Posts tagged ‘kid writing’
We’re Moving!
{photo: 123rentahome.com}
WriteLikeCRAZY is packing up and moving to a new home!
Because my goal is to focus on writing and teaching fiction, I decided to merge my two blogs into one powerhouse of information and inspiration!
What will change:
- WriteLikeCRAZY blog will still be here so you can find archived prompts, tips and links like before
- Writers Inspired will be home to how-to tips on the craft of writing and submitting your fiction work, for both young adult and adult writers
- Writers Inspired will occasionally host published authors through interviews or guest posts on the writing, organizing and publishing processes, plus awesome Book Giveaways!!
- Writers Inspired will also offer games, exercises and prompts for young adult writers (and their teachers!!) to use
- Writers Inspired will be like an online writers group where you can read and share helpful topics, like: unique ways to find ideas, dealing with procrastination, the latest in writing contests and new markets, tools and resources for fiction writers, tips on tracking submissions and all aspects of the fiction writing craft.
- Writers Inspired will have one page for young writers with links, prompts and advice PLUS one page for teachers with lesson plan ideas, games to energize the class and notes on what I’ve learned as a Creative Writing Teacher
- Writers Inspired will also have a list of events for young writers and teachers in the DuPage County (IL) area
What you need to do:
- Go to Writers Inspired
- Click “Follow”
- Be surprised by the updates you get in your email inbox or Google Reader every time a new post appears
- Leave lots of comments! This new blog is for you – the readers-and I want to provide content that you’re interested in reading: )
- Send your friends and teachers!
So, thank you to my current and future followers! Now, let’s get on the ROAD!!!
5 Prompt Friday
Here we go again…
- Jimmy yelped when the person in the photo winked up at him.
- The sound of someone rummaging through the garbage can outside
- Milwaukee was the next exit.
- Sitting in the first car of a new roller coaster.
- Rachel picked at the scab on her knee trying not to hear her parents screaming in the next room.
Share with us! (your own writing prompts or snippets of what you wrote!)
Add to your NaNo novel!
Add these items to a scene in your novel:
An empty tissue box, a dog leash, a hot cup of apple cider
NaNo prompt
Your character wakes up in a dark , damp cellar, filled with broken cell phones!
Inspiration from other Young Writers
Are you a young writer who wishes to be published? Maybe even win a writing contest?
So many young writers don’t think there’s a place for them. But that’s not true. Do your research! Opportunites are out there!
Check out this young writer and read her inspiring interview. This could be YOU!
What inspires you to write and submit your work?
5 Prompt Friday
No excuses! Now get writing!
Play the 5 W’s game: on 5 post it notes (or torn slips of paper) write at least 3 of each:
Who: (can be as basic as “girl” or as detailed as “5th grade teacher – male”)
What: write out 3 different scenarios unrelated to your “whos” like: Running in a 5 k; tasting sushi for first time; just lost best friend
When: this could be a time of day, month, year or historical period
Why: this would be based on the struggle or villain or an emotion: because she was selfish; to get revenge; always the underdog; greatest fear is public speaking
Where: could be a basement, outerspace, a closet, on hiking trail – use your imagination: create a place!
Now, toss all these W’s in a bowl, hat, bag, what have you – and select as many or as little as needed to get an idea flowing. Try it – and report back here! That’s an order, soldiers!
WaCkY WeDnEsDaY
Are you ready to be Wacky?
Write about a time when you were caught doing something gross or embarrassing (picking your nose)
Imagine if your character had a “mocking” disease: he is sitting in class taking notes on a lecture and begins, beyond his control, to mock and sneer at the teacher. What would cause this disease? What consequences would your character face?
Create a story where kids are considered model citizens if they can train a chicken to walk on a leash.
Can you come up with Wacky Writing Ideas? Share them here!
Guest Post: Author, Adam Dustus (win his book!)
Adam Dustus
Today, Adam Dustus guest blogs on WriteLikeCRAZY and is offering his new novel, High School Asylum, to one lucky random winner! Please read the rules at the end of this post for your chance to win!
Since expectations influence outcomes, I ask you to recognize that when writing a piece of any length, the artist needs to do more than brainstorm and develop plots (especially when attempting anything considered socially conscious and relevant). Just as creativity influences narration and outline, your artistic intentions elevate the level of your work through writing down in goal form what you aim to accomplish literally. In taking this important step, the writer automatically begins a journey to fulfill self-generated, noble intentions.
