Storee Wryter - A Blog for Young Writers

Me for President! Writing Prompt

2012-02-16T08:02:00.000-08:00

Monday, February 20, 2012 is President's Day. Imagine you're the president. Write a story about a day in your life a President of the United States. What would have for breakfast? Who would you meet with? Where would you go and and how would you get there? What do you think is the most important thing you would do as president?

Have fun!

Who Do You Love? Writing Prompt

2012-02-09T11:56:00.001-08:00

Next week we will celebrate Valentine's Day. Write a poem or short story about love. It can be funny, romantic, scary or even weird. The more original and off the wall the better. Have fun. Will you be my Valentine?

Let's Play Football! Writing Prompt

2012-02-02T09:13:00.000-08:00

It's time for the annual Super Bowl football game. Are you a fan? If you are, and even if you aren't, today's prompt is to write a story that includes a football.

Did you score the winning touchdown? Or, did your little sister run off with the ball and do something funny with it? What other things can you do with a football?

Use your imagination and start writing!

Writing Prompt - Look What I Saw!

2012-01-26T11:49:00.000-08:00

Upon waking you hear a strange noise outside your bedroom window. You open the curtains and can't believe your eyes! What do you see? Is it people walking on their hands? A group of monkeys playing the violin? Perhaps a new neighbor is moving in and they have a kid just your age. Did your dog carry home something unusual? Or maybe your Dad is finally home after a long separation.

Use your imagination and have fun writing a story about one or more of the amazing things you might encounter right outside your window.

Storee would love to see what you have written and invites you to share it on her blog.

Thursday Writing Prompt - A Child is Lost

2012-01-19T08:10:00.000-08:00

A little girl or boy wandered away from a family picnic and is lost in the woods. What happens next? How is he or she found?
Things to consider:
The Characters - Who is there? Describe them- how old are they, what are they wearing? Are they calm or freaking out?
The Setting - Where are they? What does it look like?
Dialogue - What are they saying?

Working Stiffs: Grammer Pet peeves

2012-01-05T09:02:00.000-08:00

Working Stiffs: Grammer Pet peeves: By Paula Matter I could of sworn it was’nt my turn for writing a post for the blog today; but I keep loosing track of time so I guess i...

Writing Prompt - Snakes in School!

2012-01-05T07:15:00.000-08:00

"Someone's pet snake is loose in the classroom! Describe what happens."

Writing Prompt - What a Cliche'!

2011-12-29T08:31:00.000-08:00

According to an article on About.com titled What Are Clichés and Why Are We Supposed to Avoid Them? - a cliché is any overly familiar word or phrase. As writers we are often warned to avoid them like the plague. However, like most rules, it's sometimes fun to break them. Especially if you can do it without causing any harm.

Our writing prompt this time is to write a short story or poem using as many cliches as you like.

My dog is happy as a clam,
My cat as fit as any fiddle.
You see what a bad poet I am?
Perhaps next time I'll try a riddle.

A Great Online Writing Workshop for Kids

2011-12-21T11:55:00.000-08:00

The Young Voices Foundation, a 501 c 3 educational nonprofit is offering an online writing workshop for young writers in grades 2-4. Complete details about the course are provided on the workshop page website.

Pencil to Paper - the 4 P's of Creative Writing -Online Course

INSTRUCTOR: Moira Rose Donohue, Children's Author http://www.moirarosedonohue.net/

DATE: January 2 - January 23, 2012

LIMITED CLASS SIZE: Click Here to Enroll Now
Fee: $60.00 ENROLL NOW AND SAVE $10.00 Early Registration $50.00
Early registration closes December 25, 2011.

Course Description

This online course will cover: Person, Place, Plot, and Punctuation
Session 1 - Jan. 2
Person or Character
We will look at ways to describe a person beyond how a person looks (e.g.: voice, action, what the person says).

Session 2 - Jan. 9
The Second week will address: Place (setting) including time (past, present or future), fantasy v. reality, and descriptive words.

Session 3 - Jan. 16
The third week will be about plot or story. It will give tips about how to make sure the story has a beginning, middle and end and why there needs to be a problem at the beginning.

Session 4 - Jan. 23
The last week will be a fun lesson in punctuation, including a "What Punctuation Mark Are You?" quiz.

There will be short (5 sentence) assignments for the first three weeks, with feedback, the chance to ask questions and an option at the end to submit a story of any length for a critique.

Read All About It!

