#amwritingkidlit challenge -september torideleon...favorite sentence prompt: make a list of your...

1 #amwritingkidlit Challenge -SEPTEMBER torideleon.com


#amwritingkidlit 30 Writing Exercises

For Children’s Writers

September’s Workbook

How to Use This Workbook

The writing exercises in this workbook are designed to help Children’s Writers to generate ideas.

To use them, simply print the whole workbook and have fun doing some or all of the suggested exercises. Every

exercise is divided in two sections: a Prompt with information and Brainstorming suggestions and exercises. Every

exercise has a template you can use to organize your thoughts. Use a notebook or binder to do your Brainstorming

exercises and refer to them often to help you expand or create new stories.

I apologize in advance for any grammar mistake. I tried my best to edit it. English is my second language and I’m

hoping that as I continue to improve my grammar on a daily basis, I can also improve the quality of these

workbooks.

If these #kidlitprompts work for you, please, spread the love. This is a time consuming labor and I do it with a

generous heart to help others. And last but not least, thanks for believing in me and giving me an opportunity to

share with you my creative process, which will hopefully help you with yours!

For more questions, feedbacks, or reviews, do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected]

You can also find me in

Twitter: @DeLeonTori1 (personal account) @deleonpaints (art account) @amwritingkidlit (The Art of Storytelling Mini-Blog with Writing/Illustration Tips and Writing Challenges) Facebook: deleontori1 Pinterest: torideleon1 And at my website: torideleon.com

Happy Writing!

DeLeon


Day 1 Using Picture Book Illustrations Picture Books’ illustrations make terrific story idea generators! PROMPT:

Grab a bunch of picture books at your local library.

Without reading the text, look randomly at different books and different illustrations.

If an illustration speaks to you, jot down potential ideas.

Feel free to mix and match!

BRAINSTORM:

Characters Setting Problem Resolution

Day 2 The Theme

What is this story all about? A theme is the heart of the story. Sometimes you’ll be able to build a story and then find its main theme, but what about start writing a story based on a theme? PROMPT:

Write a list of themes you enjoy or are knowledgeable about.

Write an entry that will allow you to explore possibilities.

BRAINSTORM:

Themes I Like Who What Where How

Courage

Friendship

Perseverance

Safety

Day 3 Popular Children’s Tunes

A story that uses a popular song’s structure is fun to read because it is a familiar tune the child has memorized. PROMPT:

Write a favorite tune. Pick a theme and possible story plot. Make your own version keeping the

rhyme/rhythm, if any.

BRAINSTORM:

Tune

Characters, actions, or words I could replace

Theme and possible story plot

Day 4 Achievements

An achievement is a thing done successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill. PROMPT:

Think of an achievement (personal or someone else's) that could become an encouraging message for children.

BRAINSTORM:

What achievement?

Whose achievement?

Why is it empowering? (Give specific examples)

How does this achievement can help

children?


Day 5 Similes A simile is comparison of two things using the words “like” or “as.” PROMPT:

Create your own similes and see if you can expand any into a story or look for spots in your stories where you could use similes.

Don't forget to include vivid language that is, descriptive adjectives that bring your story to life for the readers.

“Charlie's ball soared pretty as a bird piercing the blue sky at dusk.” Charlie Takes His Shot, by Nancy Churnin. BRAINSTORM:

Object/Concept

List of Possible Comparisons (Name at least 10 options and give reasons for the comparisons)

Day 6 Who Inspires You? PROMPT:

Who do you find inspiring and why? Can you write a story that highlights his/her

qualities and deeds?

BRAINSTORM:

I feel inspired by:

What has he/she done for others?

What barriers has he/she broken?

How has he/she impacted people’s lives?

Day 7 Difficult Situations Unfortunately children are victims of terrible situations such as racism, domestic violence, bullying, peer pressure, etc. Adults who have gone through similar experiences can give children advice and hope. PROMPT:

Can you think of a personal hardship you were able to endure? Can you share the insight you gain and how you were able to overcome the situation?

What advice would you give a child, victim of a difficult situation? Be specific.

BRAINSTORM:

Hardship:

Points to discuss:

Advice and specific actions that can be taken:

Day 8 Personal Interests

Think of those things you've always wanted to know more about PROMPT:

Find out everything you can about a favorite subject.

Imagine talking to a child and sharing with him/her what you have learned.

