 3rd and 4th grade, and I know more about children in that group. 

Do some reading to learn about the ins and outs of this kind of writing. One excellent article I found in a search is one from The Writer magazine that highlights the things you should not do when writing for children. Read it here.

When I first started writing, my goal was to write for children, so I applied to take a correspondence course from the Institute for Children's Literature which has been around for a very long time. In the 10 lessons I completed, I learned a great deal, established a base for writing stories for kids, and gained some confidence. You can find them online.

I have had a number of children's stories published online and in magazines but moved on to other kinds of writing. Even so, I still write a children's story every now and then. I have been inspired by newspaper stories of actual happenings, historical events, and memories. 

One of my early stories was based on a newspaper article that talked about the number of working mothers who instructed their child to spend the after-school hours in the public library. Definitely a solution to a parent's dilemma. I wrote a fictitious story based on the article. I'll post it below. It was published in Knowonder! magazine and received a Reader's Award. More tomorrow on writing for children.

There’s A Dragon In The Library

Wilhemina Higgins’ long braids bounced as she ran down the narrow tunnel the bookshelves made in the Westlake Public Library. Her untied shoelaces slapped against well-worn sneakers. Past the Js, Ks, and Ls she flew, only slowing slightly as she rounded the corner. 

     

Wilhemina spied a dragon waiting at the end of the row of shelves.  She screeched to a sudden stop. Her heart thumped.

    

At first,  it was silent. Then the monster snorted, lifted its huge head, took in a gigantic breath inward,  and fell silent again.

    

Wilhemina swallowed and took one step back. Before she could turn and retrace her path, the enormous dragon reared back on its hind legs, threw back its massive head, and breathed out a whoosh! Smoke curled from its nostrils while flames burst forth from the great mouth. The dragon clawed the air and flapped magnificent wings. The green and purple scales that covered the beast from head to toe gleamed under the library lights. Its amber eyes glinted like cut crystal.

    

 “Wilhemina Higgins!” The dragon roared. “How many times have you been told? There is no running in the library.”

     

 “Do you mean today, Miss Philpot?” Wilhemina looked right into the dragon’s eyes. “Or did you mean all week?”

    

 “You know the rules,” the librarian said. “Why do you come here, if not to read?” Miss Philpot breathed heavily, and she opened and closed her claws.

      

Wilhemina feared the dragon might snort and spurt fire again at any minute.

      

“My mother doesn’t get home from work until 5 o’clock.” Wilhemina’s voice was as firm as Miss Philpot’s. “She says the library is a safe place for me to stay after school.”

    

 The dragon pulled her sweater close around her shoulders. “If you cannot follow the rules, you must go outside.”

    

 “It’s cold as a bowl of ice cream out there, and it’s going to rain, too,” Wilhemina answered.

     

 “Then go sit on the steps.”

    

 “The steps are as hard as rocks.”

    

 “You could stay at school,” Miss Philpot answered, barely moving her lips as she spoke.

    

 “There’s no one there,” Wilhemina answered back, in the same way, lips scarcely moving.

     

 “Then you must study while you’re here.”  Miss Philpot’s eyes flashed, and her hands turned claw-like once more.

“I’ve studied all day,” Wilhemina told her. She folded her arms and spread her feet apart, ready for battle.

     

The dragon hissed and narrowed its eyes. “Don’t be insolent.”

    

 “I don’t know what that means,” Wilhemina said.

    

 “Then go look it up!” Miss Philpot cried as she rushed to her desk.

     

Wilhemina felt a tug on her shirttail and turned around. “What do you want?” 

     

Eyes wide, the tugger looked up at Wilhemina. “Is she mad at you?” 

     

Wilhemina sighed. “Every day. So, what’s your problem, Lucy Ann?”

    

 “I’m bored.”

    

 “Then go read a book.” Wilhemina thought her answer sounded a great deal like Miss Philpot.

    

 “Can’t read yet,” Lucy Ann replied. She pushed her bottom lip over the top one and stared at Wilhemina.

     

 “Oh go away and leave me alone,” Wilhemina said. She sprinted along the line of shelves ignoring the brightly colored book jackets. She stopped at the tall library windows where rain beat against the panes and thunder rattled them. She put her elbows on the windowsill, curled her hands around her cheeks, and watched the wind bend the tree branches outside.

    

There was another tug on her shirt. Without looking around, she said, “What do you want now, Lucy Ann?”

    

 “Read this to me.” Lucy Ann held up a large picture book.

 Wilhemina shrugged and took the book Lucy Ann held out. “Why not?” She sighed.

They marched past the dragon’s desk. Miss Philpot watched silently, but Wilhemina thought she could see tiny wisps of smoke curling from under her nose.

     

The two girls sat at a round table, and Wilhemina read aloud in a quiet voice, wriggling on her chair as she turned the pages.

    

 “You can do better than that, Wilhemina.” Lucy Ann scowled. “You sound dull.”

     

There was a moment of silence. Then Wilhemina said, “You’re right!” She sat up straighter, flipped back to page one, and read with more feeling. She used a different voice for each character in the story. Halfway through, she noticed three more listeners around the table.

     

“Keep going,” one of them said when she stopped reading.

    

Wilhemina laughed and continued reading the story and showing the pictures to the younger children.

