Who's Hidng in This or That Book, or Around This or That Author?

Some people believe that a person's favorite authors and books help to hint at, or clarify, who that person may be. Now, you who are writers for children or YAs, consider who are your favorite writers and what are your favorite book titles, and what your preferences may say about you. Next, think of a person you know. Ask that person about her or his favorite author or book title,and imagine what those choices say about that person. Alternately, suggest to yourself an author or title that you might connect with this person, then tell why you chose that author and title to help describe that person.

Save Which Books?

Have you seen the movie "The Day After Tomorrow"? If not, do so. Watch for the scenes in the New York Public Library. Before or after the movie, think about this dilemma that some of the characters had to face: a gigantic blizzard brought on by global warming is enveloping the city - and the rest of the northern half of the earth. To stay alive a scientist's son tells his friends and some other people that they must stay inside and keep warm - not try to go south. The only things they can do to keep warm is to huddle together in a room with a fireplace - and burn books! What a dilemma to have to choose which books to burn and which books to save, at least until last! A librarian chooses to save a Gutenberg Bible - the first book ever printed. He believes that if civilization as they know it is going to be gone, he wants to try to save a bit of it; preserve something of it. Another librarian chooses a medical book, and just in time. But what of other books to save? What of other books to burn? A homeless man chooses to burn the books with all the tax laws. Two college students debate if it is ok to burn a Kierkegard book. Which books would you try to save? Select some children's books as well as some books for adults. What do you say? Which books represent and preserve our civilization? Why? Why should they be saved?

Writing Challenge - Why Late to Class or Club?

Why is your young character late for a school class, or extracurricular voluntary or required activity/club such as sports practice, music practice, history or science or language arts/literature club. Conjure up, an outlandish or unique excuse that rivals the often quoted school-related mishap such as "my dog ate my homework."

Writing Challenge Based On Special Literary Time

Note the National Picture Book Writing Week contest page at http://paulayoo.com/napi. If that's your type of writing, give it a try (participating when it's time, or doing it as a writing challenge you give yourself). OR if you write something other than picture books, try a writing exercise that inspires you based on a special day or month designated for some other type of writing. For example: Novel Writing Month, Poetry Month, a Favorite Author's Birthday, or an anniversary year based on the time of publication of one of your favorite children's book. Good luck.

Writer Profile and You

In a variation of an actual contest posted somewhere, write a six word or six sentence profile or memoir of a well known children's writer; then write one of yourself as the writer you are or are aiming to be.

Challenge - ''Politics'' Not As Usual

See the writer's challenge: "Letters from the White House" at http://www.readingrockets.org/books/fun/writingcontest. In a variation of this challenge, write a short story, poem, or letter, written from a young person's point of view. The young person should be someone connected to the First Family or someone who has had a direct or brief moment of contact with the Presidential Family. It can be a writing by an actual young First Family member from the past or present. Include something of importance to the young writer about the historical time in which the chosen First Family lives or has lived. You may also write something from the viewpoint of another young person who is or was somehow in contact with the young members of the First Family. It may be, for example, a young person whose relative works at the White House, or someone from the public who wants to tell a young First Family member a special concern, with the hope that this concern will be handled.

When Thinking Of Something To Write

Some librarians and editors sometimes suggest subjects that writers should write about for young readers, because not much has been written on these subjects. Sometimes, too, these people suggest subjects that have been written about too much, and writers should avoid them. Dare to Take Up This Challenge: Find a subject one of these people suggest writers should avoid because they have been written about often, then brainstorm and come up with a new unique angle that only you have thought of, then write something fictional or nonfictional using this angle. Dare to send it out to show that there are an infinite number of ways to write about subjects that have often been written about - AND keep in mind that maybe you have discovered one of the great ways to write on this subject.