BRAINSTORM:

Subject:

Preliminary questions. Things I’m most interested to know about.

Interesting facts and information

How can I organize this information into a child-friendly story? Is it fictional or nonfictional?


Day 9 Market Research The goal of market research is to learn market needs, while you continue to write about things that you like. PROMPT:

Study a publisher’s needs and recently published books. Brainstorm ideas for a story based on your market’s research and your own personal interests.

BRAINSTORM:

.PUBLISHER: Considering submissions for:

Published works (subjects I would enjoy writing about)

Things I could write about based on the current needs of this publisher:

Topic 1: Title 1: Summary:

Idea #1:


Idea #2:


Idea #3:

Day 10 The Inciting Incident The character’s inciting incident is the event that pushes him/her into the main action of the story. For example, in The Wizard of Oz, the event that pushes Dorothy into the main action happens when she is picked up by a tornado. PROMPT:

Start with a character and a setting. Then, create the event that catapults the character into the middle of your story. Every action of the main character must lead him/her towards the climax. Build tension through those

actions. BRAINSTORM:

Character + Setting

When, all of a sudden…

Actions towards the climax

Day 11 Give It A Twist All ideas are not original. What could be original is the way you present them. PROMPT:

Using one of your story ideas, perhaps one that is not working, rewrite the first two or three paragraphs by changing the POV, the setting, and the time period.

See if something works better than what you originally had and continue to rewrite the whole thing.

BRAINSTORM:

CHANGE POV

CHANGE SETTING

CHANGE TIME PERIOD


Day 12 The Opening Sentence

The Opening Sentence must contain the premises of the book and hook the reader. PROMPT:

Write the opening sentence of three favorite picture books.

Rewrite the sentence by replacing the main character, the conflict, the setting, and time, if any.

See if you can write a whole story from one of YOUR opening lines.

BRAINSTORM:

Title: My Version (Opening Sentence)

Title: My Version (Opening Sentence)

Day 13 Fill In The Blanks Somebody (main character) wants something, but, something is standing in his way (problem), so, he must take action to be able to get what he wants. This is the most popular story structure used by many authors. PROMPT:

Using the following chart, study at least five favorite picture books that use this structure.

Then, use the same chart to create your own story.

BRAINSTORM:

Somebody Wants, But, So, (failed attempts) Then…. (action that successfully resolves the problem)

Day 14 Leave Room for the Illustrations What does “leave room for the illustrations” mean? As a writer, your job is to focus on the action and dialogue. Let the illustrator handle the descriptions. PROMPT:

Grab a manuscript in which you have exceeded the maximum word count.

With the help of a highlighter, highlight all of the places where you describe something.

Rewrite the whole thing excluding the highlighted sentences or words.

BRAINSTORM:

Can anyone understand this story without having to read what I just remove from it?

Print a hard copy of the new version and paste it into a storyboard or dummy.

With the help of figure sticks draw what you think each page should look like. Don’t worry, nobody has to see it.

Day 15 Dialogue Only

The conversation voice would look more like a screenplay on your manuscript and each voice must ring true to the character and sound distinct from the rest. PROMPT:

First, you need a basic story idea. Next, do character studies to help you make

their voices different from each other. With plot and character studies in place,

develop the whole story in dialogue form.

BRAINSTORM:

Step 1: Story idea

Step 2: Character studies: Develop their personalities, flaws, strengths, and distinct voices

Step 3: Label each character. No narrative description. No he said or she said. Develop the whole story.


Day 16 Naughty Characters

Naughty characters are loved because we all have been a little naughty, sometimes. Children get in trouble all the time, and what is interesting is how they deal with it or the lesson they learn from their mischief. PROMPT:

Decide who will your naughty character is and why.

Give him options to see and deal with the consequences of his actions.

Is there something the character has learned?

BRAINSTORM:

Naughty character:

Mischief: (Write down as many possibilities you can think of. Recall your childhood memories)

How does he/she deal with the

consequences of his actions?

Is there any lesson he/she learned?

Day 17 Favorite Sentences We all have favorite sentences we wished we had written them. But, what about rewriting them? PROMPT:

Make a list of your favorite sentences in the left column.

Rewrite the sentence in the right column by changing adjectives, nouns, verbs, etc. Ex: "Let the wild rumpus start!" becomes, “Let the naughty lion loose!”

Now, can you make up a story?

