If you know me, you know how much I love animals...all animals. My own pets are a great source of inspiration for me. You can find my animals in lots of my stories. If you'd like to meet them in person (photos) scamper over to my new blog at:
http://jan-mader.blogspot.com/
Let's write about animals together! No symphony orchestra ever played music like a child laughing with a puppy. Do you have a child and puppy to write about?
Meanwhile, I'm still looking for springtime suggestions on my last post...any takers?
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Springtime Advice!
Spring gives me so many ideas for writing...easy writing. Lucky for my family, I don't believe in giving advice unless I'm asked for it, but today will be the exception because I'd like your advice in return. Your creative advice!
Here's my springtime advice for you:
If naked baby squirrels fall out of their nest, put them in a shoebox at the base of a tree. Their mother will painstakingly carry them back up the tree...one at a time. Repeat this action as often as necessary. I speak from experience. The end result will make you happy. You may decide that squirrels are stupid, but you'll be happy nonetheless (especially if you're an animal person).
Writers: What springtime advice can you share with us? Your advice can offer suggestions for happiness, relaxation, physical fitness, meditation, family gatherings, lawn mowing, barbecues, planting seeds, growing gardens. You name it. Anything goes!
Teachers and Parents: Do this same activity, but first offer your children some advice. Say something like, "Since it's spring, I think we should dance in a puddle!" You can either really dance in a puddle or laugh and say "Just kidding!" but that will get your kids thinking outside the usual springtime activity box.
Then get a posterboard. At the top of the poster, write: SPRINGTIME ADVICE by ______.
Ask your kids to help you think of more advice. Of course, your idea will head the list. The joy of spring and the love of language should topple onto your posterboard. Please share. I know the advice the kids give you will be brilliant!
Here's my springtime advice for you:
If naked baby squirrels fall out of their nest, put them in a shoebox at the base of a tree. Their mother will painstakingly carry them back up the tree...one at a time. Repeat this action as often as necessary. I speak from experience. The end result will make you happy. You may decide that squirrels are stupid, but you'll be happy nonetheless (especially if you're an animal person).
Writers: What springtime advice can you share with us? Your advice can offer suggestions for happiness, relaxation, physical fitness, meditation, family gatherings, lawn mowing, barbecues, planting seeds, growing gardens. You name it. Anything goes!
Teachers and Parents: Do this same activity, but first offer your children some advice. Say something like, "Since it's spring, I think we should dance in a puddle!" You can either really dance in a puddle or laugh and say "Just kidding!" but that will get your kids thinking outside the usual springtime activity box.
Then get a posterboard. At the top of the poster, write: SPRINGTIME ADVICE by ______.
Ask your kids to help you think of more advice. Of course, your idea will head the list. The joy of spring and the love of language should topple onto your posterboard. Please share. I know the advice the kids give you will be brilliant!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Kreativ Blogger Award.....for me!
Wow, my 2nd award and I'm speechless...well amost! Angie, gave me The Kreativ Blogger Award. Thank you so much, Angie, I'm honored.
The award comes with some instructions:
1. Post the award on your blog. Link to the person who gave you the award.
1. Post the award on your blog. Link to the person who gave you the award.
My sister-in-law did that for me...thank you Sandy!
2. List seven things you love:
God
family
friends...who are like family
my animals
writing
being able to rescue strays
meeting new people
3. List seven blogs you love and let those people know you’ve given them the award.
Okay! I know I went over. I could list twenty other blogs that should receive this award. I never knew such honest creativity existed until I started blogging.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Time to Share
I just can't keep it all to myself. Sit back. Relax. Enjoy a few of the comments that were left on the springtime activities last week. I'd be willing to bet that some of these playful responses will make you smile..just like me.
Barbara's Spot on the Blog said: said...
When I work on my novel I like to work outside the best. I sit listening to the birds sing and watch the ducks fly in for a little swim while the squirrels come to beg peanuts. There's always a story going on in the back yard, you just have to watch for it... and then write about it :)While gardening I saw an interesting large green bug. I picked it up to examine him closer. He stood for a little while and then he opened his wings, caught a breeze and flew off. Then he landed on a bush about 10 feet away. A sparrow sitting on a bird house saw him fly over and swooped down to gobble him up. I jumped up to scare the bird and it flew away. I walked over to investigate the bug and there he was on the ground, not moving. He was dead. I felt bad. If I didn't pick him up to admire him, he might still be alive wandering around in the wood chips of the garden. I'm sorry bug.
Sandy sure knows how to braindrop! Her ideas will make a great story - fact or fiction. Here's her list:
Barbara's Spot on the Blog said: said...