    

From the corner of her eye, she spied a fluffy, long-haired cat dancing about on dainty paws. Its amber eyes surveyed the group at the table. Then, the cat purred deep in its throat.

     

When Wilhemina closed the book, the cat purred again and said, “Wilhemina Higgins, you read that book wonderfully well. Perhaps you could start an after-school story club. What do you think?”

     

“I think I would like that very much, Miss Philpot.” Wilhemina reached out to shake the paw the librarian offered her.

(C)

    

Writers Face Many Kinds of Days

 

What good advice our poster quote has for us today. Four places we've all been and a positive reason for each. Let's look at them, one by one.

1. Good days give happiness:  In our writing world, happiness prevails when our writing runs smoothly. Also when we get an acceptance letter or email from an editor. We zoom up on the Happiness chart. Elation is our friend when we receive the publication that our work in which our work is published. Any one of these things will bring joy. If only we could bottle it and use some on days that are not so good.
2. Bad days give experience:  We all have bad days as we move down our writing path. There are days when nothing goes right. You get stuck in a story. You try to revise a draft and it looks like an impossible task. Words fail you when you need them the most. I don't know about you, but when things start going wrong in the morning, it seems like the problems last through the day. Maybe it's a bad attitude that makes it feel that way. Someone should do a study on this.
3. Worst days give lessons:  Whenever we hit one roadblock after another, we should step back and look for the lesson. It's there, but very often, we are blind to it. We do have to search sometimes to find the lesson we should learn when our writing day goes into a deep, dark well. Don't give up. Keep asking yourself what you should or could learn from what happened. Be sarcastic if you must, but keep searching for something you can learn. 
4. Best days give memories:  Now here's a positive that we can benefit from. We keep the best days in our memory bank for a long time. Every now and then, it's helpful to ponder on the memory of one of the best times in your writing life. Maybe you won an award or a contest or landed a great contract. Those are experiences we'd like to live over and over. Maybe, if you're having a bad day trying to write, you should reach for those memories of the good things that you experienced to give yourself a needed boost. 

Did you notice that the word 'give' appears in each of the four points? 'Give' and 'gift' are related. Consider the four points as a gift to help you move on your writing journey. Now, look again at the opening of today's quote Never regret a day in your life. I'd insert the word 'writing' before life since we're visiting about writing on this blog. 

Don't Use Cliches in Writing

 

Autumn Leaves

Do you depend on cliches when you write? Do you use them when having a conversation with family or friends? Most of us probably slip many cliches into our chatting with others. Writers, however, should avoid them like the plague. Ooops ...'like the plague' is a cliche. 

A cliche is a word or phrase that is commonly used and usually overused. Use them too often, and they lose their effectiveness. A story filled with cliches makes the writer look a bit lazy and also uncreative.

According to the Macmillan Dictionary Blog:  The word cliché comes from the French verb ‘clicher’ meaning ‘to stereotype’.

Here's a partial list of widely used cliches:

• shaking like a leaf
• dead as a doornail
• avoid it like the plague
• thick as thieves
• plenty of fish in the sea
• think outside the box
• like a kid in a candy store

The phrases above are only a very few of the many, many cliches we use on a daily basis. They do bring a clear image to us, but in writing, we should shun them. For a quick exercise, think of a better, less well-known way to phrase the seven listed above.

When I was a newbie writer, I was the Queen of Cliches. I didn't realize until other writers who critiqued my work marked them that I tended to speak in cliches. It stood to reason that I transferred those oral thoughts into my writing. Every story or essay I subbed to my writing group came back with one or more cliches marked. They began to feel like someone was pinching me, telling me to stop doing this. I worked at the problem and am much better today. I learned that coming up with a better phrase helped me be creative, and it also made me think about eliminating those easy cliches instead of blithely using them. Am I perfect now? Not by a longshot! Ooops, there's another one. 

Cliches stand out to an editor who reads your work. One might get a pass. Two or more in one piece will probably get a rejection. If you have the habit that I did, work on breaking it. I still slip up sometimes, and I am irritated when it happens because I know better.

Do a search using the keywords 'cliches in writing' to read more about this small but important part of our writing world.

Making My First Pie--A Memory

 

I love today's photo because it brings back a memory of me at age 4 making my first pie (with help). I have written a short memoir piece--short as opposed to a book-length memoir. It's my memory, but it also tells something about my family and the time when it happened.

You can write a family story about a memory. When something triggers the memory, don't just let it pass on by. Ponder on it a while. Close your eyes. Can you see the place where the memory took place? The people involved? Yourself? Once you've given some thought, start writing the first draft. As you write, more of the memory will come to mind. 

As an example, my story is below. Maybe it will trigger one of your own. 

My First Pie--Made With Grandma’s Magic

I’ve made countless pies in my life, but the memory of the first one is as clear as a sunny April sky. I was a pre-school child, growing up in the WWII years. My mother and I spent our mornings at my grandmother’s neighborhood bakery.

Grandma started her bakery in a tiny apartment kitchen in a Chicago suburb during the Depression years. When her home business grew, she rented a building large enough for a working area and a display center. My mother and her brother helped with the baking, and a young Czechoslovakian girl named Adeline waited on customers. Occasionally, Adeline baked, too. They weren’t professionals but turned out delectable cakes, pies, cookies and breads day after day to supply the neighborhood. The door in the display room opened and closed repeatedly through the day.