2011-12-15T08:11:00.000-08:00

On December 1, 2011 there was a wonderful article about Storee Wryter in the Washington Post
You never know what a reporter will choose to include in a piece so I didn't know what I would find when I opened the paper that morning but this far exceeded my expectations. And the print edition included a full size image of the book cover. I was doing a Snoopy Happy Dance for hours after seeing it.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/loudoun-author-bobbi-carducci-inspired-by-childhood-passion-for-writing/2011/11/28/gIQARI5bDO_story.html

And a very positive review of Storee Wryter Gets a Dog appeared on the blog, Oh My Dog! in November. I am thrilled to report that the author of Oh My Dog!, Maggie Martin, will be guest blogging here in mid January so be sure to come back then.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Writing Prompt - My Favorite Food

2011-11-22T07:52:00.000-08:00

Write a story about your favorite food. Some people like turkey, others like ham. How about your favorite vegetable? Storee loves ice cream and Critique is very fond of tuna.

Have a fun time creating a story that includes a faovorite of yours.

Happy Writing and Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween Writing Prompt

2011-10-27T11:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

Critique and Addie love Halloween and so does Storee Wryter. She's having a party and inviting her friends and their pets. What kind of costume do you think Critique or Addie would like to wear?

Write a Halloween story featuring a pet parade and what might happen when the moon comes out and the fog rolls in. Is it funny, spooky, or a little bit of both?

Happy Writing!

Going to Tennessee! - Writing Prompt

2011-10-06T10:44:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow Storee is going to Tennessee for the long weekend. Next week she will post about what she did on her mini vacation. This week your writing prompt is to write a story about person from or a place in Tennessee. Here is a link to help you get started. http://www.thingstodo.com/states/TN/famous_people.htm

Have great week and Happy Writing!

My Dog Can Count! - Writing Prompt

2011-09-29T07:53:00.000-07:00

A farmer is wondering how many sheep he has in his field, so he asks his sheepdog to count them. The dog runs into the field, counts them and then runs back to the farmer."40," says the dog.
"How can there be 40?" asks the farmer. "I only bought 38!"
"I know," says the dog. "But I rounded them up."

Write a story about a dog who can count. It can be funny like this joke or it can be a true story about a mommy dog counting her pups.

What do you think, can dogs do math? Here's a link that seems to show they can. http://dogsinthenews.com/stories/070427a.php (And it's also where I found the joke I just told.)

If you know a good joke about a dog or another kind of pet feel free to share it here.

I Laughed So Hard ... - Writing Prompt

2011-09-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

Storee Wryter loves to laugh and have a good time. This week you are invited to write about a time when something funny happened to you or someone you know. When you write, try not to tell the readers what happened. Show them. For example:

Tell: Jimmy told a joke. Melissa laughed and laughed.

Show: Hey Melissa, Jimmy said. Listen to this!
What?" she answered, wondering what Jimmy was up to. Whenever she saw that impish glint in his eyes she ended up laughing so hard she'd get the hiccups.

Writing Prompt of the Week - Write a New Fairy Tale

2011-09-15T08:36:00.000-07:00

Storee Wryter was thinking about Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, Ariel and other princesses and decided she'd like to write a different version of a fairy tale, perhaps from the prince's point of view. Or maybe the castle could be bewitched. She's also thinking of adding a cat the story or maybe a very wise dog.
Join Storee and write your own version of a fairy tale. If you need help getting started, here's an idea.

"One morning you look out the window and discover that a huge castle has appeared overnight. Write what happens next."

Service Dogs Owner Assaulted -This Should Never Happen

2011-09-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

Recently in the news was the story of an off-duty McDonald's manager assaulting the owner of a service dog she had insisted wasn't allowed in the restaurant. http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2011/07/service-dog-owner-assaulted-by-mcdonalds-manager/
Previous to reading that I had learned of a instance where the director of the paws4vets program was denied access to a WV hotel with his service dog. http://www.helpkyria.com/page/16/

As the author of Storee Wryter Gets a Dog, featuring ADDIE a real life service dog, I am appalled by these reports. Hearing them makes me wonder how often service dogs are refused access to the very places they are trained to enter in order to assist their owners. If you know of a situation where a service dog and his or her owner were given a hard time or refused service of any kind please share that story here. Only when people know of a problem can they take steps to fix it.

If you have a service dog and you have had positive experiences you are also invited to share your stories and photos here.

Earthquake!

2011-08-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

Round Hill, VA, where Storee, Addie and Critique live, was rattled by the earthquake that hit the Washington, D.C. area this week. Critique was meowing loudly for several seconds and Addie was tugging on Storee's sleeve moving her away from the sliding glass door to the deck just before dishes started to rattle and the floor began to shake. Luckily, that's all that happened and in a few seconds it was all over.

Storee thinks it's cool that Critique and Addie knew something unusual was going to happen before she did and she's going to write a story about it and invites you to do the same. Have you experienced an earthquake? If you did, what was it like? Did animals around you behave oddly before it happened? If you haven't experienced an earthquake what do you think it would be like?