When I work on my novel I like to work outside the best. I sit listening to the birds sing and watch the ducks fly in for a little swim while the squirrels come to beg peanuts. There's always a story going on in the back yard, you just have to watch for it... and then write about it :)While gardening I saw an interesting large green bug. I picked it up to examine him closer. He stood for a little while and then he opened his wings, caught a breeze and flew off. Then he landed on a bush about 10 feet away. A sparrow sitting on a bird house saw him fly over and swooped down to gobble him up. I jumped up to scare the bird and it flew away. I walked over to investigate the bug and there he was on the ground, not moving. He was dead. I felt bad. If I didn't pick him up to admire him, he might still be alive wandering around in the wood chips of the garden. I'm sorry bug.
Sandy sure knows how to braindrop! Her ideas will make a great story - fact or fiction. Here's her list:
Fresh air tall grass buds flowers blooming trimming deck bare feet clean up weeds yard waste fertilizer weed killer neighbors fence row walking tulips daffodilsiris leaves sore muscles charcoal picnic I spent the day trimming the Rose of Sharon, and the Mallow. Pulled the sticks from the hostas, pulled some weeds, filled 2 lawn bags........barely made a dent.
Tatersmama said:
Spring looks like God is blessing us with his beauty.
Spring smells like green shoots and promises springing from fecund earth.
Spring tastes like mama's warm biscuits with lavender honey.
Spring sounds like the world is waking up after a good refreshing sleep.
Spring feels like a new dress - in just the right color.
Spring makes me want to dance naked amoungst the blossoms and dig my toes deep into the dirt.
Angie said:
Spring looks like green.
Spring smells like puddles.
Spring tastes like chocolate bunnies.
Spring sounds like chirps and squawks.
Spring feels like taking off that jacket.
Spring makes me want to skip school.
Finally, Rabin Nickens left this comment:
There are so many great things about this activity (I wonder if we - me or my students - will be able to keep ourselves from raising the pencil off the paper), but I especially appreciate its value for urban students, who often don't get exposed to or an appreciation for nature. The city (NYC) is so busy, noisy, and bustling, taking a moment to just be still in quiet is very necessary. I actually think all schools should make some time for activities like this every single school day for grades preK-12. Seriously.Also, it's poetry month! My drama students are created their own scripts and monologues to perform in a June finale, so this activity might be a timely and constructive way to get their minds cooking.Thanks, Jan!
Thank you, Rabin. High praise indeed. I can't wait to hear what your kids do with this activity!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Plain and Simple
Just fill in the blanks...plain and simple. Then SHARE!
Spring looks like _______.
Spring smells like _______.
Spring tastes like _______.
Spring sounds like _______.
Spring feels like _______.
Spring makes me want to _______.
At the end of the weekend, I'm going to share some of your creativity (from this exercise and LAST WEEK). Barbara...yours is first! Stay tuned......
Spring looks like _______.
Spring smells like _______.
Spring tastes like _______.
Spring sounds like _______.
Spring feels like _______.
Spring makes me want to _______.
At the end of the weekend, I'm going to share some of your creativity (from this exercise and LAST WEEK). Barbara...yours is first! Stay tuned......
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
P.S.
After you check out the writing activites, please head over to my new blog about animals...another passion.
Read my stories and share yours. I look at it this way. My freelance is down, so I'm going to create my own work. I might as well write about what I love! Could an anthology be in the works?
Jan
http://jan-mader.blogspot.com/
Read my stories and share yours. I look at it this way. My freelance is down, so I'm going to create my own work. I might as well write about what I love! Could an anthology be in the works?
Jan
http://jan-mader.blogspot.com/
Paint With Words...Spring Pictures!
By now, most of you have at least inhaled spring. Even if the weather hasn't been good enough for you to go outside, your mind has been working and your senses have been ignited...right?
Use your senses to paint a spring picture with blossoming words...words that shout like art from a springtime canvas.
Here's an example of what I mean. I could say: I love to smell sweet spring air. That paints a little picture, but not one that's worth remembering.
Now I'll use my words to paint on a canvas for you: Delicate spring air tickled the buds on the tulips as they poked through the soft damp ground. See what I mean? Can you smell the tulips in the air?
Writers: Chose one spring idea from your list (last activity). Write a short sentence from that idea...plain and simple. You will probably have a telling sentence, much like the first one in the example above.
Now close your eyes and use your senses as a catalyst to ignite your creativity. Rewrite your original sentence. This time paint a lovely spring picture with your words.
Teachers and Parents: Do the same activity as above, but talk it though first.
Ask your children to change the telling sentences below to ones that burst with the flavor of spring.
