STORY SPROUTS: CBW-LA WRITING DAY EXERCISES & ANTHOLOGY 2013
- Paperback: 240 pages
- Publisher: CBW-LA Publications (October 18, 2013)
- Edited by: Alana Garrigues, Nutschell Anne Windsor
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0989878791
- ISBN-13: 978-0989878791
- Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
STORY SPROUTS 2013 ANTHOLOGY STATISTICS:
- 19 Authors
- 38 Combined Anthology Entries – 2 per Contributing Author
- 6-hour Workshop
- 10 Writing Exercises (included in Story Sprouts)
- Dozens of Photo, Character and Conflict Prompts (included in Story Sprouts)
- 240 pages
What is it about:
What happens when linguistic lovers and tale tellers workshop together? Inspiration. Wonder. Discovery. Growth. Magic.
Brave and talented, the writers featured in this anthology took on the challenge of dedicating one day to the raw and creative process of writing.
A rare view into the building blocks of composition, Story Sprouts is made up of nearly 40 works of poetry and prose from 19 published and aspiring children's book authors.
This compilation includes all of the anthology writing exercises and prompts, along with tips, techniques and free online writing resources to help writers improve their craft.
KINDLE & PRINT COPIES AVAILABLE THROUGH AMAZON:
LINKS:
Learn more about Story Sprouts at http://www.storysproutsanthology.com/
Find Nutschell at:
Blog: www.thewritingnut.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nutschell
Linked-In: www.linkedin.com/in/nawindsor
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/nutschell
Find Alana at:
Website: http://www.alanagarrigues.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlanaGarriguesWrites
Q. What inspires your writing?
N: I draw inspiration from the things I experience, the people I meet, the events I hear/read about on the news, the books I read, the movies I watch. Life is what inspires my writing.
A: I am primarily a journalist and creative non-fiction writer, so true stories. I am really interested in what drives people and how they connect, and I'm fascinated by cultural diversity and harmony. I also love to research, educate and inspire others to do what they love.
Q. What is your favorite thing about being a writer?
N: That I get to create worlds and make characters come alive. More than that, I love that my stories have the potential to touch a reader’s life.
A: Communicating with my subjects and packaging their story into something that moves a reader.
Q. What is the toughest part of being a writer?
N: Making time to improve the craft, making time to actually write. I’d like be writing or reading all the time but a 9-5 job, and other responsibilities often get in the way.
A: Time is definitely an issue! I don't even attempt to improve - I am so busy with writing for production! I think that it naturally improves over time with more production. I am a freelance writer, so that is my job, but I also have six-year-old twins, and I'm active in several non-profit organizations, so balancing it all is a challenge.
Q. If you could not be writer, what would you do/be?
N: I’d be sad if I couldn’t be a writer. I’d probably end up doing some other kind of creative work—photography maybe, or graphic design, or film. That or I’d be a software engineer, which I think is kinda cool.
A: I love anything that connects people - event planning, work in a museum or library, education. I've had a diverse array of jobs from managing a paint-your-own pottery studio and running a summer art camp to public relations to landscaping to HR, and I've honestly loved something about every position!
Q. What would the story of your life be entitled?
N: Hmm…That’s a tough one. I think it would be “The Girl Who Wouldn’t Stop Writing.” Lame, I know. But true.
A: Wow - that is a TOUGH question! Travel is big for me. Maybe "The Winding Road."
Q. What is your favorite book of all time?
N: Oh I have so many favorite books! But Harry Potter comes to mind most easily.
A: I revisit Winnie the Pooh often - I love A.A. Milne. As far as creative nonfiction goes, I really enjoyed Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore.
Q. Which character from ANY book are you most like?
N: I’d like to think I’m a bit like every character I’ve ever related to in the books I’ve read. If I have to be specific, I’d have to say Tris from Veronica Roth’s novel. Tris is Divergent, and I feel like I am, too.
A: I honestly haven't compared myself to a character in any book since I was very, very young, when I felt like I jumped back and forth between Elizabeth and Jessica in Sweet Valley Twins. Ha! I had forgotten about that.
Q. What character from all of your books are you most like?
N: I put a little bit of myself in all the characters I write, so it’s hard to say which one I’m most like.
A: I think that I put a little of myself into all of my stories, in that I channel other people's stories, but I have to find something in myself that relates so that I can tap into that and do justice to their story. Luckily, I find myself able to relate to pretty much everyone I meet in one way or another.
Q. Which book would you love to take a weekend vacation inside of?
N: Harry Potter, most definitely. I’d love to wander Hogwarts.
A: I love the worlds created by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, and I do want to vacation in Barcelona (though I don't recall which part of Spain his books take place), so something in his book, I imagine. Book stories in Spain sound nice, though his books are a little spooky!
Q. What is your favorite season?
N: Spring.
A: Ditto! Spring!
Q. What inspired your book cover(s)? Or what is your favorite book cover and why?
N: The tree in the book cover of STORY SPROUTS symbolizes the stories that have sprouted from the workshop which inspired the book, and also the growth of the writers featured in the anthology.
A: Yes, we wanted to show that this book was the beginning to stories that would eventually take root and blossom. The writers wrote these stories in six hours, but our hope is that the experience resonates and lives on in their future writing.
Q. Tell me something funny that happened while on a book tour or while promoting your book.
N: I can’t remember any funny event. Although I do remember my Mom asking me how my book “Bean Sprouts” was selling.
A: Nothing yet! Must mean we have a lot more promotion to do! Great question - I want to see what other authors have to say about this!
Q. Are you working on something new?
N: I’m currently rewriting a middle grade fantasy novel.
A: I am working on a creative nonfiction about a woman who founded a non-profit organization in West Africa. It's in the "humorous humanitarian" genre, as my subject calls it. Full of funny! And inspiration.
Q. Anything you want to say to followers of this blog or those that are just stopping by?
N: Thank you for dropping by and reading the interview! I hope life treats you all wonderfully.
A: We'd love to have any of you in the L.A. area visit us at a future workshop (cbwla.org) … and we also love to know how Story Sprouts touches you! If any of the exercises strike a chord or you discover a brand new voice among the authors, we want to know. We love feedback, and if you are an aspiring writer, we want to cheer you on!!
Thank you so much for hosting us, Emily!!!
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