Ask the Author: Bernice Seward
Answered Questions (8)
Bernice Seward
My summer reading list began with a couple of nonfiction books--8 Great Smarts by Kathy Koch and How the Brain Learns to Read by David A. Sousa (a little light reading for the summer :-) ). I have yet to begin either of these, but have been diving into a lot of other books I've added to the list as I go. Our local library has a "Book Bingo" contest, which has inspired recent additions to my list such as Harry Potter and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Other titles will continue to amass as the summer wears on. . . . I never can complete my reading list because it grows at a faster rate than I can ingest:-)
Bernice Seward
My most recent book (as opposed to a manuscript) is currently available in ebook form. It is a collection of early readers called "Dolch Pre-Primer Sight Word Story Collection A."
I got the idea for this book from tutoring first graders who struggle with reading comprehension. A lot of the "normal" books available are either too long or too difficult for a struggling reader to read and make connections with in a 15-minute time frame.
My goal was to create short, complete stories with a limited vocabulary that would be accessible to struggling or emergent readers and would introduce and reinforce certain words while giving time for follow up with activities that help the children make memorable connections.
I got the idea for this book from tutoring first graders who struggle with reading comprehension. A lot of the "normal" books available are either too long or too difficult for a struggling reader to read and make connections with in a 15-minute time frame.
My goal was to create short, complete stories with a limited vocabulary that would be accessible to struggling or emergent readers and would introduce and reinforce certain words while giving time for follow up with activities that help the children make memorable connections.
Bernice Seward
Life!
I am inspired by so many things I see or experience in life.
Light reflected onto wet pavement, making a "doorway" to another world;
A neighbor's experience with squirrels stealing cotton from her mop;
Branches on a tree that look like an old woman with crazy hair with a poodle, always looking across the field for something . . .;
Ideas sparked when I tutor young readers--either from things they say or words they struggle with, or ideas on how to make reading more interactive;
And so much more:-)
I am inspired by so many things I see or experience in life.
Light reflected onto wet pavement, making a "doorway" to another world;
A neighbor's experience with squirrels stealing cotton from her mop;
Branches on a tree that look like an old woman with crazy hair with a poodle, always looking across the field for something . . .;
Ideas sparked when I tutor young readers--either from things they say or words they struggle with, or ideas on how to make reading more interactive;
And so much more:-)
Bernice Seward
Everything? I have so many projects in various stages, the answer changes daily:-) This week I am revising a couple of picture book stories that I will be submitting for publication. I have other stories in various stages of the writing process that I will play "Rock, Paper, Scissors" with to determine which to work on next.
This spring I will be making a series of videos--some that go along with my picture book Have You Seen My Frog and others that dig into the writing process.
There is never a dull moment around here!
This spring I will be making a series of videos--some that go along with my picture book Have You Seen My Frog and others that dig into the writing process.
There is never a dull moment around here!
Bernice Seward
Easiest answer? Grab paper and a pencil and start right where you are:-)
I wrote a blog post that answers this very question. I don't know if I can create a link, but if you copy and paste the following into your browser, it will take you directly to the post:
http://www.berniceseward.com/seven-si...
I wrote a blog post that answers this very question. I don't know if I can create a link, but if you copy and paste the following into your browser, it will take you directly to the post:
http://www.berniceseward.com/seven-si...
Bernice Seward
What a great question! You have my mind buzzing with possibilities.
Usually, something natural I see--such as the shadow of a staircase on a wall or a tree that looks like a gnome--sparks a burst of questions and ideas as I ask myself "What COULD this be? What's the story here?"
But an actual, real-life mystery in my own life--rather than one that stems from a very active imagination? Intriguing.
Since I write for children, it would be a mystery befitting a young reader.
Since I work through many mini mysteries "along the path" of life, it would involve a quest.
Here is the mystery I choose, and how it might look as a story plot--
The mystery:
When I was growing up there were rumors that my Grandpa had hidden money somewhere around his and Grandma's property. I don't know if there was any legitimacy to those rumors, but my siblings and cousins and I were quite intrigued by the notion.
Also, as a writer, a teacher and a mom, one mystery I actively seek to solve is how to connect with my "audience" (whether it is a reader, a student, or my own child:-)) in a way that is engaging and that they can relate to. How can I share what I want or need to share in a way they can truly connect with?
Here is the plot for a book based on a combination of these mysteries:
After Amelia's great aunt Marge has a stroke, Amelia and her mom move in to help take care of her until Uncle Otto can sell the house. The neighbors, twins Junjie and Lin, seem nice but they don't speak much English and Amelia doesn't speak any Chinese. When Amelia and the twins discover what looks like a coded treasure map, can they learn to communicate well enough to follow the clues before the house is sold?