Here are your telling sentences:
I like spring.
It is warm outside today.
I can hear birds sing.
Don't forget to add your two cents worth! When you're involved, your kids will want to paint with words. After you're through talking, ask your kids to write a sentence using the same two step process in the example above.
As usual, please share!
Use your senses to paint a spring picture with blossoming words...words that shout like art from a springtime canvas.
Here's an example of what I mean. I could say: I love to smell sweet spring air. That paints a little picture, but not one that's worth remembering.
Now I'll use my words to paint on a canvas for you: Delicate spring air tickled the buds on the tulips as they poked through the soft damp ground. See what I mean? Can you smell the tulips in the air?
Writers: Chose one spring idea from your list (last activity). Write a short sentence from that idea...plain and simple. You will probably have a telling sentence, much like the first one in the example above.
Now close your eyes and use your senses as a catalyst to ignite your creativity. Rewrite your original sentence. This time paint a lovely spring picture with your words.
Teachers and Parents: Do the same activity as above, but talk it though first.
Ask your children to change the telling sentences below to ones that burst with the flavor of spring.
Here are your telling sentences:
I like spring.
It is warm outside today.
I can hear birds sing.
Don't forget to add your two cents worth! When you're involved, your kids will want to paint with words. After you're through talking, ask your kids to write a sentence using the same two step process in the example above.
As usual, please share!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Alert! Alert! Senses Overload!
I smell spring. It's coming through the open window in my office. There's no doubt about it...I smell freshly mowed grass, crocuses, and the first charcoal grill of the season. Yep...spring is here! Let's write about it.
Usually I say, "Write as fast as you can!" but that's how we'll end this writing exercise, not how we'll start it...okay?
Writers: Today (or the next weather permitting day this week) go outside. You can lounge in a chair or lay flat on your backs and look at the sky. Breathe the air. Taste the wind. Take of your shoes and feel new dirt and grass. Inspect...really inspect delecate buds. Pick up a bug. Watch an ant. Feel the bark of a tree. Listen to the flutter of bird wings.
Your senses should be on overload. Creative overload!
Go inside or stay outside. Write the word SPRING at the top of your paper. As fast as you can, without lifting your pencil for spaces, write every thought, word, or idea that falls out of your mind and makes you think of spring. This is braindropping at its finest! Time yourselves for one minute.
When you're ready, use your list and your imagination to write a paragraph, poem, or memory of a spring past or present.
Teachers and parents: Do the same activity. The only change is this: Take a piece of posterboard outside with you. Braindrop your list of spring sounds, sights, smells, and tastes (after you've had five minutes of silence). I know getting kids to be quiet and just soak in the gifts of the new season seems like it might be hard, but it's not. Why? Because first you're going to share your memories of spring when you were a child. Nothing gets a child engaged faster than letting them into your lives. It makes their writing relavant to what you both know.
PLEASE SHARE!
Usually I say, "Write as fast as you can!" but that's how we'll end this writing exercise, not how we'll start it...okay?
Writers: Today (or the next weather permitting day this week) go outside. You can lounge in a chair or lay flat on your backs and look at the sky. Breathe the air. Taste the wind. Take of your shoes and feel new dirt and grass. Inspect...really inspect delecate buds. Pick up a bug. Watch an ant. Feel the bark of a tree. Listen to the flutter of bird wings.
Your senses should be on overload. Creative overload!
Go inside or stay outside. Write the word SPRING at the top of your paper. As fast as you can, without lifting your pencil for spaces, write every thought, word, or idea that falls out of your mind and makes you think of spring. This is braindropping at its finest! Time yourselves for one minute.
When you're ready, use your list and your imagination to write a paragraph, poem, or memory of a spring past or present.
Teachers and parents: Do the same activity. The only change is this: Take a piece of posterboard outside with you. Braindrop your list of spring sounds, sights, smells, and tastes (after you've had five minutes of silence). I know getting kids to be quiet and just soak in the gifts of the new season seems like it might be hard, but it's not. Why? Because first you're going to share your memories of spring when you were a child. Nothing gets a child engaged faster than letting them into your lives. It makes their writing relavant to what you both know.
PLEASE SHARE!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Death - What is it to you?
My mother-in-law died on Monday. She had been in the hospital since February (after a complicated surgery that resulted from a twisted bowel and stomach). For most of her eighty years, she had been healthy. We're grateful for that.
Her death followed almost two months of horrible suffering, so we've all had a chance to witness her strength in sickness and readiness to move on to eternal life.
