September is a perfect month to listen to and appreciate the sounds all around you, and to incorporate those sounds in your story ideas. Adding the senses to manuscripts adds depth, emotion, and richness to the work.
Here are a few prompts to help you notice and gather sounds to use in stories this month:
1) BUZZ and TWEET – insects and birds are all around in September. Listen carefully to the sounds in your garden, in a neighborhood park, or in a Botanical garden. Then research some of the insects and birds you hear. Perhaps look at photos on your computer or on an APP too. Jot down some story ideas revolving around those sounds.
2) BEEP BEEP – think about transportation sounds. Notice cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, and more. Incorporate the sounds you hear into an existing manuscript or think of a new idea that uses these sounds.
3) SIZZLE, POP, CRACK – listen to sounds in your kitchen or in a restaurant. Notice the sounds in relation to the food. Create an idea based on the foods and the sounds. Write a title, first line, or story arc.
I hope these prompts help you discover some ideas this September that incorporate the sights and sounds in your life. Let me know in the comments!
MELISSA’S BIO:
Melissa Stoller writes to bring connection, joy, and a bit of magic to her readers. She is the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection – Return to Coney Island, and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written with Callie Lovvorn and Shirin Rahman). Melissa is a Blogger and Course Assistant for the Children’s Book Academy, a Rate Your Story Judge, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, a Book Meshuggenahs member, a Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Advisory Council member, and a past school and synagogue Trustee. She also interviews authors and offers resources on her blog. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer/editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and Central Park walks. Melissa is represented by Jonathan Rosen at The Seymour Agency.
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