 

By the time I turned three, I’d stand on a large metal flour canister next to Grandma. I watched while she mixed, rolled, and formed cinnamon rolls, dinner buns, and loaves of bread. I looked on intently as she mixed pie crust and prepared fruit for her fast-selling pies. If I talked too much or got in her way, I landed none-too-gently on my bottom on a bench alongside a long picnic table used for tea breaks. And there I sat, watching from afar, until Grandma nodded her head which was crowned with a coiled braid. When she offered me a tiny glimmer of a smile, I scurried back to my perch next to her.

She offered me tastes of many of the goodies in the bakery. I nibbled on cookies, bits of cake, and rolls, but my favorite was pie crust. It didn’t matter if it was part of a pie or only the crust itself. If a pie shell came out of the oven with a crack in it, Grandma allowed me to break it into pieces and eat it when cooled—a wish come true. To make a pie of my own was yet another wish, so I watched very closely when Grandma made pies.

Grandma placed the pastry dough on a floured board, then she shaped it into a big round powder puff. She floured the rolling pin before applying pressure on that ball of dough. She rolled up and down, then sideways several times. The circle got thinner and larger, and when Grandma laid the rolling pin down, I handed her the pie tin. She folded the pie crust in half and lifted it with ease into the pan. Zap! She flipped the folded half over to cover the pan, and then her hands flew as she fluted the edge and pricked the center with the tines of a fork several times.

“Don’t forget to do this or you’ll have big bubbles in your pie shell,” she reminded me many times. I listened carefully for she seemed a wizard, performing magic with all the things she baked.

If Grandma was making a fruit pie, she didn’t prick the bottom crust. She mixed apples or peaches or apricots with sugar, a bit of flour and some cinnamon, then piled the fruit high in the pie crust, adding generous pats of butter. The top piece of pastry received special treatment. Grandma used a small paring knife to cut slits and tiny holes in a decorative pattern in the center of the crust before she folded it in half and lifted it onto the waiting, fruit-filled pie pan. Then her fingers worked their magic as she fluted the edge before sliding the newest pie into the oven. 

Finally, a day arrived when Grandma put her flour-covered hands on her apron-covered hips and said to me, “Isn’t it time you made a pie? You’re four years old.”

 

A tiny shiver traveled up my spine. “By myself?”

 

“You might need a little help. Adeline can show you what to do.” She pointed toward Adeline who waited nearby.

Adeline set a huge flour canister on the floor and lifted me onto it. She had everything we needed ready and waiting--a small, tart-size pie tin, a rolling pin, flour, and the pie crust dough. She folded a flour sack dish towel in a triangle and tied it around my waist. Then she said, “OK, roll out the dough, Nancy.” 

I shook my head. “We make a powder puff first.”

After forming the dough into a round, I picked up the rolling pin, a smaller version of Grandma’s, and I started to roll it across the dough. But it stuck! Before Adeline could tell me, I said, “I know what we need--flour on the rolling pin.” I pried the wooden tool from the crust, floured it and tried again. I did it exactly as Grandma had done so many

times as I watched her. I rolled up and down, then sideways and up and down again, but I didn’t have a perfect circle. It looked so easy when Grandma did it.

I didn’t have time to cry over that fiasco, as Adeline assured me it would be all right. “Now fold it over and put it in the pan,” she said.

 

That part I did with ease. She handed me the bowl of apples, already mixed so they were sweet and spicy. I dumped them into the pie shell, but half of the apples landed on the counter. I scooped them up with my flour-covered hands and piled them on top of the ones already in the pie shell. I remembered to flour the rolling pin before attacking the pastry for the top of the pie. This time Adeline put her hands over mine and helped me make a better circle, not perfect but better. After she cut slits in the dough into a letter A, I folded it in half and carefully picked it up. Plop! Down it went onto the apples. Adeline showed me how to pinch the pastry together around the edges to make a fancy finish. My fingers didn’t have the magic like Grandma’s, and my edge didn’t look nearly as pretty, but Adeline told me it looked very fine for a first pie. I clung to her side when she showed it to Grandma and waited to see what she’d say.

 

Grandma looked at the pie for a long time. “It looks like a nice little pie. You did a good job.” 

My heart swelled at those few words.

 

When Adeline slid my pie out of the oven, the cinnamon and apple aroma filled the air. I could see the filling bubbling through the slits in the golden-brown crust. “It has to cool before you can eat it,” she warned.

“I’m taking it home to my daddy,” I told her. “It’s all for him. Every bite!” 

Although my father seldom ate dessert, that night he had a piece of my pie. “It’s the best I ever ate,” he said.

 I have made many more pies over the years. One of the nicest compliments my mother ever paid me was when she tasted one of my pies, laid down her fork, and said, “You make wonderful pie just like your grandmother.”

  

I couldn’t help but think of the many times I watched Grandma create pies, and I was both pleased and proud she’d shared her magic with me. 

(C)

For Readers Who Like Mystery Series

                                                       

Many authors write mystery series moving the protagonist from one adventure, or misadventure, to another. When we enjoy a book of this type, we often want to read more. The author has created a character that we like, one we perhaps can relate to, and one with whom we want to spend more time.