BRAINSTORM:

Favorite Sentence My Version

Day 18 Animal Facts

Children love animals. They can’t get enough of them. Animal facts can be turned into interesting fictional and nonfictional stories. PROMPT:

Make a list of animals that interest you. Read articles and books about animals. Write facts about a creature of your choice:

- Physical description, fun facts, habitat, etc. See how you can use animal facts and turn

familiar routines, such as parenting, playing, behavior, etc. into a fun story for children.

BRAINSTORM:

Animal:

Habitat:

Physical description:

Interesting facts:

How can I turn this info into a story?

Day 19 Developmental Milestones

Developmental milestones are physical or behavioral signs of development of infants and children. PROMPT:

Check a list of developmental milestones children experience.

Write a list of the ones that interest you the most.

How can you adapt those behaviors into your stories or make stories about them?

BRAINSTORM:

List of milestones at age ______:

How do any of these milestones can help improve my story? Can I write a story based on any of these milestones?

Can you think of anecdotes of children you know that could help you find a focus for your story?


Day 20 Word Bank

Every time you see a word you like, write it down. In no time you’ll have a list of such words. PROMPT:

If you have a list of favorite words, sit down and play around with them. If you don’t, grab a dictionary and go through pages making a selection of several words.

Can you make up a story using one or several of those favorite words?

BRAINSTORM:

You’ll need a word list. Make one if you don’t have one already.

Play with some of the words on your list. How can you use your favorite words to give life to a story in your head?

Jot down as many options as they come to mind.

Day 21 Plotting Categories

Did you ever played Categories? Categories is a wording game in which players make lists of words based on several categories and letters from the alphabet. PROMPT:

For this exercise, your categories are story elements and you’ll write as many possibilities as you can think of.

Then, you’ll pick one item of each category and try to solve the problem of the main character with a list of many different options.

BRAINSTORM:

TYPE NAME SETTING PROBLEM

PROBLEM

(POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS)

Day 22 Books You Hate

Have you ever read a book that make you wonder why did it go ‘that way’ instead of ‘this way’? Why is this plot good but the character so flat? And so on… PROMPT:

No. You won’t rewrite someone else’s story. But, you can use your idea that WORKS to create a story you feel confident it will be loved.

Grab some of those books you don’t like and write why. Be specific.

Without using the same story arc, come up with one of your own by applying what you think could be a better story. Your story!

BRAINSTORM:

Book Title:

Reasons I don’t like this book:

For every reason, give one or multiple possibilities that could work better, in your opinion.

How can I separate my idea from this work to make it unique and original?

Day 23 Go For A Walk

You never know what you’ll find by going outside and paying attention. PROMPT:

Take a notebook and pencil and write what you see: an action, a mood, an interesting display, people’s interactions, someone unique, etc.

Do not be specific. Just record what you see Go back home and analyze the information. Add details. See if there is a story in there.

BRAINSTORM:

Go outside and record loosely what you see for at least 10-15 minutes.

Go back home and complete thoughts. Add details and important information.

Analyze the information and see if something sparks an idea for a story.


Day 24 Jokes

Q: Why did Humpty Dumpty have a great fall? A: To make up for his miserable summer. (Credit Southern Living) PROMPT:

Check out some children’s jokes. Imagine arriving to the moment when things

get the funniest. How will you explain it, and change it to make

it your own.

BRAINSTORM:

Joke:

Characters:

What happened before?

What happened after?

How can I make it my own?

Story plot:

Day 25 Poetry

Poems use language in a condensed form and they can be analyzed and used for your creative writing. PROMPT:

Read some poems. Jot down: what you find inspiring about the

poem’s analysis, connections to your own memories, ideas, words, or anything useful for your story.

Go back and analyze your information.

BRAINSTORM:

Look at the title, voice, subject, setting, words used, rhyme, and rhythm.

Identify repetition, poetic devices, imagery.

Think about the theme and the mood.

What is the message?

Write anything that interests you.

Review your notes and impressions on this poem. Is there some story you can tell that was inspired by the reading of the poem?

Day 26 Index Card Plotting

Index card plotting could help you with ideas that have been going on for quite some time in your brain, but which you don’t know how to develop successfully. PROMPT:

Start with an idea Depending on the kind of plot you want to use,

make labels in Colored Index Cards: Inciting Incident, Obstacle, Climax, etc.

Write ONE scene per card in White Index Cards Lay them out. Add, delete, or move them around until you are

satisfied with the results. Continue to work on the story for days, weeks,

or months as you see necessary. One day you’ll find the missing link!

