  Short Stories
This week: The Basics -- with Kids' Stories Edited by: THANKful Sonali LOVES DAD  
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Stuck for a plot?
Wondering how to take character development forward?
Creating a setting proving to be tough?
Take a look at some kids' stories for inspiration! |
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Hallo!
The elements of a story include plot, character and setting. Each author and each piece of writing shows various weightages for each of these elements, and sometimes, authors consider themselves 'strong' at one aspect and 'weak' at others. Sometimes, in different pieces of writing, different aspects seem to flow.
What may help, when blocked with any of these aspects, is to go back to the basics. Imagine yourself teaching it to a child (yes, being a teacher helps with writing, too!  )
When I ask my students to create a plot, I sometimes give them the story "Because A Bug Went Ka-choo!" by Dr. Seuss (writing under the name Rosetta Stone) and Michael Frith, as an example.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfxf_iwS4Nc&noredirect=1
I tell the students to use the 'because-that's-why' sequence to create their own plot, sometimes supplemented by otherwise disconnected pictures which they have to put in their own creative sequence according to the plot. It works well, they make interesting connections, and it helps unblock the thinking!
For character, I turn to the Mr. Men books by Roger Hargreaves.
http://mrmen.com/
Each character represents a trait or emotion, and is depicted by a colour and a shape. I ask students to think of themselves or their characters as a basic colour and a basic shape -- and why. Having to choose one colour and one shape often helps to clarify the motivations and emotions of the character in a succinct way.
The other great book for 'character' is 'Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus', by Mo Willems. The single minded motivation of the character, the conflict and the circular plot are brilliant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWEekO4ufwM
For setting, one could use 'Click Clack Moo! Cows that Type'.by Doreen Cronin. Illustrated by Betsy Lewin
http://www.amazon.com/Click-Clack-Moo-Cows-That/dp/1442433701
It has to be on a farm, for all those demands to be important, and for it to include various animals and their characteristics. But the farm setting is used creatively, with elements from other settings, to move the plot forward.
So the next time you have writers' block -- go back to your childhood favourites, and see what they have to say! It might just get the creative juices flowing!
Thanks for listening
Sonali
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Winner of The Writer's Cramp contest September 23
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Thank you for the feedback on my previous newsletter! "Short Stories Newsletter (July 9, 2014)" 
Shaara 
Wow. Great concept. I didn't know that cameras, or at least, some cameras could do that. This is great sic/fi, the world through a different lens. Thanks for the input!
brom21 
I remember back in the day when there was a booth where you would get your picture taken and then turned into a sketch. I recall them being in malls. It has been a long time since regular PC’s had that ability. It’s kind of funny reversing the process by going from a picture of a structure or have you, and go to a final full colored draft to an outline. Computers keep getting more and more amazing! Thanks for this fascinating newsletter and the pictures!
Quick-Quill 
I remember as a kid hanging from a bar and looking at the world upside down. Things always looked different. Maybe that's why I became a writer. I look at things from all angles and wonder What if?
Joy 
Thanks for a great idea, Sonali.
Some photo-editing programs will also do what you do with your camera, but it had never occurred to me to use the "drawn" photos for inspiration. This is especially good when the photo is too crowded and you can't see its essence from the clashing of many colors as in your second example. I am certainly going to give this idea a try.
Shannon 
Love, LoVe, LOVE this newsletter, Sonali! And I love the "drawing Mode" option on your camera.  Great article.
blunderbuss
Thank you for the newsletter - a great tip! I have always enjoyed 'sepia' mode, but will play around with a few more now - just got to see if I have those facilities on my camera, too.
Lou-Here By His Grace
I very much like the concept of combining photography with writing! All too often 'professionals' attempt to belittle anyone who doesn't fit into their mode. Ignore them. Keep clicking and keep writing! - Lou
And thanks Elfin Dragon-finally published for this response to my Short Stories newsletter in June!
I know I'm late in responding to this particular newsletter but I've been "in the dark" as my computer goes, but my boss is being compassionate. Anyway, on the subject of meeting your favorite author I had the chance to meet, greet, and talk with several authors at a Comic-Con writing panel event. It was great! There were so many different authors who talked, let you talk and ask questions and gave insights on writing and time management of writing. There were even comic writers and artists giving their insight. My favorite author who was there was Peter Beagle. Did you know he's a Cub's fan? (Baseball) I was able to talk to a majority of these authors both in the panel and while they were signing books on the floor, even Peter Beagle was more than willing to talk between signing books when it was slow.
So, long story short. It's what I suggest. Go to an event like this, I believe many authors are more willing to talk to you about writing and about themselves. |
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Short Stories: October 01, 2014 Issue [#6578]
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