I first got hooked on the mystery series books when, at age 10, I started reading the Nancy Drew mysteries written by Carolyn Keene, the pen name of Mildred Wirt Benson. My husband read all the Hardy Boys mysteries written by Franklin W. Dixon when he was a child. We both continue to read mysteries to this day.

Two of my favorites are Charles Todd's Ian Rutledge series and Louise Penny's books that feature Inspector Armand Gamache of Montreal. Both have been extremely popular, although I think Louise Penny's books are the more commonly known. Still, if anyone reads a Charles Todd mystery, he/she is likely to go back for more. 

Charles Todd is actually a mother/son writing team. Their character, Ian Rutledge, is a Scotland Yard Inspector in the early years after WWI. Rutledge fought in France and arrived home suffering from what we now know as PTSD. He had to shoot one of his soldiers while in France, and the man has never left his mind. Hamish goes with Rutledge on all his assignments, making both good and bad comments throughout an investigation. Sound weird? Well, it works. Even though the Inspector's job is in London, many of his cases take him to small villages in England. The reader follows the clues right along with him and tries to work out the mystery. A combination of Mystery and Historical Fiction. Charles Todd has another series about Bess Crawford, an English nurse in WWI. Also well done.

Louise Penny takes her readers on many an adventure with Armand Gamache and the many regular characters that appear in the books. Among them are Jean-Guy Beauvoir, his assistant detective, his wife Reine-Marie, and several memorable characters in the small village of Three Pines who appear in many of the books. The village itself is a character. Louise Penny has mastered the art of storytelling and keeping her readers interest as a mystery evolves. Her readers can hardly wait for the next book in the series.

There are a great many other mystery series that are from way back and ones that are current. To name only a few:  Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple. They are all from series written in the 1800s and early 1900s. Another well-known author of contemporary mysteries is Daniel Silva who writes about Israeli spy-art restorer, Gabriel Allon. Fascinating and suspenseful. 

When you read a mystery series, do you have to begin with Book 1 and move on with each book in succession? It's probably helpful but not fully necessary. The authors generally put enough background story to allow a reader of Book 12 to know what has happened to the protagonist in the earlier books. It's not always possible to read the books in perfect order. One thing I find is that, when there is a reference to an earlier book or experience the main character has had, it makes me want to go back and read the earlier books. 

We come to know the character well. His/her habits, fears, loves, friends, and more. He/she becomes almost a friend after we have read several books in a series. We fear for them. We cheer for them. We care about them. The author has a difficult job in keeping us interested in the character and devising new mysteries to be solved. I greatly admire them.

Will all mystery series appeal to all readers? No. If you read one book in a series and it leaves you ok but not wanting to pursue any others, that's alright. Authors who write these kinds of books are ones who write character-driven stories. Not all people appeal to us and neither will all characters in one of these mystery series. 

Do you have a particular favorite mystery series? Share in the comments section if you would like to recommend a series to other readers. 

 

      

Time trap: 5 Ways Writers Can Use Time Wisely

 

Writers are urged to write often, to write voraciously, to write, write, write. Even so, to win the prize-- publication — there are myriad things you must do besides putting words on your computer screen.

Non-writing tasks such as reading about writing techniques or joining critique groups are beneficial, even essential. But if you're not careful, those non-writing tasks become traps. You can get caught in a  spider web of good intentions that eat into writing time.

The key is to maintain a healthy balance. Review your writing-related activities occasionally to make sure you aren’t falling into a time trap. When you produce fewer and fewer pages, it may be time to step back to assess why.

Here are five common writing-related activities and how to get the most out of them without letting them cut into your writing time:

1. Books on writing.  Writers buy or borrow dozens of books on the keys to good writing. But reading too much and you risk becoming so busy learning that you forget to apply what you learn. Use books to teach yourself the craft of writing, but be selective.

2. Writing websites and newsletters.  Writing websites, blogs and newsletters offer articles and classes. They also showcase markets, present contests, offer writing prompts, and exercises. Many writers subscribe to several, sometimes many more than several. Though these resources offer excellent information, they take precious time to read. Pick the ones you like best and unsubscribe from the others.

3. Critique groups.  A face-to-face critique group is a great place to get constructive criticism and praise for your work. It also provides an opportunity to network with other writers. While writers can profit greatly from them, critique groups also take time. Ask yourself if belonging to one is worth the hours you might otherwise spend writing and if it works into your writing schedule. 

4. Research. For many writers, research and reporting is a necessary part of what they do, and for some, it's pure joy. But don't get so involved in the process that you spend far more time than is needed. Practice determining the appropriate amount of time to give to the research end of a story or article.

5. Writers' organizations.  Joining a local, state or national writers group such as the Online News Association or American Society of Journalists and Authors offers networking possibilities with other writers and can connect you with new-to-you markets and publishers. Being a member also is a way to keep up with the latest trends in your field. However, along with all that, some of the organizations require members to become officers, committee chairs, and or serve on committees. Before you join, know what you're getting yourself into. Keep your membership to a select number of groups and limit your participation in what you can handle.

Financial experts advise clients to take money out of their paycheck for savings before spending it on anything else. Writing is no different. Those 1,000 words a day take precedence over all other writing-related aspects of your life. Now that you know what the traps are, practice self-discipline to avoid them. Your greatest benefit will be more time to write.