Since my blog is about writing exercises, today will be no different. Please tell me the first thought that comes to your mind when you think about death. I'm sure there will be comfort, strength, and creativity in your thoughts. That's why I love writing with you so much.
Jan
Her death followed almost two months of horrible suffering, so we've all had a chance to witness her strength in sickness and readiness to move on to eternal life.
Since my blog is about writing exercises, today will be no different. Please tell me the first thought that comes to your mind when you think about death. I'm sure there will be comfort, strength, and creativity in your thoughts. That's why I love writing with you so much.
Jan
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Idea Exchange!
Believe it or not, I use the same writing exercises with adults that I use with kids. Creativity is creativity and writing is just an extension of that. It doesn't make a difference whether I'm presenting at a writing conference for published or aspiring authors, doing author-in-school visits, or sharing my ideas at an teacher in-service...the same activities ignite sparks of creativity.
I think every now and then, weekends would be a good time to share. Sometimes it's easier to share in the form of an answer, so I'll ask questions.
1. Is there any special writing exercise that really makes you more creative?
2. Does paying attention to your five senses help you to write?
3. Do my activities help you?
4. Would you like to see different kinds of activities? If so, what kind?
5. Do you have an activity that you'd be willing to let me share here on my blog?
6? What did you write last week?
Feel free to answer any or all of my questions!
I think every now and then, weekends would be a good time to share. Sometimes it's easier to share in the form of an answer, so I'll ask questions.
1. Is there any special writing exercise that really makes you more creative?
2. Does paying attention to your five senses help you to write?
3. Do my activities help you?
4. Would you like to see different kinds of activities? If so, what kind?
5. Do you have an activity that you'd be willing to let me share here on my blog?
6? What did you write last week?
Feel free to answer any or all of my questions!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
I'm afraid of worms.
My son recently told me that I need to be afraid of something...seems he thinks nothing scares me. To comfort him, I said, "No worries, I'm afraid of worms." And that's the truth.
When I made that statement, I had absolutely no idea where the fear came from. My sister is here visiting me. I told her about the conversation with my son.
She began laughing hysterically. "I can tell you why you're afraid of worms." When she stopped laughing for another moment, she finished, "Because I use to throw them on you when we were kids."
It all came back to me as though it were yesterday. Spring rains. Spring puddles. My sister. Worms on the sidewalk...slimy, wiggly, plump, smelly worms flying though the air....onto me.
Logically there's nothing about worms to be afraid of, however, when one lands in your hair it changes your perspective on an otherwise harmless creature.
Writers: Make a quick list of five things that scare the bejeebers out of you. Then chose the fear that jumps out at you and paints a picture it in your mind.
Take that fear and describe it from the perspective of your mind's eye. Then tell how it effects you physically. Does it make your eyes pop open wide? Does it make your skin crawl? Does it make you want to hide? Paint a picture with your words to describe your fear and its effect.
Please share!
Teachers and Parents: Do this same activity. Share your fears first (keep them lighthearted). Then, allow your kids to talk about their fears. Remember, creative talking moves easily into creative writing. Start with what your kids say and let them know they truly have something to write.
We'd love to hear what your kids say. Please share!
When I made that statement, I had absolutely no idea where the fear came from. My sister is here visiting me. I told her about the conversation with my son.
She began laughing hysterically. "I can tell you why you're afraid of worms." When she stopped laughing for another moment, she finished, "Because I use to throw them on you when we were kids."
It all came back to me as though it were yesterday. Spring rains. Spring puddles. My sister. Worms on the sidewalk...slimy, wiggly, plump, smelly worms flying though the air....onto me.
Logically there's nothing about worms to be afraid of, however, when one lands in your hair it changes your perspective on an otherwise harmless creature.
Writers: Make a quick list of five things that scare the bejeebers out of you. Then chose the fear that jumps out at you and paints a picture it in your mind.
Take that fear and describe it from the perspective of your mind's eye. Then tell how it effects you physically. Does it make your eyes pop open wide? Does it make your skin crawl? Does it make you want to hide? Paint a picture with your words to describe your fear and its effect.
Please share!
Teachers and Parents: Do this same activity. Share your fears first (keep them lighthearted). Then, allow your kids to talk about their fears. Remember, creative talking moves easily into creative writing. Start with what your kids say and let them know they truly have something to write.
We'd love to hear what your kids say. Please share!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Stop a Conversation!
Have you ever really thought about the power of words? Could you stop a conversation at a dinner party? Think about it for a minute. What could you say that would make everyone stop and listen?
Since this is April, I could say, "I wish the Internal Revenue Service would stop calling my house!"
I guarantee you all ears would be turned towards me.
