Three Tips From Melissa Stoller Plus Prizes!
I was very lucky to learn more about Melissa Stoller when I took the Children’s Book Academy’s “The Craft and Business of Illustrating Picture Books”. Melissa was one of the assistants in the course and she helped me out so much! I am so excited about her books and hope to read Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush soon!
Check out Melissa’s website to find out more: www.MelissaStoller.com
Thanks for inviting me to be a guest blogger for this writing challenge, Dani!
Today, I’m offering some writing magic motivation for this month and into the future. Here are three tips to help bring some spellbinding creativity into your writing world:
1) CHASE IDEAS
Find captivating ideas wherever you are: in your neighborhood, at the library, from your family, in photos you take, from your pet, through the news, and in nature. Eavesdrop on conversations. And remember to take notes! Ideas are everywhere – find ways to chase and embrace them.
2) READ EVERY DAY
Go to the bookstore or library and choose five books to read in a variety of genres. Then choose five more. The more you read the more you will be inspired with fascinating ideas and charming language and imagery.
3) START WRITING
When you feel ready, or even if you don’t quite yet, just write.
Here are a few prompts to get you started:
a. Visual prompt: choose an illustration, photo, or video and write a story surrounding that image.
b. Emotion prompt: think about a time when you were happy, sad, surprised, disappointed, or angry. Write a scene featuring that emotion.
c. Note cards prompt: write down ten types of characters, ten objects, and ten situations (such as a ghost, a magic wand, and getting lost). Pick one card from each pile and write a story using those words.
I hope these tips help you bring the magic each time you write. And as I write, when I personalize my chapter books, “May all your adventures be enchanting.”
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MELISSA’S BIO:
Melissa Stoller is the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection – Book One: Return to Coney Island and Book Two: The Liberty Bell Train Ride (Clear Fork Publishing, 2017 and 2019); and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush and Ready, Set, GOrilla! (Clear Fork, 2018). Upcoming releases include Return of the Magic Paintbrush and Sadie’s Shabbat Stories (Clear Fork, 2019). She is also the co-author of The Parent-Child Book Club: Connecting With Your Kids Through Reading (HorizonLine Publishing, 2009). Melissa is an Assistant and Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Regional Ambassador for The Chapter Book Challenge, a Moderator for The Debut Picture Book Study Group, and a volunteer with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators/MetroNY. In other chapters of her life, she has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer and editor, and early childhood educator. Melissa lives in New York City with her husband, three daughters, and one magical puppy.
Follow Melissa:
Webpage: www.MelissaStoller.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/melissastoller
PRIZE @%@%@%@%@%
3 winners will win one of these books in the picture by Melissa Stoller!
The books are:
The Enchanted Snow Globe
The Magic Paintbrush
and Ready, Set, Gorilla!
Please comment below if you want to win one of these prizes! The winner will be chosen from the list of people below.
5 Comments
Laura
Love the prompts!
Debra Daugherty
Thanks, Melissa, for sharing, and congratulations on your new book!
Laura Hartman
Thanks for the great tips as well as the chance to win one of your awesome books!
Lauri Meyers
Thank you for the prompts!
Becky Aren’t
Thank you Melissa…
I am trying to write everyday and I really liked the prompts! I am just beginning to understand the importance of reading and how it goes hand in hand with writing…much thanks!