Eliminate Unnecessary Words in Writing

 

I've talked about 'unnecessary' words that we use all too regularly when we write. Words like really, very, usually, definitely, and ...The list goes on and on. 

A good rule to eliminate these useless words is: If a sentence makes sense without the word, there is no reason to use it. A lot of sentences with then or that work well without either one. Note the difference in these two sentences:

 A.  She ran from the big dog, then she screamed, and then she fell on the sidewalk. 

B.  She ran from the big do, screamed, and fell on the sidewalk. 

A.  She is the best singer that I've ever heard.

B.  She's the best singer I've ever heard

The elimination of that and then does no damage to the sentence at all, Without then or that, the sentence reads better. 

The chart in today's poster makes it clear that you do not need to use the word very as a modifier because there are many other words that work better. 

Adding the word down or up in a sentence is not always needed. Look at the following sentences:

A.  She sat down on the pretty pink chair.

B.  She sat on the pretty pink chair. 

A.  He stood up and walked out of the house. 

B.  He stood and walked out of the house. 

In both sentences above, you can eliminate up or down with no damage to the sentence. 

Don't worry a great deal over these words when you write the first draft. When you proofread and edit is the time to eliminate as many unnecessary words as possible. What I've shown here is not anywhere near a full list. 

Do a search using 'unnecessary words in writing' as your keywords. Read two or three articles that cover this subject in more detail. The more you read about them, the more aware you will be when writing and proofreading your work. 

Thoughts On A Hemingway Quote

 Ernest Hemingway left the world with many wonderful stories, and he bequeathed his expertise to writers with many quotes. The one we have today shows his thoughts on how to tell a story. He said, "My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way." 

A bit vague but good advice, nevertheless. Was he telling us to be observant so we can 'see' stories as we move through life? Was he suggesting we pay close attention to our emotions? And what IS the best and simplest way? 

Let's look at the last part of the quote. The best and simplest way for Hemingway might not be the same for us as it was for him. Once again, it needs to be stated that we are all individuals. No two writers work in exactly the same way. If they did, a formula could be devised and passed out at every writers' convention in the world. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had something like that to follow as we write our stories, essays, articles, and poems? We could cross off Step 1, Step 2, and right on down to the last Step. That would happen in a perfect world.

Instead, you and I have to come up with a formula that works for us. What about all the advice that people who write books on writing and bloggers like me give about the writing process? Should you ignore it all and ride your own wave forevermore? I don't think so.

Writers will benefit from doing a combination of using the advice of successful writers along with working in a way that feels comfortable to them. I've read about writers who write the ending of the story first. Huh? For me, that would never work. When I was writing my middle-grade novel, I had no idea how the story would end until I got there. There are writers who write the first draft and set it aside for weeks or months before editing and revising. Others wait only days, while some writers plunge into revising and editing immediately. (You all know I don't advise that!) 

When Hemingway says 'the best and simplest way.' does he mean to use short sentences with subject and object and no phrases or clauses or descriptive words? I'm sure he does not want us to write that way. When we read a quote from a well-known writer, we need to sift and sort what was said, not take each thought literally. 

So, what are we aiming for when we write a story, essay, article, or poem? 

1. Clarity
2. Creating interest
3. Entertaining or sharing knowledge
4. Imagery
5. Bringing emotion to the reader
6. More active than passive
7. Showing more than telling
8. Descriptive
9. Filled with sensory details
10. In fiction--telling a good story
11. Grammatically correct
12. Something publishable

Consider trying to write with these dozen points in the best and simplest way for you, the writer. What that is for you is not going to be the same as it is for me or the many other writers we know. 

More Than a Number

 

   

On this Veteran’s Day, let us think about all who have served in our nation’s military and those who do so today, along with the many who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. 

The men and women in our armed forces are not numbers in a newspaper article. Each one that deploys leaves behind parents, sisters and brothers, spouses and children, as well as myriad friends. They are not numbers; they are people. They laugh, they cry, they love, they endure hardships, they work hard. They are human beings with all the emotions you and I experience. They sweat, they like to eat three times a day or more, they enjoy fellowship with others, they pray, they shake with fear more often than we’ll ever know. They are warm, living beings—not numbers in a newspaper account. 

How often do we read that another brigade has deployed? Numbers? No, not numbers, that brigade is made up of people who smile, cry, tell jokes, treasure the photos they carry of loved ones. They have headaches and stomachaches like you and me. They get slivers in their fingers and bruises on arms and legs. They’re no less vulnerable to physical ailments than you or I, but they face dangers we have never dreamed of. 

I live near an army post, so I see uniformed soldiers everywhere I go. They stop at the grocery store on their way home from work just like teachers and attorneys and librarians do. They pick up their children at soccer fields as a civilian mom or dad does. We are all very much alike, except for one thing. These soldiers, male and female, have volunteered to serve, to protect our country at home and in foreign lands, to perhaps put their life in danger while doing so. 

Have you ever thanked a soldier or marine or sailor? Maybe you’d feel uncomfortable walking up to a total stranger and saying, “Thanks for all you do for me and the rest of America every day.” What a great gift it would be if you could say that or something like it to a member of the armed forces. Think about it the next time you see an American in uniform. 

