Blog Archives

Writing for Kids

2/27/2024

Why do I write books for kids? Now this, I consider an open-ended question. A tip of the iceberg that requires answering other questions. What inspired me? What is important to me? What gets included? What is left out? As you can see, there is a lot to consider when writing a children’s book, or any book for that matter.

The books I write for children introduce characters similar to those we might meet in our everyday life. The personalities of each animal or person found throughout provides the reader with the chance to say, “Hey, I know someone like that,” or, “that sounds like my cat or dog.” To have the book likeable, readable, and believable, the characters' dispositions need familiarity, as does the scenes they are found in. The place somehow lets the reader think it is somewhere they may have been, knows about, or has always wanted to go to.

It is important to fill the pages with words that give you the opportunity to use your imagination. Bringing the book alive with a mixture of colour as well as black and white pictures. The person reading should be drawn to one, or all of the characters.

Events in the book might open dialogue between children and adults. Comparing the situations the characters are experiencing to events that might happen in life, while teaching underlying lessons throughout the pages.

Adults may find the interaction on the pages lighthearted, yet there is the possibility they’ll be taken to a time when they too knew an animal, person, or circumstances that make them smile, remembering.

It is very important to me for people of all ages to find some sort of reading. It might be an actual book they will read on their own, or someone will read it to them, or perhaps in the form of an audiobook. Regardless of how the story is told, children and adults need to resonate with the words for them to continue to turn the pages. If there is one thing that sticks with them after reading the book, I have succeeded as a writer. If it becomes their favourite book, and they share it with others, that is the icing on the cake.

#AnnEdallRobson #FromWhereICome #mywesternheritage #CanadianWriter #LessonsInChildrensBooks #ChildrensBookAuthor #CapturingMomentsOthersMayNeverGetToExperience #WesternHeritage #TheOldWays #RanchCulture #LearningFromAnimals

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Behind the Mask

2/19/2024

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The 24/7 body pain etched into the creases of his face was one thing, but the twinkle that had left his eyes was another. He couldn’t go on with the ‘I am tough’ persona he used to try to mask the hurt from her. She’d manage the chores, she said. He gave her a hug, let his lips brush over her forehead, picked up his rifle, and opened the door to the predawn light. Today he will hunt for deer. She had given him that when she told him tomorrow she would go with him to the doctor.

99 WORDS...AND A LITTLE BIT MORE

Hallowe’en masks, makeup, hat brims all have one thing in common, they let us hide behind what we don’t think others will recognize.

Masquerade masks and parties have been around forever. Their origin is European, and it was thought the masks were worn by the upper class at balls. Personally, I find this to be a vain start to a tradition that has worked its way through the centuries to become painted art on people’s faces.

No longer does it seem important to hide behind said mask; however, large dollars are spent on sporting the most outrageous, glamorous, facial attire available. Some are truly a work of art, and it is too bad they will be removed with only photographs of their existence left behind.

I mentioned hat brims. The one that comes immediately to my mind is a cowboy hat. Go figure! There is no better way to mask true feelings that ooze from one’s eyes than the use of a hat brim. Pull it down just so, and keep your head at a slight angle downward, meaning no one is going to be able to see into the windows to your soul.

Masking our feelings, our pain, and unfortunately even happiness is a common occurrence. People in general don’t want others to judge them. Yet, it is so much fun to portray ourselves as our inner person. The shocked look on the faces of others is worth the moment of “should I or shouldn’t I” when “should I” wins out.

When we are children, teens and young adults, people call us foolish, impetuous, acting out. When we are in our 30s and 40s, people call us irresponsible. When we get to 50+ years, people say we are losing it, our minds, that is. Well, I am here to tell you, ALL of those people have not lived life to the fullest. They preside behind a mask that has them looking down their nose at everything and everyone.

Living every day as if it were your last, laughing so hard your stomach hurts, or you have to change your underwear, singing to the tunes that bring you joy and tears, and the best saying that has floated around for years, is dancing like no one is watching you.

Don’t mask your life to conform to the way others feel. Let them worry about their own rodeo while you ride in the wind enjoying yours.

#AnnEdallRobson #FromWhereICome #99WordStories #FlashFiction #facemask #painmask #iamtough #ranchtradition #makingmemories #graveltravel #CapturingMomentsOthersMayNeverGetToExperience #TheOldWays #RuralLiving #WhoaBackUpStop #AnnEdallRobsonPhotography

February 13, 2024, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about an intolerable mask. Who is wearing the mask and why? What is so intolerable about the mask? Is there empathy for the one behind the mask? Go where the prompt leads!

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Walnut Oat Box

2/2/2024

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Strolling out of the tack room, Buttons called for his little friend.

“MUS, where are you?”

“Up here.” The mouse called from the hayloft ladder.

“MUS, you need to quit chewing on the old walnut grain box.”

“It’s not me. It’s those squirrels looking for handouts. They think the wood tastes like nuts. They’re a bad bunch.”

“We need to tell our people what’s going on.” Replied the cat.

“How are we going to do that, Buttons?”

Smirking, as only a barn cat with attitude can. “Miss Ann!”

“Miss Ann?”

“Yes! Her pen and imagination can make this happen!”

99 WORDS...AND A LITTLE BIT MORE

Dragging the Barn Cat Buttons Series characters into a story where they won’t be expected is fun. Stepping into the minds of these animals to come up with a storyline with dialogue, especially when there is obviously a lot more to the story than the allowed 99 words, is a challenge.

I am their creator, yet it was Steve who encouraged me to open the barn door to write children’s books. His stories from their family ranch about the barn cat with attitude are the backbone of the BCB Series. .

Like an actual trusted animal sidekick, the BCB animal characters are as comfortable with me telling their stories as I am wandering through corrals and pastures to capture inspirational moments. They trust me to tell their stories, get them out of predicaments, teach them right from wrong, and make them as endearing to those who read my books, as they are to me.

I will be honest, it is hard to keep their stories to a length that would be enjoyed by a child. The journey of the book starts with a thought, then pages of raw writing - longhand. I include some side notes for the illustrator as I write the longhand version. This is helpful when I bring the words to the computer. It’s where I condense the thousands of words in my journal down to hundreds to match what I am hopeful the illustrator will create.

The thing that isn’t hard when it comes to me writing children’s books is once there is a thought, an idea, I can produce a penned rough draft in a few hours. The BCBMPK book started while I was flying to a writer’s conference. The next morning, there were a few hours until the first workshop; I found a comfy chair and finished it. That afternoon, I met a lady who was a published children’s book author. Our conversation skirted my first attempt at writing a children’s book. She wanted to read what I had written.

Anyone who has written any kind of book knows this is where the work really begins. The process of edits, rewrites, interviewing illustrators, publishing and printing all came together a year later.

Are there additional BCB Series children’s books in the plan? Absolutely! Some have had their longhand version written, but that’s where they sit. Others are a few lines of notes in my journals with a flag attached to the page to remind me I need to revisit. Then there are a few that could possibly be made into two books. And on, and on it goes

Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life
"Capturing moments others may never get to experience.”

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#AnnEdallRobson #FromWhereICome #99WordStories #FlashFiction #BarnCatButtonsSeries #walnut #ranchtradition #makingmemories #graveltravel #CapturingMomentsOthersMayNeverGetToExperience #TheOldWays #RuralLiving #WhoaBackUpStop #AnnEdallRobsonPhotography

January 30, 2024, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about something made of walnut. How can the object expand a story? Who is the maker? How old is the object? What is its significance? Go where the prompt leads!

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