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With the most widely-celebrated winter holidays quickly approaching, test your knowledge of the cultural history and traditions that started these festivities. For example, what does Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer have to do with Father Christmas? What are the key principles honored by lighting Kwanzaa candles?
The story of the oldest known wild bird in the world. At 62+, she hatched a new chick in February, 2013. Read her remarkable story. A biography in text and art.
Just got an e-newsletter from the North Pole and Santa passed along these writing tips from the Frosty the Snowman, posted for the young-at-heart who are writing novels this year.
Back by popular demand is my series on writing tips from popular Christmas figures. First published in 2007, they are updated here for your Christmas cheer.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’s top 5 Writing Tips
Image by Richard Clifford
Unique characters. Give characters a tag, a physical or emotional something that makes them stand out from the crowd. That red nose, in the context of a reindeer herd, is absolutely astoundnig.
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw him,
you would even say it glows.
Conflict. The conflict here is the usual playground teasing and bullying of someone who is different. It’s a classic theme because we can all identify with it on some level. Don’t’ be afraid of classic themes; just use them in unique ways.
Also, pile on the conflict. The other reindeer do three things to Rudolph, each an escalation: laugh, call him names, exclude him from games.
All of the other reindeer
used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poor Rudolph
join in any reindeer games.
Poor Rudolph. He must have felt All Alone: “I’m All Alone” from Monty Python’s Spamalot
Turning point. After the set up and the conflict, comes the turning point. The crisis here is that Santa must deliver the toys to the children around the world, but the weather isn’t cooperating.
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
The unusual characteristic becomes a blessing. Again, this is a cliched way of handling a conflict and crisis, but it still works. The very thing that sets the character apart, that makes him/her different and weak, is also the very thing that makes the hero able to save the day. Of course, this means we are matching up conflict and resolution, too. Santa also functions as a sort of mentor here, one who is able to recognize the unique qualities of Rudolph for what they are.
Santa came to say:
“Rudolph with your nose so bright,
won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”
Rejoice. It’s not just the climax here, but also the concept of a celebration of successfully completing a quest. Give characters a moment to celebrate. This often comes after a big battle, or a big effort to overcome something.
Then all the reindeer loved him
as they shouted out with glee,
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
you’ll go down in history!
And, of course, you must end with the famous cowboy Gene Autry, singing Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer in 1953. His original recording hit the top of the charts in 1950.
If you can’t see this video, click here.
Think the story is still a little slight for todays’ market? Here’s why.
My warm-up drawing for the day turned into a cookbook cover. I consider it a rough, mock-up. I could tweak, change and alter this thing forever, if I let myself.
…And now I think I need my own cookie fix… : )
0 Comments on Warm-Up: The Deer Can Bake Cookies! as of 12/12/2012 3:28:00 PM
For the seventh year, Fiction Notes offers writing tips from popular personalities of the season. Tomorrow, the Grinch joins the lineup, with Top 5 Writing Tips from the Grinch (link will work on Friday, Nov. 25).
Top Writing Tips from Rudolph, Santa, Frosty, Gingerbread Man, 12 Days of Christmas, and the 3 Kings
In appreciation for all you do for children’s literature, I am offering a free set of lesson plans for Winter Writing with Kids. Based on popular Christmas and winter children’s stories, kids will learn 34 skills of writing.
SANTA SLIMS DOWN - A CHRISTMAS FANTASY By Eleanor Tylbor
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
SANTA CLAUS – the jolly, old elf himself who ate one too many cookies MRS. CLAUS – Santa's faithful wife, who is worried about Santa’s cholestrol RUDOLPH AND THE REINDEER GANG
SCENE: SANTA'S WORKSHOP, TWO WEEKS BEFORE "THE" TRIP. SANTA IS CHECKING OVER HIS TOYS. THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR RUDOLPH, ACCOMPANIED BY DONNER AND BLITZEN BARGE IN
AT RISE: A MUCH MORE PLUMP THAN USUAL SANTA IS SITTING AT A TABLE FILLED WITH TOYS
SANTA This is an expected surprise, boys. To what do I owe this visit?
RUDOLPH (moving his antlers from side-to-side defiantly) We're here to give you a message, Santa
RUDOLPH It’s about food
SANTA (eating one after the other) You want one of these cookies? Why didn’t you say so? Plenty enough to go ‘round
RUDOLPH Santa, there's something we really gotta tell you…
DONNER - it's real important-like…
BLITZEN …major important
RUDOLPH (Turns around and addresses DONNER and BLITZEN)
Is there an echo, here? Did you not make me, Rudolph, the spokes-deer? Maybe one of youse wants’ta take over?
