Get That Chickadee Feeling

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Free Teacher's Guide
BOOMer Rules
2007

The Author's Writing Process

1.     Prewriting-hardest and most important part-developing the idea for the story

Idea
-purpose, theme, message, audience, form
-why you wrote the story -strong  -clear -original
-entertaining -fresh -surprising -inviting
-can relate to easily   -informative  -enlightens
-topic narrow and manageable

For getting simple ideas to encourage children to write, suggest they walk around with a notepad observing and recording people, animals, nature, special events, family gatherings, friends, pets, dreams and daydreams. These ideas can be expanded upon and embellished later.

Big Questions-   
     What is important to me?  
     What would I like to say or share to help others?  
      How can I use my personal experiences to write?

Author’s Sources for ideas
- Nature is a rich bank of inspirational ideas from which we can draw many exciting and interesting stories by combining non-fiction with fiction.

That Chickadee Feeling- observing the smiling and engaging faces of children feeding friendly Black Capped Chickadees out of their hand. –a life-changing bonding with nature.

When I Grow Up….- observing characteristics of my dog, Muffy, at home and in nature.-seeing unconditional love, friendship, loyalty, entertainment, companionship, protection…

Butterfly Wishes- observing Monarch Butterflies feeding from Cone flowers and laying eggs on Milkweed. -observing Monarchs arrive in Mexico by the millions from Canada.

Samuel’s Most Important Message- watching a Blanding’s Turtle laying eggs.  I was amazed at their long, bright beautiful yellow necks. Its pond was in danger of being filled in and replaced by houses. “If a turtle shows up in your life, it is time to get connected to your most primal essence. Go within your shell and come out when your ideas are ready to be expressed” Native Proverb

I Need a Hug- observing people hugging Redwood Trees in California and listening to their comments. Even big tough, motorcycle, tattooed men could not help hug the giants.

BOOMer Rules- observing Bullfrogs singing and defending their territory in a pond near Clinton, Ontario. It was like going to a concert or a Shakespearian play put on by mother nature.

 *Observation means direct use all 5 senses to learn more. The five senses are in each story.

Background for Ideas

Passion           Keen Observation      Interest
-environment     -non fiction           -animals, plants
-life, legacy        - life/habitat          -values
-loves nature      -nature                  -ecology
-feelings             -people                  -happiness

Problem            Imagination          Knowledge
-environment      -fiction                  - Sci. Education
-care for others  -create interest     -nature
-humanistic        -spiritual               -values
-interesting         -inspiring              -teacher

Once you have your idea, BRAINSTORM it, until you have exhausted all thoughts! Think like a tree!

Organization (mapping)
-Choose the best related parts of your brainstorming thoughts and organize them logically into a story line. The difference between being artistic and not is the ability to pick the good parts out of the brainstorming.

Beginning
-set up problem  -make reader want to read on
-creates and capture interest   -inviting  -identify
-hook the reader  - meet characters  -see setting

Middle
-develop idea with events that are linked together
-story flows smoothly  -ideas connect
-events connect in logical order  -new details, facts
-keeps your interest and holds attention
-builds excitement up as story progresses
- relevant and related details

Ending
-solves problem  -satisfying conclusion
-leaves you with something to think about
-ties up loose ends  -answers questions
-experience sense of closure
-usually the characters change

Finding Voice in Writing
-author’s over-all personality consistently coming through in a personal manner
-heart and soul of the writer being heard
-a real person speaking to you
-conviction, risk and passion of author
-you feel the author’s caring message
-expressive, lively, engaging and energetic
-a personal individual style- provocative
-appropriate age level
-the conscience of the story

Author’s Voice

-a caring, sensitive, compassionate voice that is concerned about values, the environment and our children’s future but still has a sense of humour

Key to success- RE-VISION, RE-VISION, RE-VISION and RE-VISION
-         seek positve input from peers, teacher, parents, dog…
-         Re-read your story using adjective, adverb, action verb, specific verb eyes.
-         Remove unnecessary parts.
-   Have a classmate, friend, parents read the story to you while you record changes.
I call it massaging the story. It makes the story feel better just like a massage.
I re-read my stories over 200 times before publication.

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