As a writer, I’m a firm believer in “going where the words are,” or following ideas and concepts you’re excited about as a writer, rather than forcing yourself to be creative in an area you feel dry. This isn’t to say we should quit when we experience dissonance in our work or we have a tough spot in our manuscript that we can’t seem to wrestle through—we can and we must be able to persevere when things get hard or we’d never finish a project! But it is to say, that sometimes when writing is wearisome or we’re feeling uninterested we need to just take a break and try something new to reenergize us in our craft.
So today, if you’re feeling stuck, or just want a fun creative exercise, try this 👇
Go find one of your favorite children’s picture books or think back on a favorite fairy tale, and re-write the story through a new character’s point of view other than the original narrator. This will give you the basic building blocks of writing a story, but (hopefully) will take away some of the things that can make us stumble as writers, like building conflict or problem-solving that conflict with an interesting and innovative solution that captivates the reader. How does the story change when you change the POV? What different things can you make the reader feel? Celebrate? Grieve? Believe?
I’ll never forget the time I read Little Red Riding Hood from the wolf’s perspective. I had never thought to do such a thing! It made me want to try it for myself. Hopefully, if you’re feeling stuck on your current picture book, trying out a fresh creative endeavor and having some fun can reinspire you to come back to your original work with a renewed sense of energy.
Feeling energized to write something fresh now, Reader? Let's work on your manuscript together in the KidLit Lab Manuscript Masterclass! Enrollment is officially open, and spots are going fast! The course kicks off April 22, and it's my last time live-coaching (we'll have four sessions where I answer all of your questions!), so don't miss out! It's time to write the book you've been dreaming of, my friend. (Psst! There's a payment plan option here if you'd like!)
"After taking Laura's course, my brain is BUZZING with ideas and I now know exactly what to do to shape them into stories kids will love."
- Carol F.
Until next time,
