Pages

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Story School #1

Hello and welcome! Welcome to the first Story School of 2014!

What is Story School, you ask--let me tell you.  Every Wednesday this summer, I'll post a story starter of sorts.  It might be an idea or a prompt.  It might be just a single word.  Who knows!  Story School started as a way for me to continue to connect with the students from my school (about writing) over the summer. But really, Story School is for everyone, young or old.  Writing exercises often get my writing juices flowing so I thought it would be good to share some of the stuff that works for me!

But first, some NEWS!!




http://www.publishersweekly.com/images/data/LINK_SET_LINK/graphic/000/012/12276-1.JPGWesley Adams at Farrar, Straus & Giroux has bought Secrets of Selkie Bay, a middle-grade magical realism novel by Shelley Moore Thomas. When Cordie's little sister claims their missing mother has turned into a selkie, Cordie has only herself to blame, since she's the one who made up that lie in the first place. But in order to discover the truth of what happened to their mother, Cordie must take a treacherous journey to the hidden Selkie Isle. Publication is set for spring 2015; Joanna Volpe of New Leaf Literary & Media did the deal for world English rights.
(from Publisher's Weekly)





So....Yay!!! A new book next Spring!!

Soon, I'll share what made me write Secrets of Selkie Bay in the first place.  But today, let's just look at one word from the title to get our imaginations geared up.  

Secrets

What a great word, huh?  A story with a secret is a story that I want to read!  Maybe it is a secret regarding a character's identity--is the princess really a dragon in disguise?  Or maybe it takes place in a secret land--a land where dinosaurs rule from atop thrones of broken televisions.  Sometimes a character has to keep a secret--maybe YOU have had to keep a secret and it was HARD.  Did you let it slip?  Did you feel it burning inside of you, bursting against your heart, trying to get out?

So, today your assignment in Story School is simply to use the word secret (or secrets) in your writing.  You only have to use it once, but it has to be there.  Oh, and your writing doesn't have to be  a story you know.  Sometimes, I write poetry.  Sometimes, I write non-fiction reflections about things in my life.  It doesn't matter, as long as you are writing!!

So, on your marks.....get set......

Oh wait.  I forgot to tell you.  When you finish your writing, if you want to share it with me, you can send it to storyqueen@gmail.com and I'll write back to you. If you have a question, you can email me or put it in the comments.  

Looking forward to sharing Story School with you!

so......GO!!

hrh

6 comments:

Nancy Villalobos said...

Not surprised but thrilled for your news about Secrets of Selkie Boy and I guess I like the title, sort of.

Unknown said...

Hi Mrs. Thomas this is Hannah and Abigail. We miss you so so much. We are doing story school. Maybe we will email you soon. We love you xoxo

Myrna Foster said...

Love the comment from your students! Your new venture sounds like fun. :o)

And I know I've already said it but . . . YAY!!!

Auerbach5 said...

Hi, this is Chloe Auerbach. How has your summer been going? I hope it has been fun! I am going to do your story school this summer and I am looking forward to it!

Auerbach5 said...

Hi,This is Corinna Auerbach. How has your summer been going? I'm doing your story school and I'm really exited to do it.

storyqueen said...

Wow! So great to see all of you in the comment section! I hope your SECRET stories (or poems) are coming along nicely. Just wait until you see what I've got cooked up for Story School next week! mwahahaha.

(That would be evil laughter.)

hrh