Usually, something natural I see--such as the shadow of a staircase on a wall or a tree that looks like a gnome--sparks a burst of questions and ideas as I ask myself "What COULD this be? What's the story here?"
But an actual, real-life mystery in my own life--rather than one that stems from a very active imagination? Intriguing.
Since I write for children, it would be a mystery befitting a young reader.
Since I work through many mini mysteries "along the path" of life, it would involve a quest.
Here is the mystery I choose, and how it might look as a story plot--
The mystery:
When I was growing up there were rumors that my Grandpa had hidden money somewhere around his and Grandma's property. I don't know if there was any legitimacy to those rumors, but my siblings and cousins and I were quite intrigued by the notion.
Also, as a writer, a teacher and a mom, one mystery I actively seek to solve is how to connect with my "audience" (whether it is a reader, a student, or my own child:-)) in a way that is engaging and that they can relate to. How can I share what I want or need to share in a way they can truly connect with?
Here is the plot for a book based on a combination of these mysteries:
After Amelia's great aunt Marge has a stroke, Amelia and her mom move in to help take care of her until Uncle Otto can sell the house. The neighbors, twins Junjie and Lin, seem nice but they don't speak much English and Amelia doesn't speak any Chinese. When Amelia and the twins discover what looks like a coded treasure map, can they learn to communicate well enough to follow the clues before the house is sold?
Bernice Seward
Only ONE best thing? That's a tough question!
For me, one of the best things about being a writer is the discovery process in putting together a new story. It's taking the initial idea or inspiration, asking "What's the story here?" then discovering the pieces of the story and how they fit together.
For me, one of the best things about being a writer is the discovery process in putting together a new story. It's taking the initial idea or inspiration, asking "What's the story here?" then discovering the pieces of the story and how they fit together.
Bernice Seward
The method I use to break through writer's block depends on what's actually causing the blockage.
Am I staring at a blank computer screen--or a blank piece of paper--and my brain seems to freeze? Am I revising a big project, and I feel so overwhelmed that I don't know where to start? Am I working on the outline for a first draft, and I just can't get the plot line figured out?
Some of the tactics I used to overcome writer's block include:
1. Tackle one bite-sized portion. Work on a small section or one specific detail of the project.
2. Set a timer. Devote a specific amount of time (say 30-45 minutes) and be okay with accomplishing whatever gets accomplished--or doesn't get accomplished--before the timer goes off. This tactic often leads to a breakthrough that keeps me writing well past the timed limit.
3. Set the project aside for a while and work on something else (this doesn't work as well if you have a deadline, but it can be handy when a story isn't coming together yet and you need a breather). Sometimes we're just not ready for the story, or the story isn't ready for us. If it's a story that begs to be told, its time will come.
4. Ask for input. I often pose questions on Facebook or in person when I'm working out details for a story. This does two things--it invites other people to be part of my writing process and it opens the door for creative ideas I may never have considered. One example of this is a picture book I'm currently working on, which includes details from conversations with at least three different people and a Facebook query involving multiple people.
These, of course, are only a few ideas for breaking through writers block.
In my experience, the trick is to zero in on the underlying cause of the blockade and advance one step at a time.
Persistence will pay off.
Happy writing!
Am I staring at a blank computer screen--or a blank piece of paper--and my brain seems to freeze? Am I revising a big project, and I feel so overwhelmed that I don't know where to start? Am I working on the outline for a first draft, and I just can't get the plot line figured out?
Some of the tactics I used to overcome writer's block include:
1. Tackle one bite-sized portion. Work on a small section or one specific detail of the project.
2. Set a timer. Devote a specific amount of time (say 30-45 minutes) and be okay with accomplishing whatever gets accomplished--or doesn't get accomplished--before the timer goes off. This tactic often leads to a breakthrough that keeps me writing well past the timed limit.
3. Set the project aside for a while and work on something else (this doesn't work as well if you have a deadline, but it can be handy when a story isn't coming together yet and you need a breather). Sometimes we're just not ready for the story, or the story isn't ready for us. If it's a story that begs to be told, its time will come.
4. Ask for input. I often pose questions on Facebook or in person when I'm working out details for a story. This does two things--it invites other people to be part of my writing process and it opens the door for creative ideas I may never have considered. One example of this is a picture book I'm currently working on, which includes details from conversations with at least three different people and a Facebook query involving multiple people.
These, of course, are only a few ideas for breaking through writers block.
In my experience, the trick is to zero in on the underlying cause of the blockade and advance one step at a time.
Persistence will pay off.
Happy writing!
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