Creative Problem Solving

In my opinion, one of the best sources of humor when it comes to books, television shows, and movies is creative problem solving. For example, in the children’s cartoon Sofia the First, Sofia will occasionally run into an interpersonal problem. The easy, and obvious, solution would be to talk to one of her parents. She rarely does this. Instead, she tries what seems like a good idea at the time and usually makes the situation worse. It is not until her solution has failed that she turns to one of her parents for advice.

Your writing challenge is to create a protagonist and problem. Then come up with ten creative ways to solve it. Do NOT allow logic, wisdom, social conventions, or even laws of nature to hinder your creative solutions. Let them be wacky, impossible, illegal, inadvisable, anything you want, except boring.

After you have come up with ten creative solutions to the problem, choose your favorite one and write about what happens. If you’re willing, please share your protagonist, problem, and solutions in the comments section. I’d love to see what you come up with!

Below are my protagonist, problem, and ten creative solutions. Enjoy!

Protagonist: Turkey

Problem: The turkey does not want to become the main course at someone’s Thanksgiving dinner.

Solutions:

1. Hide

2. Steal the method(s) of execution.

 3. Run away.

4. Get elected president and outlaw the consumption of turkey.

5. Change the food associated with Thanksgiving.

6. Go to friends for help.

7. Become a famous athlete. (No one eats a superstar.)

8. Redirect their appetite.

9. Immigrate to a country that does not celebrate Thanksgiving.

10. Let someone else take the fall.

Happy writing!

Katie

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How to Maximize Social Media

Hello everyone!

Since January 2017 will be the one year anniversary for my blog, writer’s website, and writer’s Facebook page, I have started reflecting on what I have learned over the past year and what I can do better next year.  I have also been asking myself whether or not I should expand to another form of online media.

Below are three articles I found enlightening.  I hope they help you as much as they did me.

“How Writers Should Be Using Social Media [Infographic]” by Wealthy Web Writer, contributed by Matt Banner: http://www.wealthywebwriter.com/2016/07/writers-using-social-media-infographic/

“How Successful Authors Use Social Media to Sell More Books” by Chuck Sambuchino, excerpted from Guide to Literary Agents, from Writer’s Digest Books: http://thewritelife.com/how-successful-authors-use-social-media-to-sell-more-books/

I liked the advice from “10 Pro Tips for Writers Using Social Media” by Matt Petronzio, but I had to wade through pop-ups to read it.  I pasted the ten tips below.  If you’re willing to risk the pop-ups, here’s the link: http://mashable.com/2012/02/02/social-media-writers/#wpD1VUqRikq6

1. “Sign Up for the Big Networks”
2. “Interact and Engage — Enthusiastically”
3. “Minimize Self-Promotion”
4. “Consider Privacy and Comfort Levels”
5. “Find a Happy Medium”
6. “Make Valuable Connections”
7. “Keep Up Appearances”
8. “Aspiring Writers vs. Seasoned Writers”
9. “Don’t Obsess Over Number of Followers”
10. “Don’t Force It”

Happy writing!

Katie

Veterans Day

Hello everyone!

In honor of Veterans Day, this week’s writing prompt is a two part prompt.

Part 1: “Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of a readiness to die.” – G. K. Chesterton

Pick a war and imagine you are fighting in it. It is the night before a big battle or mission. Write a journal entry. How do you feel about the upcoming battle/mission? What are you most afraid of? What person, place, or life plan do you keep thinking about? What do you believe the outcome of the battle/mission will be?

Part 2: “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” – George Washington

Now write a second journal entry dated November 11, 2016. How do you feel this Veterans Day? How do you remember that big battle or mission from Part 1? What was the outcome? Do you feel like your risk and sacrifice are appreciated? Explain why or why not.

Thank you to all the brave men and women who served or are currently serving this country in the armed forces. Bless you for what you did and do for us.

Happy writing!

Katie

The Publishing Process

 

Hello everyone!

Since I’m planning to submit multiple picture books and short stories for publication in January, I’ve decided to look into what the publishing process entails.  Below are two articles I found helpful.

“The publishing process” by Bill Swainson: https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/writers/advice/145/preparing-for-submission/what-does-a-publisher-do/the-publishing-process

“Publishing 101” by Jerry D. Simmons: http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/business-legal-matters/publishing-101-what-you-need-to-know

Happy writing!

Katie