Several years ago, my husband and I were returning from a European trip. We were tired and anxious to get through customs when we landed in the USA. As we approached the passport checkpoint, a door opened and an entire unit of uniformed soldiers filed through. They were returning from Iraq, an even longer flight than we’d had. We stopped and watched these fatigued young men and women as they walked by us. Some nodded and smiled, others stared straight ahead. Some I could barely see for the tears that had filled my eyes. I wanted so badly to say Welcome Home to them, but the lump in my throat didn’t allow it. The pride that encompassed me at that moment cannot be described. I was every soldier’s mother for just an instant. 

And what about the ones who didn’t return to walk through that airport door? The ones who came home in a body bag or a wooden coffin. My pride in them is every bit as strong along with a deep and abiding gratitude in what they gave for the rest of us. They sacrificed so that we can keep living in a free country. Yes, we Americans have many disagreements, but, even so, we are blessed in numerous ways. The military cemeteries where the headstones are lined up are a reminder of those who gave their lives so that you and I can enjoy the life we have today. 

Don’t wait for Veterans Day or Memorial Day, take time to say thank you to a military person. Say it in person or say it in your heart, but please say it. 

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Thoughts on Writing Groups

 

November Day

One of the things writers are urged to do is to join a writing critique group. It's beneficial to spend time with other writers and to discuss various parts of the writing life with people who are going through some of the same situations you are. Another reason to join a critique group is to have other eyes on your work. We are so wrapped up in our own writing that we often overlook crucial bits and pieces when we edit. Someone else will see much more. Perhaps because they are not emotionally involved like the writer is. We also benefit from hearing praise from others who read our work. We want to know what to fix, but we also like to be aware of what parts particularly appealed to readers in the group.

What kinds of writing groups are there, and what should you look for before joining one? Two big questions.

Kinds of Writing Groups:  In face to face groups, people meet together in person at a designated place. It might be a book shop, a library, a coffee shop, or in someone's home. These groups meet on a regular basis, either weekly, monthly or something in-between. They can be very social as well as focusing on writing. Usually, one person is the leader, or moderator. 

Many format a list of simple rules while others will have fairly rigid restrictions.  Some groups put a time limit on reading your work aloud. Others will let you be the judge of how much time to read your work to the group. Some groups ask that each writer send their selection ahead of time to the members so they have a chance to think about your writing. Others ask that you have copies to hand out at the meeting, while still others require neither--a listening process only. 

Another choice is an online critique group. These groups are usually ongoing, not meeting together at a specified time. Each writer submits work to be critiqued. Then anyone in the group can offer a critique. Usually, there is a requirement that you cannot only submit your work but you must offer critiques, as well. Some groups have a set number of each, while others leave it to your discretion. If you join an online writing group, there are bound to be some rules. Go over them carefully before you make the commitment to join. Make sure you think you can fulfill the requirements. 

One benefit of an online group is that you have the comments and suggestions, often within the text, to refer to as you revise and continue editing. Another is that you have a wide range of people in the group, often from all parts of the country, or even the world. People in groups like this often help one another in suggesting a market for a story or essay or poem. 

Some online writing groups are open to anyone. There are no admission requirements. Others ask for a writing sample and a short resume of your writing life. Sometimes, the moderator votes yes or no, and in some groups, the entire group reads the application and then votes. And yes, majority wins. If you have to apply to join, don't shy away. Do it with the thought that if they say yes, the group thinks you're ready for that level. If they say no, it's not a nasty dig at you. It just means this was not the group for you

There are writing groups for beginners, intermediate writers, and advanced. It would be helpful to determine which type of group the one you're looking at is and if you feel you qualify for whatever level it might be. 

What to look for in a writing group:  If you find a writing group and join, there is no assurance that you are going to love it. You might have to try a few to find one where you feel comfortable, and that includes both in-person groups and online. 

If you join a group that gives you nothing but praise, start looking for another group. You join a critique group to grow as a writer, to learn the places where you need to improve. Certainly, the praise is appreciated, but you need more than that. It's your job to join a writing group with the attitude that you are there to become a better writer and want to learn how to do that. 

You want some structure in the group. A short list of rules and what is expected is helpful for all. Some groups will ask that you do two critiques for every submission you make. Some will ask that you submit at least two pieces of writing per month, or one, or three. They're all different. A good moderator will make writers adhere to the rules, but they'll also take life problems that keep a writer from fulfilling the commitment into consideration. 

You'll want to look for a group that fits the kind of writing you do. There are groups of all sci-fi writers, some that are for romance writers, and others for mystery writers. Still others are a mixed group of many genres. 

If it's an in-person group, keep distance in mind. If you find one an hour away, the weather might be a hindrance. Can you afford the two-hour drive to and from? 

Keep in mind that you might not love every person in the group or that the moderator might not adhere to the rules very well, losing control over time allowed, and more. If it happens, and it bothers you a great deal, then it's time to look for a new group. You can also start a new group yourself. Don't laugh. It's not as difficult as you think. 

Do an annual assessment. Ask yourself what you are getting from the group and also what you are contributing. Being in a writing group of any kind is definitely a give and take situation. You must be willing to do both. 

