FINDING YOUR FRESH START
Now that it’s nearing the close of
2018, you’re probably wondering how to give your writing a fresh start or a
jump start. Do it -- you certainly deserve another chance and most importantly,
don’t forget, so do your characters!
Perhaps your character(s) dwindled
away as a result of a tired plot, missing conflict, or over-zealous
sidekicks. If so, it’s time to breathe
life into these poor souls.
Choose the most favored of your
nearly-departed characters and give them a fresh plot. You can begin by writing
a picture book draft of up to 700 words, with your character doing any one or
more of the following:
1.
Wanting
to make a friend.
2.
Losing
or gaining a beloved object.
3.
Wanting
to win a prize.
4.
Gaining
or losing a magical power.
5.
Moving
to a new home or school or country or galaxy.
6.
Becoming
or not wanting to be a ______________________.
7.
Losing
or getting a parent, sibling or friend.
8.
Learning
to share.
9.
Becoming
someone else for the day.
10.
Learning
to say “I’m sorry.”
11.
Organizing
something challenging.
12.
Doing
something you would least expect him/her to do.
13.
Wanting
a pet.
14.
Doing
a job or chore.
15.
Learning
to get along with others.
Whatever you chose, challenge your character’s staying power and
remain true to
his/her/its
personality. You will find out things about
your character that you hadn’t considered or known—and that may be all your
character needs for a fresh start and a happy new year!
BONUS *WORD WEAVING* CHALLENGE:
Write a picture book story using as many words from this list as possible. Give yourself bonus points for using all of them. If this practice becomes a project, feel free to discard any words that don't serve your story. They will have done their job by inspiring something new!
DEAR
BEACH
FLIES
HORN
SOCKS
HONESTY
PICKLES
SUGAR
TASTE
FRECKLES
Word weaving exercise inspired by words from DEAR SANTASAURUS, written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by Jef Kaminsky, Boyds Mills Press, 2019 and BEING FRANK, written by Donna Earnhardt and illustrated by Andrea Castellani (Flashlight Press, 2012). Please check out these books!
*.*.*.*.*
PLEASE feel free to follow this blog so you don't miss any tidbit of information and please feel free to leave any comment or question you may have. I will do my bes to answer all!
Lynne Marie is the author of Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten - illustrated by Anne Kennedy (Scholastic, 2011), Hedgehog's 100th Day of School – illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Scholastic, January 2017), The Star of the Christmas Play -- illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Beaming Books, 2018), Moldilocks and the 3 Scares -- illustrated by David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Sterling, pending) and Let's Eat! Mealtimes Around the World -- illustrated by Parwinder Singh (Beaming Books, 2019). You can learn more about her at www.LiterallyLynneMarie.com
Hi Marie,
ReplyDeleteI'm starting late to the challenge but just spent 2 days going through all 6 challenge days. Thanks so much for your creative refreshers.
Always glad to have you here, @Pam Jones-Nill, late or on-time, it's all good! Thanks for stopping by. Just keep writing, just keep writing!
DeleteGreat ideas to follow. Thanks, Lynne Marie.
ReplyDeleteThanks @Martiza M. Mejia. So glad to have you following and creating :)
Delete