DONNER And…you do a great job, Rudy. Super
BLITZEN You our main reindeer, man!
RUDOLPH I mean, if one of youse guys can say it better…
DONNER No-no… You’re the best
RUDOLPH So lemme do the job! Cheez – everyone wants'ta be a star… Now where was I? See Santa, we're worried!
DONNER AND BLITZEN (together) Real worried!
RUDOLPH (whirling around) Hello? D'ya mind?
SANTA nibbles on a cookie while watching a train run around a track
SANTA Oh my-oh-my! I love watching the train speed around the track. Um… Worried? About what, boys? Now just look at this train go. The elves finished it this morning
RUDOLPH How can I say this nicely -
DONNER AND BLITZEN Just tell him! You gotta!
RUDOLPH (whirling around) One more word from either of youse…
DONNER/BLITZEN Sor-ree! We're just trying to help…
RUDOLPH Well don't! You elected me head of the North Pole Reindeer Union so lemme do the job!
SANTA What’s this all about, boys? Could somebody tell me?
RUDOLPH I'm tryin' Santa, I'm really tryin’ if only these two big mouths would let me
BLITZEN We promise we won't say another word, See? We’re zipping our mouths closed
DONNER Maybe one word - two at the most. Sorry…
RUDOLPH It's about your - um - well… Your shape
SANTA (laughing) My shape? I’m Santa! I’m supposed to look this way
RUDOLPH It's um - very round
SANTA (laughing) This is not news, Rudolph. Now if you'll excuse me…I’m very busy here…
RUDOLPH Much more than usual, Santa. Much… much… more
SANTA I’ve always looked like this. You know that!
Two years ago, I got an email from the North Pole! Wow! It had Santa’s Top 5 Writing Tips and the next day, I got an email with Rudolph’s Top 5 Writing Tips. I’m still in contact with the North Pole and this is the 2008 Writing Tips, this time courtesy of the classic carol, The 12 Days of Christmas. Enjoy!
Writing tips for this song are all about structure and language.
On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
Play with alliteration, the repetition of initial sounds such as the p in partridge and pear.
On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
This stanza is very important because it sets up the pattern: we now know that this is a cumulative story, a story that adds a line each time and repeats all the other lines. Some cumulative stories keep going and take off a line each time. Study other cumulative stories, then try writing one.
On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
Good writing is about communicating. This video shows how a different audience might interpret this story. Why do those sea turtles have wings? Five gold rings are onion rings? And why are those ten lords sky-diving? Word choice does matter. And always keep in mind your audience and their point of view.
On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
Parodies of this song are popular — as in this Geek’s version from TeacherTube. Study parodies and write one of your own.
On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
You gotta LOVE Miss Piggy singing 5 golden rings. When you do a long story, try to find places where the language can slow down the rhythm. Here, it also becomes a place where the singers can ham it up a bit. (Get it?)
On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
Variety within a pattern is established here. We’re still adding a line each time, but now the verb at the end becomes important. For longer pieces like this be sure to add variety to keep the interest.
On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
Numbers are often important to picturebooks, classic songs and our culture. For example, there are three little pigs and seven dwarves. Part of this fascination with numbers is cultural. In the Navajo culture, four is important: the four cardinal directions and the four sides of a hogan. Three and seven repetitions are generally in northern European stories. Nine is three-threes and twelve is four-threes (or three-fours). Watch for repetitions in stories and notice how many times something repeats. Try retelling stories with a different number of repeats and notice what it does for the story.
On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
Here’s the Straight No Chaser men’s accapella choir. By the time they get to the 8th day, things get very complicated — and wonderful. Don’t be afraid to play and have fun with language.
On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
Wikipedia has a great introduction to the history of this song. This article includes the lyrics, the music and links to parodies.
On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
And yet another parody, this one from a Science Class in Australia.
On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
Take a deep breath — and finish what you started. Don’t give up before you finish a writing project. See it through to the end.
On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!
And you just have to end with Burl Ive’s version with its lush illustrations.
To paraphrase Tolstoy, Boring families are all alike. Crazy families are crazy in their own way.
And everyone's family is crazy, but it takes a special author to make you, the reader he or she has never met, love their crazy family, laugh at the craziness, and kinda want to hang out with them.
David Sedaris has this special gift. Annie Choi has is in spades. Whether talking about her mother's battle the breast cancer, failing Korean school, or surviving the entire family on New Year's day, Choi will have you squirting milk out your nose with laughter. (Really, my coworkers, who tend to look at me oddly anyway, because, well, most people look at me oddly, were really staring as I laughed hysterically over this book over lunch this past week.)
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