Storee looks forward to reading your earthquake story and learning about how other animals react.

Panting for Breath - Writing Prompt

2011-08-04T08:10:00.000-07:00

You can tell the same stories many different ways. For example, you could write:

The boy ran along the street. He was being chased by a tiger.

but you could also write:

Panting for breath, the boy raced along the street. The tiger was getting close!

or you could put it like this:

"Help!" cried Tommy. His short legs were pumping as fast as they could go. "There's a tiger after me. Help!"

Adding speech as in the last example helps bring drama to your stories and makes your characters more convincing.

Try it. Write the same sentence three ways then use the best one to start a new story. You can then post it here for others to read.

Until next time, Write Away, Write Now~

Note: The Writing Prompt Posted Here Was Taken From the Usborne Books, Write Your Own Story Book. For information about Usborne Books go to www.usbornebooksandmore.com

Hey Kids, Let's Play! Writing Prompt of the Week

2011-07-28T12:05:00.000-07:00

Critique is a playful cat, and Addie is looking for some fun. Both are hoping that Storee will take them outside for a while.

Addie wants to go swimming. Critique is longing to do some climbing. Storee Wryter likes to do both and she likes to swing. What can they do and where can they go so all three have a great time?

Write a story about fun in the sun. What do you like to do when the weather is right for playing outdoors? Your story can be set during the day or evening.

Here are some ideas to get you started: picnic, visit to the playground, hide-n-seek, catching fireflies (lightning bugs), climbing a big, sturdy tree, jumping rope, going to the pool, a game of water tag, mini Olympics.

Write and let Critique, Storee and Addie, know how you like to spend a day in the sun.

Until next week - Happy Writing!

Tale of the Super Bug Bite - Writing Prompt

2011-07-21T04:11:00.000-07:00

After suffering a bite from a mysterious bug no one has ever seen before you begin to develop super powers. At first all your friends are thrilled. Your team is unbeatable with you on the soccer field. You know the answers to all the math tests before your teacher passes them out and you can make ice cream sundaes appear out of thin air.
Everything is wonderful until you start seeing changes in your best friend. Has she or he been bitten too, and if so, why is he or she so angry with you all of a sudden?

Storee's cat, Critique, thinks something very fishy is going on and she can't wait to find out what it is.

Post your version of The Tale of the Super Bug Bite as a response to this post and satisfy Critique's curiosity. Until then, Happy Writing!

Could a Golden Retriever Like Addie Be A Perfect Family Pet?

2011-07-16T08:43:00.000-07:00

This link to a video on The Discovery Channel will help you answer that question. If you answer yes, the book Storee Wryter Gets a Dog - featuring ADDIE as a puppy is the book for you. It features suggestions for training your puppy and a great story for young readers that includes an invitation to write their own short stories about their pets and other topics.

ADDIE all Grown Up

http://animal.discovery.com/videos/dogs-101-golden-retriever.html

Click here to order a signed copy of Storee Wryter Gets a Dog.

Storee's Writing Prompt of the Week

2011-07-14T04:45:00.000-07:00

Storee Wryter was helping her mom by sorting and folding the clean laundry when she notice one of her favorite socks was missing.
That's curious, Storee thought. She was too intent on her work to notice Critique pawing at the still warm pile of socks belonging to Mr. Wryter that Storee had placed on the sofa.

When she finished her work Storee realized on of her father's socks was missing too!

Write a story about what happens to all the socks that get lost in the dryer. Where do they go?

For more fun include Critique in your story. Why was she pawing at the pile of warm socks?

Post your story as a reply to this prompt. Storee and Critique look forward to reading it.

Until next week, Happy Writing!

Storee Wryter Gets a Dog Named a Best Dog Book for Young Readers by The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Milan

2011-07-07T10:21:00.000-07:00

To be named as one of the best dog books for young readers by such a prestigious publication is an honor. Barbara Simpson Carducci, Author of Storee Wryter Gets a Dog is thrilled have her book recommended to young readers by the publishers of Cesar's Way. Teachers and parents may contact her regarding author visits and writing workshops at the following email address storeewryter@gmail.com

Critique is Missing by Alexis Zimmer-Chu

2011-07-07T06:58:00.000-07:00

Alexis was also a participant in the writing camp taught by Barbara Simpson Carducci. Here is her version of Critique is Missing. Unfortunately, Alexis didn't have time to write chapter five. Can you provide an ending for her story?

Chapter 1 –Where O Where Did My Little Cat Go?

“Critique! Where are you?” eight-year-old Storee Wryter called. Ten minutes ago Critique, Storee’s black and white cat had been happily looking for mice or grasshoppers in the backyard. Storee had just looked up and realized Critique was gone.

“Critique!” Storee called again.