Finding a Writing Group:  Ask another writer for suggestions. Check at your local library. I found an in-person group that way. Ask on social media. Use a search engine to find online groups. Check with any local or state writing organizations. 

My online writing group has helped me polish many a piece of writing which has gone on to be published. I take every one of their comments and suggestions seriously. I know that they are not being critical. Instead, they are helping me learn and grow as a writer, and I try to do the same for each of the members in the group. 

 

Writers--A is for Attitude

 

Ever hear that old adage "Sometimes you are your own worst enemy>" I think there's a lot of truth in those words. Today's quote advises us to not place limits on what we think we can accomplish.

If you think you can get from Line A to B, then you'll most likely find a way to do so. But then you look at the next lap and tell yourself that it's going to be a lot harder to go from Line B to C. Big leap you think. Maybe I'm not ready. Maybe I'll meet a few too many obstacles along the way. Keep telling yourself things like that and you probably will not make it from B to C. 

Instead, consider that there might very well be obstacles going from B to C, but you can meet each one and get beyond it. And that's how you should handle those bumps in the road--one at a time. Looking at all of them is frustrating and frightening. Take one at a time, and you can move ahead quite nicely. 

It all comes down to attitude. If you tell yourself you're going to fail, it's highly likely that you will. Do an attitude adjustment and say you'll move from Line A to B and from B to C, and you probably will do so. 

Who do you think is going to have more success in a writing journey? Negative Nellie or Positive Pete? 

I heard a woman the other day talking about her late husband. He won many contests and prizes. When people asked how he could be so lucky, he told them that he always went into the drawing or lottery or whatever it was with the attitude of "I'm going to win this." And more times than not, he did. Maybe  we should submit our writing to an editor with the thought "I'm going to get an acceptance." Not "This will probably come right back with a big, fat NO." 

I firmly believe that having a positive attitude will help writers achieve success a good deal of the time. It's not a given that we can maintain that kind of attitude 100% of the time. We need to remind ourselves to do so now and then. 

Don't Give Up On Writing

 

The writing life is one of ups and downs. Not occasionally but almost always. For every joy, there is a sorrow. Sometimes writers feel like they are riding a fast rollercoaster, climbing high, then dipping down, only to climb up again. 

Our quote today tells us to never give up. I agree, but I would add one word 'never give up easily.' When we're in the valleys instead of on the mountain tops, it's much easier to give up than to make that tough climb again. 

What do you need to keep trying, to keep writing, when you receive one rejection after another or when a story or a book just isn't working out like you'd hoped? You need to do what the first part of the quote says...Go over, under, around, or through...  In other words, you must try different approaches. 

Most of us are creatures of habit. Once we settle into a routine, we tend to stay there. If things are not working to our satisfaction on our writing journey, we need to try a new way. Do that...Go over, under, around, or through instead of staying with what we've always done.

Trying new ways can be a bit scary at first, but you'll never know if it was worthwhile unless you do try. What's the worst thing that can happen? It doesn't work out like you'd hoped, so you go back to the old way, or find another path to take. 

If you have the passion to write, feel driven to write, and love the craft, don't ever give up. My first boss had a saying that drove all the salesgirls nuts as he repeated it so often. He said, "Success comes in cans, not can'ts." That was back in the late '50s, and I have thought of that saying many times since. I'm sure it was not original with him, but he passed along some good advice. 

Go over, under, around, or through, but never give up.

A Photo Prompt Writing Exercise

I thought this was a great photo to use for a Photo Prompt Exercise.  Write a slice of life vignette or a full story using the picture and all it entails as your starting point.

When doing an exercise like this, it's important to spend some time studying the photo. Don't merely look at it and start writing. Check the different parts to the picture. Make a list, or even a mental list. 

What I see:

• two people on a bench
• one appears to be a man, the other a woman
• the bench is made of wood
• the bench is on what appears to be a dirt path
• it must be chilly, or even cold since they are wearing coats
• the people both are wearing boots but in different styles
• the season seems to be late fall or winter
• there are houses in the distance
• the trees are bare
• there are some bare looking plants in front of them
• the woman is wearing a scarf and hat
• the man is either wearing a scarf or has his coat collar up
• lack of color

Do you see something else that I did not?

After you have made your list start thinking about their conversation. Is it amiable? Bitter? Coarse? Troubling? Frightening? Or something else? 

Many stories that can end up as submissions can come from an exercise like this. It may be worth your time and effort to do the exercise. Have fun dreaming up a story for these two people.

 

Visiting Verb Tenses

 

(CORRECTION AND APOLOGY. THIS POST IS ACTUALLY ABOUT SUBJECT AND VERB AGREEMENT. THE POSTER THREW ME!)

I've noticed that many times on Facebook posters that individuals put up, the verb tense does not match that of the subject in the sentence. I've also come across the same problem when critiquing the writing of others who are writers hoping for publication, although not as often. 

The rule is quite simple but obviously not always easy to follow:

A singular subject uses a singular verb. 

A plural subject uses a plural verb. 

I noted a post this morning that said ...when the ballots is counted. Plural subject, singular verb. Or another one--...when the umbrella are opened. It's also wrong as 'umbrella' is a singular subject and the sentence uses a plural verb. Some people consistently interchange them. 

