Kids and the Art of Writing

Quote of the Day:  Answers to the question on our last day of Writing Camp, kids age 7-12: What did you like best about Writing Camp?
Writing
Making new writing friends
Writing
Reading
Writing
Having time to write
Sharing our writing
Writing
All of it!
Meeting an author
Meeting two authors
Meeting three authors
We learned that we need to get our characters in trouble and out of trouble. (Thanks to guest author Candace Simar)

Guest Author, Candace Simar at Writing Camp

 

I think you get the picture. Kids came to our writing camp because they like to write! Guy Kelm and I had a blast working with 13 young authors on their writing.

 

Mary Aalgaard and Guy Kelm, facilitators for Kids and the Art of Writing Camp

at Franklin Art Center

 

Kids and the Art of Writing Camp

 

We had a party at the end called Amazing Beginnings where the kids read from their journals, stories that they started this week, poems, ideas, interesting characters, exciting action. They had it all. I am so inspired by their creativity.

 

I have so much more to tell you, but I don't want to overwhelm you. We spent two hours every day together for a week, and now, we all have more stories to write and share. Oh, ya, I brought Millie and Willie. The kids gave me a bunch of ideas for them, too.  They even hung around for the readings.

 

 

I'll share more with you next week. On Saturday, I'll be going to The Children's Theatre in Minneapolis to watch If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and sharing my review here.

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  What would you write on your author/personal bio?

 

Review of The Apron by Guy Kelm

Quote of the Day:  Poem by Guy Kelm, author of The Apron
I am but a simple reminder
Of the life lived
By one who has given much.

Within my folds
I carry memories
To be told
By those who hold me.



The Apron written by Guy Kelm, illustrated by Brady Bussler

 

The Apron written by Guy Kelm and illustrated by Brady Bussler is a picture book of memories and stories about a mom and her big family, growing up on the farm, told from the perspective of the Apron that was there for the flour dusted days of bread baking to the bloody knee days of spills and heart break. The illustrations are also from the Apron's perspective, a charming compliment to the stories.

Here's a link to a video of Guy Kelm discussing his book.

This book is both delightful and sentimental. It gives you insight into times past, when living and working on a farm were hard work, yet filled with love and wonder. Many people who read it tell the author how it evokes memories of their own growing up years and mothers.

Guy Kelm teaches second grade at Riverside Elementary in the Brainerd school district. He is a writer and lover of words. He is also my friend who appeared in my play, Coffee Shop Confessions, where he also shared his amazing skills as a director.

The Apron can be purchased locally at a few stores in downtown Brainerd: The Olde Open Window, Fancy Pants Chocolates, and Cat Tales Book Store. Or, visit Guy's website, Green Kite Publishing. Guy and I will be teaching a summer camp session at the Franklin Arts Center called Kids and the Art of Writing, June 17-21, for 8-12 year olds who want to write their own books!

Guy and the illustrator, Brady, are great examples of following your dream, building your art, and sending it out into the world.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Write about your mom or a childhood memory.



Guy playing Nick

Today is Insecure Writer's Support Group. Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh and his brilliant blog. I call the self-doubt voices "The Committee." I am forming a team to fight them. Guy is leading the charge.  Read on.

Quote of the Day: And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt. - Sylvia Plath

My play, a swim meet, and one good Guy.

I was trying to think of a good guy to play the part of Nick in my play, Coffee Shop Confessions. I remembered that Guy Kelm was a writer, has done some work with theatre, and he would fit the role nicely. So, I emailed him with a request and explanation of what I was doing.  I didn't hear from him, so I thought he might not have gotten my email or wasn't sure about it. His kids are on the swim team with my boys. When I saw him at the weekend swim meet, he gently turned me down to play the part, but said that he loves reading plays and would be happy to read mine.  Since I just happened to have it with me at the meet, I handed it to him, and let the day progress.

The Y swim meets are loooong suckers. It's a full day affair. I'd get up watch my swimmers for a few minutes, then come back to my chair, not far from Guy's. I'd peek up at him as he kept reading my script throughout the day. I thought it was a good sign that he didn't chuck it under his seat. At the end of the meet, he came up to me and said many wonderful things about my play.  I was flattered and thanked him. After he described his impression of the story and how Nick is an important character and what he does to challenge the other characters in the play, I said, "You get it." (I wanted him to play the part so badly at this point.)

He handed me back the script and said he was really interested in it. He paused and said, "Maybe."

On Tuesday morning, the self-doubt committee was planning a meeting in my head. I'd just heard that the timing didn't work for another actor, and I thought this still wasn't the right time to have my play performed. I put in a call to another actor, then sat down at the piano for a while. Just before I headed out to my weekly yoga class, I checked my email. Guy wrote to tell me that YES he'd like to take the role of Nick. I squealed a very happy thank you! (He probably heard it across town.) Then, went to yoga.

That same week, on Friday evening, I read over my script again, and of course, found places to tweak it. Between picking up my kids, feeding them, and cleaning up, I finally read the last act in bed. The self-doubt committee knew I was tired and that my defenses were down. I still had one more role to fill. As I read Act 3, I started to think it was terrible writing, so sappy.  Who would ever want to be in this play? People will role their eyes when they see it. 

I said, "Stop it." (to the committee) I reminded them how Guy was a no until he read the play, then changed to a YES! "Take that, committe!" I told them to get out of my head and out of my bed, it was time for me to go to sleep.

During our first rehearsal, Guy told his story, including that he is a theatre and music major. He is currently a second grade teacher. He really does get my play. When I try to make changes, he tells me why what is there is working. He asks the right questions. He gives me even more insight into the story that we're telling.

I am so grateful to have Guy on my team. Thank you so much. Your words and your YES are a strong defense against that awful self-doubt committee.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Who's voice do you hear when you need to fight off the self-doubts?