Note: You can do this in your computer instead by using Scrivener. Scrivener uses boards that hold multiple index cards.

BRAINSTORM:

Inciting Incident

Problem Obstacles Climax


Day 27 Cumulative Structure

You can organize your plot using a cumulative structure. In a Cumulative Story, the story progresses through a pattern of repeating elements until it collapses in the end. PROMPT:

Read “The House that Jack Built,” or any cumulative story and copy or write it down on the left column.

Can you think of a situation or theme that can be written using the same structure?

Remember you are not copying anything; you are just organizing your plot in this type of structure.

This structure lends itself to humorous situations. Take advantage of it.

BRAINSTORM:

Before you start writing your story, pick a theme, subject, or event.

What elements will you repeat throughout

the story?

What new elements will you introduce to advance the plot?

How and why should my story collapse?

Cumulative Story My Cumulative Story

Day 28 Draw!

We all loved comics and made our own when we were young. It wasn’t hard to think up stories in pictures. PROMPT:

Using the chart on the brainstorming section as a reference, fill up the boxes. (See Templates Section)

You don’t need to be an artist. Just get the ideas down with figure sticks.

Write down as many details as you see necessary. Use post-it notes to add writing space.

With a story idea in place, you can write down your first draft.

BRAINSTORM:

1. CHARACTER 2. SETTING 3. PROBLEM

4. EXPOSITION 5. INCITING INCIDENT

6. TRIES AND FAILURES

7. CLIMAX 8. FALLING

ACTION 9. RESOLUTION

Day 29 Folktales A folktale is a story originating in popular culture, typically passed on by word of mouth. Different cultures have different folktales. PROMPT:

Choose a favorite folktale. You may either want to rewrite the story or use

its main plot elements to make it your own. Remember, you must condense a good rounded

up story into 500 words or less.

BRAINSTORM:

Title:

Path 1: Rewrite the folktale to update its use of language and word count.

Path 2: What are the main elements of this

plot? How can I use them to make my own story?


Day 30 Strong Emotions

Because probably many years have passed since you were a child, it is difficult to remember interesting stories you could share. This exercise will help you to remember them based on the emotions you felt. PROMPT:

Make a list of emotions. Write about times you have felt those

emotions. What happened? What was your reaction? What did you do to solve a problem (if there was any)?

Assess your brainstorming: Is it something you can write about? How does this relate to children and their feelings? Make connections.

BRAINSTORM:

EMOTION ANECDOTES CONNECTIONS

Anger Joy Sadness Fear Etc.


Day 1 Using Picture Book Illustrations CHARACTER SETTING PROBLEM RESOLUTION

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 2 The Theme

THEME WHO

MAIN CHARACTER SOLVING THE CONFLICT

WHAT THEME RELATED

CONFLICT

WHERE PLACE

AND TIME

HOW M.C. SOLVES IT TO

HIGHLIGHT THE THEME

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 3 Popular Children’s Tunes

CHILDREN’S TUNE THINGS I COULD REPLACE

MY VERSION


Day 4 Achievements

What achievement?

Whose achievement?

Why is it empowering? (Give specific examples)

How does this achievement help others? How does it relate to children?

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 5 Similes OBJECT/CONCEPT COMPARISONS WHY? (Explain why the comparison is “like” or “as” the object or concept)

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 6 Who Inspires You?

I feel inspired by:

What he/she has done for others

Barriers he/she has broken

Ways in which he/she has impacted people’s lives

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 7 Difficult Situations

Hardship:

Points to discuss

Advice and specific actions that can be taken

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 8 Personal Interests SUBJECT:

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS. THINGS I’M MOST INTERESTED TO KNOW ABOUT RESEARCH: INTERESTING FACTS AND INFORMATION (Be brief. You just need a general idea.)

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 9 Market Research PUBLISHER: Considering submissions for:

Published works (subjects I would enjoy writing about)

Things I could write about based on the current needs of this publisher:

Topic:

Title: Summary:

Topic:

Title: Summary:

Topic:

Title: Summary:

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 10 The Inciting Incident CHARACTER + SETTING

WHEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN…

ACTIONS TOWARDS THE CLIMAX

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 11 Give It A Twist CHANGE

POV CHANGE SETTING

CHANGE TIME PERIOD

WHAT WORKS, WHAT DOESN’T


Day 12 The Opening Sentence OPENING SENTENCE MY VERSION

OPENING SENTENCE MY VERSION

OPENING SENTENCE MY VERSION

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 13 Fill In The Blanks TITLE TITLE Somebody

Somebody

Wants,

Wants,

But,

But,

So,

So,

Then….