Set out to clearly define your reasons for writing your piece. Sure it is okay to wing it, vent, and have fun with your writing. However, do not be afraid to “DREAM BIG” by first defining what you set out to do. Have no limits in your brainstorm. To illustrate this idea, take my first novel High School Asylum. The following had been my goals for this novel:
Goals for the creation of High School Asylum:
- Expose the alienation that many young “loners” experience in high school, as well as the social sickness that is alienation (draw from personal experience)
- Realistically create a fictional public high school.
- Design this book to be a beginning for dialogue for the field of education (From “The Ivory Tower” of higher ed. to inside a high school English classroom.
- Expose the violence of suburban New Jersey
- Express my moral conviction against war
Final thoughts… Everyone’s artistic vision will be different. As it is for most art in many genres and forms (both traditional and digital), the beauty of writing is that artists adapt to methods and make them their own. Writing is the most personally engaging and intimate artistic form. Great writing transforms the reader and author in ways that no other art form is able. Dare to create and make it great. Now, begin your masterpiece!
_______________________________________________________________________
Adam Dustus is a blogger, novelist, poet, graphic artist, and podcaster. His most notable literary work to date is High School Asylum, which depicts the overwhelming emotions of feeling alienated from life and high school culture. Adam is currently putting the finishing touches on his second novel, Sounds From A House.
Visit The Dustus Blog @ http://dustus.wordpress.com.
Adam’s novels and poetry can be ordered through Amazon.com.
Any one can leave a question or comment for Adam today, but only young writers can enter to win a copy of his novel!
ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF HIGH SCHOOL ASYLUM:
(RULES)
You must be 25-years-old or YOUNGER to post for entry to the giveaway
You must have a U.S. shipping address
You must post at least ONE Writing Goal you have for yourself (Bonus entry if you share your plan to achieve that goal!) The more goals you have the more entries you earn!
Be specific, like “I’d like to publish a fantasty novel before I’m 30″ or “I want to learn how to write better dialogue.”
Posts must be made by 12 mindnight Central Time, Sept 25, 2009
Good luck!
Come back tomorrow to see if you’ve won ; )
Mary Jo’s Note: All comments are subject to my approval. Since this is a blog for young writers, I WILL NOT post any comments that are lewd, vulgar or harmful in any way.
The Authors are coming…the authors are coming!
OK, I’ve been feeling a little guilty about something and need to come clean.
Ready?
I’ve been cheating on you.
Well, it’s not what it seems. Really.
Hear me out.
My other blog, Writers Inspired, was created first, about a year ago. I created that blog as a means to communicate with fellow writers who took a Christina Katz on-line course with me. This was were we’d keep each other on track with our goals and post upcoming contests and editors or markets to stay away from.
Then, you were born. Well, not you, but WriteLikeCRAZY. I began this blog as a way for my own writing students to keep in touch, share their work and gain writing prompts, tips and links to contests. Plus, some silly stuff along the way.
I feel guilty that I’ve been reeling in authors, interviews and book giveaways for Writers Inspired, yet leaving my young readers high and dry. Say it ain’t so, Mary Jo. *sigh* It’s so.
So… how about I invite authors of young adult and teen novels to guest post and giveaway books here?! Yeah? You like that idea, right?
But, I need your help:
First, tell me some of your favorite NEW authors and their book titles.
Then, tell me what you’d like to know from these authors: how many hours a week they write; how many drafts until they feel confident that their manuscript is complete; do they drink pots of coffee and stay up all night to get their ideas on paper; how did they first get published – even ask them to describe their desk or work area.
I’ll start bringing in the authors – you start giving me some questions for them. Deal? Deal! Good, now I don’t feel dirty.
: )
Are you ready to NaNo?
What’s NaNo? No, not the next dance craze you’ll see on Dancing with the Stars or the up-and-coming sound you’ll hear on Glee!
NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writers Month and runs from November 1-30 every year. Thousands share in this crazy experience of writing a complete novel – start to finish in only 30 days. How? Lots of caffeine, support and of course a good story idea!
No, better than that, a solid outline of your plot, developed characters and plenty of descriptive scenery to beef up your word count.
The rules? Pretty simple, really. Sign up on line – it’s free, though they do appreciate donations to keep their massive server running, their volunteers pumped with caffeinated beverages and I’m guessing they have a heck of an electric bill. Browse around the site, get to know others in the chat rooms and forums. Then, TELL EVERYONE you know that you will be writing a novel in November. Will it become published? Maybe, someday. But the goal of NaNoWriMo is to say you’re going to do this and follow through. The catch: No revising! That’s right chickadees, no cross-outs, spell check, or rewriting one scene until it melts from your page like butter. If you did this, you would not complete a first draft in only 30 days. December is for Revising!
So, are you with me? Find me and “friend me” so we can keep each other motivated and see how our word count grows! My handle is: “mjcwriter”
More on NaNo as we get closer to November…