Just then her parents came out. “What’s wrong Storee?” asked Storee’s dad.

“Critique is missing!” Storee cried. “She was right here a few minutes ago.”

“Calm down, honey. I’m sure Critique will be back soon, “soothed her mom.

Can’t we at least put up posters?” Storee said. Both her parents agreed that was a good idea. They went inside to make them. While they made the posters, the Wryters went over possible ideas. She could have wandered, gotten hurt, been catnapped, or stuck.

‘What if she were kidnapped?’ thought Storee. Wouldn’t that make an interesting story?

Chapter 2 – Grumpy Grumpis Interferes.

Critique had been gone for three days. Mr. and Mrs. Wryter went out to put up posters with Storee. They put them on every tree and post they could find.

CAT MISSING, said the posters.

BLACK AND WHITE FEMALE.

PLEASE CALL 111-234-5678 IF YOU FIND CRITIQUE

“Do you think someone will find her?” Storee asked her mom.

“I hope so. But we’ll get her back one way or another,” she replied.

“I guess,” said Storee, hoping her mom was right. They did all the trees on the Wryter’s side and then crossed the street to the home of Mrs. Grumpis. As they were putting a poster on a tree in front of Mrs. Grumpis’ house, she came out to stop them.

“Don’t you put them ugly posters up anyplace near this home of mine!” she cried. Her old leathery skin made her seem very tough. She peered down at Storee through her spectacles and said, “Git away from here. Do y’all here me?”

Storee and her mom said they were sorry and went to put posters on the next house down.

“That’s right! Git gone, y’hear?” Mrs. Grumpis called after them, waving her fist in the air.

What is she took Critique? Storee speculated. What if…?

Chapter 3 – Storee Suspects Jake

The next day Storee took a walk to look for Critique. She peered under bushes and behind houses. She even asked neighbors if they had seen Critique, though she avoided Mrs. Grumpis’ house.

She was heading home very disheartened, when she saw a boy in the backyard of Mrs. Grumpis’ house. He looked slightly older than Storee and had jet -black hair. He was practicing something in the backyard but Storee couldn’t tell what it was. She went closer and saw him kicking and punching.

“What are you doing? Storee asked.

“Aya! Karate! I’m a black belt you know,” he answered. “And my name’s Jake. I’m here for the summer.”

Storee was trying not to giggle. Jake looked so concentrated on doing his karate and talking that he looked rather comical.

“I’m Storee,” she giggled.

“You know, karate isn’t funny!” yelled jake. “But your name is!”

That made Storee stop laughing.

“You be quiet about my name!” she said, on the verge of tears. She turned and walked home crying.

“Mom! You know Mrs. Grumpis across the street?”

“Yes, why?”

“She has a grandson named Jake!”

“Well that’s nice. Is he your age?”

“About. But he said I have a funny name.”

“That was very mean of him,” Mrs. Wryter told Storee. Storee nodded. Her mom gave her a big hug.

“You shouldn’t listen to what people like that say, though, Storee. You have a beautiful name,” her mom said, stroking Storee’s hair. Storee nodded again.

What if Jake’s in on Critique’s disappearance, Storee thought. What a story that would make.

Chapter 4 – Critique Gone for Good?

Critique had been gone for a week. Storee had almost given up hope, even though she still asked the neighbors. One day, Storee decided to as Mrs. Grumpis.

Well, here goes nothing, she thought, knocking on the door. The door opened. Storee found herself looking into Jake’s face.

“Uh, hi,” he said.

“Hey,” Storee said. “You haven’t seen a cat around, have you?”

Jake grunted.

“What?” Storee asked.

“I don’t think so. Grandma hates cats,” Jake answered.

“Oh. You know, I’m sorry I laughed at your karate. I don’t know what I was thinking,“ mumbled Storee.

“It’s okay. I’m sorry I made fun of your name. I actually think it’s pretty cool,” Jake said.

“Don’t worry about it. What’s on your sofa?” Storee said. She had just seen black and white fur on the sofa. It looked like cat fur!

“Oh, uh, nothing,” Jake said hurriedly.

Yeah right, Storee thought. “See ya,” Storee said.

“Yeah,” said Jake. So Storee left

As she was leaving an idea came to her. Animal Control! She ran home to tell her parents. As she rounded the corner she saw an Animal Control truck. Storee ran up and asked the man in the truck if he’d seen a black and white cat.

“Excuse me, uh, Trapper!” Storee called, reading the name on his uniform. “You haven’t picked up a black and white female cat, have you?”

“Yes, actually. Earlier in the week. She was put to sleep though,” said Trapper, his long arms gesticulating.

“NO!” cried Storee, running as fast as she could. Critique could be dead? Imagine a story about how a girl copes with losing her cat, she thought.