Blog News of Vila Gingerich

"Shadow Monsters" Goes Live

3/21/2014

In my last post, I announced that my middle grade story would be published in Kids Book Review this month.

Well, it's up!

Shadow Monsters
by Vila Gingerich

(Yeah, I sort of like looking at my title, all centered like that and in my favorite color, with my name below. Indulge me.)

As to the Kids Book Review, a writing friend recommended this wonderful site to me. It's a fun and educational place for anyone who writes and/or reads children's literature.

Here's a bit more about them:

Kids' Book Review is a 100% voluntary children’s literature and book review site that supports and features authors, illustrators and publishers Australia-wide and internationally. It is run by a small team of women who have decades of experience in the children's book industry, with roles such as author, publisher, editor, bookseller, blogger, book designer and typesetter, speech pathologist, librarian, early childhood educator, mother and book lover.

If you're curious, hop on over to read my story. While you're there, check out the other fun writing samples and book reviews. It's a great site for moms, teachers, or those of us mature enough to enjoy children's literature.

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Story Prompts -- Me? Write about Monsters?

3/6/2014

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I don't often use story prompts, but when I do, I find the process fun and rewarding.

Prompts take me out of my writing comfort zone. It's like when the waiter accidentally switches your safe cheeseburger order to the Chef's Surprise, and you realize you actually quite like the smoked herring dish.

My latest story prompt experience went something like that.

The word limit:

500 words

The audience:

Middle grade readers

The topic:

MONSTERS

My reaction:

I don't do monsters. Sorry.

But then I went to bed with monsters on the brain.

I remembered being scared of the dark. The lights and shadows flickering through the bedroom I shared with my little sisters. How Second Sister and I used to terrify Small Sister with threats of the White Lady and the Thin Hand.

Somewhere in there I fell asleep. (To dream about monsters, probably.)

When I got up the next morning, a story bobbed before my eyes, even before my Southern Pecan latte appeared. I could hardly wait to start typing.

The word limit forced me to trim every extra monster talon and eyelash, with the help of amazing writer friends. (Thanks, guys!) Again, I realized I am too Dickens-like in my wordiness, so word limits are super healthy for me.

I submitted my story to Kids Book Review, and they chose to post it on their site this month.

Coming some Friday this month, to a website near you:

"Shadow Monsters"
by Vila Gingerich

Yay for story prompts and tight word counts!

And monsters.

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"Shadow Monsters" Goes Live

Shadow Monsters
by Vila Gingerich

Story Prompts -- Me? Write about Monsters?

"Shadow Monsters"
by Vila Gingerich

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"Shadow Monsters" Goes Live

Shadow Monstersby Vila Gingerich

Story Prompts -- Me? Write about Monsters?

"Shadow Monsters" by Vila Gingerich

Archives

Categories

Shadow Monsters
by Vila Gingerich

"Shadow Monsters"
by Vila Gingerich