Then….

TITLE TITLE Somebody

Somebody

Wants,

Wants,

But,

But,

So,

So,

Then….

Then….

TITLE TITLE Somebody

Somebody

Wants,

Wants,

But,

But,

So,

So,

Then….

Then….


Day 14 Leave Room for the Illustrations – Storyboard #1 ENDPAPERS TITLE

3

4

5

6 7

8

9

10 11

12

13

14 15

16

17

18


Day 14 Leave Room for the Illustrations – Storyboard #2

PASTE STORYBOARD #1 HERE

19

20

21

22 23

24

25

26 27

28

29

30 31


Day 15 Dialogue Only STEP 1: STORY IDEA

STEP 2: CHARACTER STUDIES Name Physical appearance Personality Flaws Strengths

Name Physical appearance Personality Flaws Strengths

Name Physical appearance Personality Flaws Strengths

STEP 3: DIALOGUE


Day 16 Naughty Characters

Mischief’s possibilities

Naughty character:

Mischief:

How does he/she deal with the consequences of his actions?

Lesson learned

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 17 Favorite Sentences FAVORITE SENTENCE MY VERSION

FAVORITE SENTENCE MY VERSION

FAVORITE SENTENCE MY VERSION

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 18 Animal Facts ANIMAL DETAILS

Habitat

Physical description

Interesting facts

ANIMAL DETAILS

Habitat

Physical description

Interesting facts

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 19 Developmental Milestones AGE MILESTONES

Social

Cognitive

Physical

Language

ANECDOTES RELATED TO THESE MILESTONES

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 20 Word Bank WORDS I LIKE

WORD CONNECTIONS TO THINGS I KNOW, REMEMBER, OR IMAGINE

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 21 Plotting Categories TYPE NAME SETTING PROBLEM

TYPE NAME SETTING PROBLEM

SOLUTION (possibilities)

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 22 Books You Hate WHY IT DOESN’T WORK WHAT COULD WORK, INSTEAD

WHY IT DOESN’T WORK WHAT COULD WORK, INSTEAD

WHY IT DOESN’T WORK WHAT COULD WORK, INSTEAD

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 23 Go For A Walk WHAT WAS INTERESTING? CONNECTIONS TO THINGS I KNOW, REMEMBER, OR IMAGINE

WHAT WAS INTERESTING? CONNECTIONS TO THINGS I KNOW, REMEMBER, OR IMAGINE

WHAT WAS INTERESTING? CONNECTIONS TO THINGS I KNOW, REMEMBER, OR IMAGINE

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 24 Jokes JOKE CHARACTERS WHAT HAPPED BEFORE/AFTER

JOKE CHARACTERS WHAT HAPPED BEFORE/AFTER

JOKE CHARACTERS WHAT HAPPED BEFORE/AFTER

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 25 Poetry POEM ANALYSIS AND INSPIRATION

Things to look for: title, voice, subject, setting, words used, rhyme, rhythm, repetition, poetic devices, imagery, theme, mood, and message. Then, make connections to recollections, anecdotes, or anything that inspires you.

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 27 Cumulative Structure

Subject

Elements to repeat throughout the story

Introduce these elements to advance the plot

When, how, and why should the story collapse?

EXAMPLE OF CUMULATIVE STORY POSIBLE STORY IDEA


Day 28 Draw! TITLE

1. CHARACTER 2. SETTING 3. PROBLEM

4. EXPOSITION 5. INCITING INCIDENT 6. TRIES AND FAILURES

7. TRIES AND FAILURES 8. TRIES AND FAILURES 9. TRIES AND FAILURES

10. CLIMAX 11. FALLING ACTION 12. RESOLUTION


Day 29 Folktales – Path 1 Rewrite the folktale (update language, time period, word count, etc.)

Title:


Day 29 Folktales – Path 2 What elements could I use from this story to make my own?

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


Day 30 Strong Emotions EMOTION MEMORIES CONNECTIONS

EMOTION MEMORIES CONNECTIONS

EMOTION MEMORIES CONNECTIONS

POSIBLE STORY IDEAS


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