Hello, readers.
Some of us like to write children’s stories so I have attached a picture prompt that may give you some ideas on what type of story you would like to read.
What age category would the story be for? Would it be suited to both genders? What genre would your story fall under?
Write a flash fiction or a short children’s story that would make your reader experience the picture shown above.
Enjoy and have fun creating.
Jennifer Andrew, Freelance Writer and Book Reviewer
I think novelists can learn a lot from screenwriters because they have a lot in common with their writing. Screen writers have to write as if every moment is in some way an action. Each dialogue,each scene has to be important to the story and it can’t drag on or you will lose the interest of the viewers.
In the same way, a novel works like the scenes in a movie. Too much lag and you start to lose your reader and the longer the lag lasts, you may lose your reader’s interest for good. Scott Atkinson, contributor for Inkwell in Writer’s Digest, wrote a column called “5 Things Novelists Can Learn From Screenwriters” and I thought I should share it with you since I learned from it.
YOUR NOVEL IS PROBABLY TOO LONG.
I know it’s hard to stick to word length when submitting your manuscript, however, if you’re just filling the pages to make the entry submission, then it’s not good enough. Make sure your words count in the story and make sure you keep your reader interested.
A STORY CAN BE BUILT IN SCENES
You don’t have to start at the beginning, especially when you thought of a concept and you want to work with it, without being distracted. You can start writing your novel at any point of the story and piece it together until it fits into place.
TENSION MUST DRIVE EVERY SCENE
If your scene does not propel the story, then you’re going to lose the momentum and then eventually your readers. Your characters have to come alive, be animated and give them a live of their own. Give them the drive to achieve something or work towards a goal so every scene is compelling.
PLOT AND CHARACTER ARE NOT ENEMIES
Plot is just as important as character. The more interesting your characters can be, the more your readers will be drawn to them. However, you need to put them into a plot so they have something to do. With the everyday routine we find ourselves in, we want to be put into an exciting and sometimes dangerous situation where we don’t get our hands dirty but someone else does. Give your readers something to talk about.
YOU MUST BRING DIALOGUE TO LIFE
With screenwriting, the characters have to have vibrant dialogue. Have you ever gone to see a movie and come back from it quoting some of the lines? I have. It excites you, it makes you remember the characters even more. That’s what you want from your novel. Intelligent, funny, interesting lines that people are going to remember.
In many ways, novelists and screenwriters are the same. They both work to make a great story but take it from different angles. If you use some of their techniques, you can create a brilliant piece of work.
Jenn Andrew
Freelance Writer and Book Reviewer
She slowly peered round the corner, keeping her hand clenched on the side of the door, in case she needed to shut it quickly. It was dark and hard to see, but she could hear it. Something was down there. The fact that it was in the house, sent shivers down her spine.
Finish the next few sentences to show, not tell, the reader what is going to happen next.
See what your mind creates. Send me a feedback if you want to share what you created OR you can post on your personal website or blog with a link to my prompt.
Jenn Andrew
Freelance Writer and Book Reviewer
I went to the Anime North convention in Toronto, Ontario on the weekend, from May 24 to May 26, and I saw this character.
Write a short short story about it or the convention.
Jenn Andrew, Writer & Book Reviewer
Princess Onyx: Precious Gems
Author: Clarissa Burton
ISBN: 9781479224890
Book Reviewer: Jennifer Andrew
Princess Onyx is a children’s book that is about an African-American girl named Jaydah who comes from school very upset because a boy in her school made fun of the color of her skin. Her grandmother eases her mind by telling her a story that reflects the situation her grand-daughter experienced. The story is about a princess who is sheltered by her royal parents from playing with the other kids in the courtyard. When the parents finally give the princess permission to play with the other kids, the princess is surprised to find out that the kids are mean to another child of the same color as her own skin. Surprised and upset by the kids behavior, she refuses to play with the children and decides instead to bring the rejected girl back to the palace with her to play. The grandmother was trying to tell Jaydah that although some people may be mean, there is no reason to be mean to them back because how you treat people is what’s important. Sometimes children learn the wrong lessons from parents, peers and other people around them and the best thing is to treat people the way you would like to be treated yourself. People can learn to do the right thing, from your own good behavior.