A trickier problem is when the subject is followed by a clause that also has a noun in it. It is correct to say: One of my friends lives in England. In this sentence, one is the subject. It isn't friends. Thus, you should use a singular verb. 

When two nouns refer to the same thing or person, the verb used is singular. An example:  The writer and the singer is performing at the banquet. In this sentence, the writer and singer are the same person, so a singular verb is used. 

When you use a noun like 'mittens,' use a plural verb. But, if you begin with 'a pair of mittens,' the verb should be singular. It's not referring to the mittens but a pair, as being one unit. Sentences like this can be very confusing. 

I am grateful for my grade school teachers, especially in junior high, who made us fill out paper after paper with correct grammar and word usage. Every class meeting spent the early minutes on choosing the best word, correct verb, and including things like when you use 'good' and when you use 'well.' 

In high school, we learned to diagram sentences which I don't believe is common today. I enjoyed doing the diagramming exercise, and I learned a great deal by taking sentences apart and determining what was the subject and verb, what words modified those words, and more. Diagramming sentences is merely using 'logic in language,' and it allows you to actually visualize the several parts of a sentence. 

Some people have a 'who cares?' attitude about proper grammar. They say there are more important things in the world. Maybe so. If, however, you hope to be a published writer, you had better pay close attention to subject and verb agreement and other parts of grammar. Learning the correct way is not what one would consider 'fun,' but it is very helpful in attaining your goal of publication.

A Story Is Born

 

Today's quote says "I'm always writing a story in my head." Are you nodding your head in agreement? Writers are either writing a story quietly in their minds or seeing one as they move through each day's chores and experiences. 

Years ago, I saw a story in the making. I noticed an old man and a pre-teen boy walking past our house, sometimes twice a day. The older of the two appeared to be somewhat handicapped as he walked very slowly, dragging one foot up to meet the other. A possible stroke victim. Was the boy helping his grandfather get some needed exercise therapy? I wondered day after day. I thought about the two a great deal. What a wonderful person that boy was and how fortunate the old man had him. 

Of course, what could I do but write a story based on what I saw? That story, "Where's My Gramps?" is published in the December issue of Cadet Quest, a magazine for boys 9-14. I received my author copy yesterday. It's a satisfying feeling to see the words you wrote in print in a publication. 

It was not a matter of merely observing the man and boy in my neighborhood, writing the story, submitting, and receiving an acceptance. If only things worked that quickly in our writing world! Instead, I thought about the situation for a long time, wrote parts of the story in my head. Then, much later, I actually wrote the story. Submitted to two or three places with no luck. I liked my story and wanted to keep trying. I did a small revision and tried again. And again. And finally,  Cadet Quest bought it. I believed in that story so I kept trying. The theme for the magazine for the December issue happened to be Grandparents, so my story fit perfectly. 

I knew I had to create a problem in the story, so I made the boy apprehensive about his beloved grandfather becoming a man he did not know, one he could not communicate with any longer. The story progresses as Josh finally learns that Gramps is the same man inside as he always was, even if the outside was a bit different. 

When you see something that might be a good base for a story, think about it, write pieces of it in your head, then sit down and write the story. If you believe in your story, submit it and keep submitting until you find a home for it. It might happen quickly, but that's not likely. If it takes a long time, keep working toward publication. Believe in your story and believe in yourself as a writer. 

When you're commuting to work on a bus or train or walking down the aisle of a grocery store, no one around you will realize you're busy writing a story in your head. But you'll know and hopefully, you'll keep working to make it a story that gets written, submitted, and published. From a simple observation, my story was born. Yours can be, too.

Call for Stories By Younger Writers

 

Here we are in a new month again. They slip by awfully fast, but perhaps that is a good thing so we are closer to a vaccine for the covid-19 virus. 

I checked the Chicken Soup for the Soul website recently and found a call for stories and poems for two books that are a little different than most. One is stories about pre-teens, and the other will be about teenagers. They want stories from writers aged 35 and under. That lets out a whole lot of us, but it also speaks to another group of writers or those who would like to write. 

Go to https://www.chickensoup.com/ and then scroll down to the bottom of the page where you will find a column on the right headed Submit Your Story. Click on that to reach a page with Possible Book Topics. Scroll down to the Pre-teen and Teen books. Read what the editors are looking for and then go to the Guidelines page (click on it at the top of the Possible Book Topics page). Read and study the guidelines before writing and submitting your story. 

It's a wonderful opportunity for young writers. Even if their story is not selected for one of the two books, they will benefit from the experience of writing a story and following guidelines, then going through the submission process. 

Maybe teachers can make an assignment for students to write a possible story for one of these two books. Again, it's a good experience to write to a theme. The deadline to submit is December 15, 2020. 

There is a list of suggested topics for stories for these books. 

While you're there, check out the other books still needing stories. You'll find topics like Angels, Eldercare, Counting Your Blessings, Cats, Christmas Stories, and Tough Times.

You might have a son or daughter, or a grandchild who could send a story or poem for the Preteen and Teenagers books. 

TIP:  I have seen very few poems in the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. My guess is that they would welcome receiving some narrative poems that tell a full story. Like the stories, they should have a beginning, middle, and ending. 

(NOTE:  I am posting this on Sunday, a day earlier than usual. The next post will be on Tuesday.