Writers: Can you think of one sentence that would make a group of people stop and listen? Think about it for a second...just a second! Please share your conversation stopping sentence! I'd be willing to bet that we'll get a few zingers!
Teachers and Parents: Have a hearty conversation with your kids about the power of words. Start out by announcing, "As of tomorrow, there will be no more math taught in this room."
I guarantee you that your kids will sit up and pay attention. You'll begin to get questions at a fast and furious pace. Word play should never end, but sooner or later you'll need to tell the truth and get to the real reason for your announcement. Then quickly switch gears.
Invite your kids join in on the fun. Ask them to write or say one sentence that would make everyone in the class stop and listen. Encourage your kids to revel in the power of words. Wallow with them in the joy of language. Please share some of the sentences your kids come up with. My guess is that they will be quite creative.
Since this is April, I could say, "I wish the Internal Revenue Service would stop calling my house!"
I guarantee you all ears would be turned towards me.
Writers: Can you think of one sentence that would make a group of people stop and listen? Think about it for a second...just a second! Please share your conversation stopping sentence! I'd be willing to bet that we'll get a few zingers!
Teachers and Parents: Have a hearty conversation with your kids about the power of words. Start out by announcing, "As of tomorrow, there will be no more math taught in this room."
I guarantee you that your kids will sit up and pay attention. You'll begin to get questions at a fast and furious pace. Word play should never end, but sooner or later you'll need to tell the truth and get to the real reason for your announcement. Then quickly switch gears.
Invite your kids join in on the fun. Ask them to write or say one sentence that would make everyone in the class stop and listen. Encourage your kids to revel in the power of words. Wallow with them in the joy of language. Please share some of the sentences your kids come up with. My guess is that they will be quite creative.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Did you Notice?
Did you notice my exciting new banner/header? Creativity comes in all forms and Kelly takes the cake...or maybe I should say fireworks! My blog looks like it's indeed ready to ignite thanks to Kelly's innovative artistic touch. You can visit Kelly at Convention Fans. She's amazing. Thank you Kelly!
Speaking of amazing, I had the pleasure to read Tom and Tess Hannah's book, The Endless String this past week. You never know what you are getting into when someone asks you to read a book of individual poems for children. My friend, a children's librarian, actually began to read the poems to me. The more she read, the more excited I got...The Endless String is filled with delightful humorous poems. The poems takes on life's simple problems and remind us that things like missing socks are not disasters.
Sometimes I felt like I was reading poems written by Shel Silverstein. Other times I felt like I was reading a book by Jack Pretlusky. It's worth going to amazon.com, borders.com, or barnesandnoble.com to pick up a copy of Tom and Tess's book. I promise you'll laugh out loud while you're reading to your kids!
If you haven't had time to check out the writing exercises this week, please take a peek. They're fun and easy. I would love for more of you to share your ideas about Thursday's activity (define courage). It's always interesting to get insight from creative people!. Have a great weekend!
Speaking of amazing, I had the pleasure to read Tom and Tess Hannah's book, The Endless String this past week. You never know what you are getting into when someone asks you to read a book of individual poems for children. My friend, a children's librarian, actually began to read the poems to me. The more she read, the more excited I got...The Endless String is filled with delightful humorous poems. The poems takes on life's simple problems and remind us that things like missing socks are not disasters.
Sometimes I felt like I was reading poems written by Shel Silverstein. Other times I felt like I was reading a book by Jack Pretlusky. It's worth going to amazon.com, borders.com, or barnesandnoble.com to pick up a copy of Tom and Tess's book. I promise you'll laugh out loud while you're reading to your kids!
If you haven't had time to check out the writing exercises this week, please take a peek. They're fun and easy. I would love for more of you to share your ideas about Thursday's activity (define courage). It's always interesting to get insight from creative people!. Have a great weekend!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Just to get you thinking...
Take a minute to think about the most courageous person you know. Braindrop what you think it is that makes that person courageous. In case you haven't braindropped with us before, write the name of the courageous person that you are thinking of at the top of your paper.
Then, without stopping to lift your pencil between words, write every thought, word, or phrase that falls out of your mind that reminds you of your courageous person (write as fast as you can possibly write). Time yourself for two minutes, then stop. You should have a list full of ideas about courage.
Now, define courage. That's it. Let's see how our thoughts are alike and how they are different. Please share.
Then, without stopping to lift your pencil between words, write every thought, word, or phrase that falls out of your mind that reminds you of your courageous person (write as fast as you can possibly write). Time yourself for two minutes, then stop. You should have a list full of ideas about courage.
Now, define courage. That's it. Let's see how our thoughts are alike and how they are different. Please share.
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