The cover entices people to want to buy the book as it is a pretty pastel color and the format is typical of a children’s book. With its 35 pages, large and colorful illustrations, easy to read and understandable wording, Princess Onyx is an entertaining story with an important message.
I believe the story depicts two messages. One message is family unity and you can see that by the way the grandmother comforts her granddaughter as soon as she sees her upset. The second message the story is depicting is the issue of racism and how to deal with it on a child-like manner. Children’s feelings can be hurt and scarred for life but by providing understanding by a parent or adult figure, the children can be made to feel confident with self-respect. Many books for children have messages that should be learned but not many deal with this type of issue, which is still present in our society. Youth who had to grow up in adversity didn’t have books such as Princess Onyx on the book shelves because it was a taboo so it is very refreshing to live in a time where all genres and subjects can be displayed.
The book is for school-age children and it is a good depiction of some issues that face them at school. Being put down by just the color of your skin makes children feel like they don’t belong or feel as if they aren’t the same as the other children. Books like Princess Onxy are not afraid to deal with these issues and bring them to light. I believe that this book is not just for African-American children but for children of all walks of life, because the message is important for everyone to learn. Parents will enjoy reading it to their kids at bedtime and family time. At the back of the book, there is a list of more books by the author so you get an opportunity to enjoy more of her work.
Learn To Tie a Tie with the Rabbit and the Fox
by Sybrina Durant
ISBN: 9780972937238
Book Reviewer: Jennifer Andrew
Learn to Tie a Tie with the Rabbit and the Fox is a fictional, children’s book that is easy to read and understand. It is a good, entertaining story with big words and bright, vibrant colours. Cute characters help to make the story enjoyable for the child and for the parent reading it. There are a few pages that you can read as a short story or for you to read again and again. Kids will not get bored because of their short attention spans and, with the bright illustrations and interactive feel to it, the story is engaging for both children and parents.
After a few pages into the story, it starts to introduce the instruction on how to tie a tie. As the story is going on in the background, the instruction is going on in the foreground. There is a picture of a young school-age boy, with a clean white pristine shirt and a black tie, just ready and waiting for what to do next. The illustration and the direction is easily understood in both written and visual formats.
The story has a lesson to learn and you can also make it into an activity. For such a short story, it also has a sub plot that tells children not to stray too far from the safety of your home or neighbourhood.
This is a book that offers a fun story on how a school boy can learn how to tie a tie. The funny thing is that some males to this day, still have trouble tying a tie so I think it’s a good book for parents too.
This book is for school-age children and it is very accessible since it is available in so many formats. The author has made this book available in English, Spanish and Tagalog. Sybrina Durant also has this book available in e-book format and through the android phone children’s book app. If you enjoy reading a book to your children the old fashion way, you can savour the feel of it in your hands. If you love the use of technology, you can use your electronic device to enjoy the story with your children. Either way, both methods allow you to spend time with your kids at bedtime or playtime.
The last page of the book has song lyrics for “Tie A Tie With The Rabbit And The Fox” so parents can sing along. Therefore, not only does the author produce a children’s story, but she also engages them with song and learning something that will last a lifetime.
While playing a Play station game with my nieces, I realized that gaming isn’t far off from writing.
Apart from the intricate graphics, a storyline and/or storyboard needs to be created to make the game interesting. Games like Assassin’s Creed and God of War have reasons why the main character is focused in accomplishing his goal. It takes logic and the ability to face your opponents to win the game.
RPG games, I think, are the most challenging games besides the hack and slash games like Mortal Kombat.
Games that put your mind to the test as well as your fighting ability makes the storyline worth following.
If you have the opportunity to play a video game or watch a sibling or a friend play one, you’ll be surprised at how close to writing it is.
