Alphabet Soup

What to Write About (Dee White)

Posted on December 3, 2012December 3, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

Yesterday we announced the Alphabet Soup Creativity Award—for outstanding work published in Alphabet Soup magazine in 2012. Today we welcome Dee White to share some ideas for what to write about, and to tell us about the prize she has donated for the winner in the Most Outstanding Story category.

Over to Dee!

A House Can Tell A Story

There are so many potential stories hidden inside your home.

You just have to use your imagination and look for them.

What if you opened a drawer and found a secret letter hidden there?

What if something in your house came to life and started chasing you or wanted to be your friend?

What if your house could talk and told you a story about the people who used to live there before you did?

What if your house got blown away like Dorothy’s in The Wizard of Oz and you ended up somewhere completely different?

What if there was a treasure chest hidden in your garden?

What if there was a secret compartment in the wall of your bedroom and it led to another world?

One of my favourite things to do when I can’t think what to write about is to look around a room in my house and pick an object. It could be a wall, a door, a light switch, anything.

Next I imagine what it would be like to be that object sitting there day after day. I think about what that object can see and do and how it might feel. Then I write a piece about it.

It’s fun to do this with a writing friend and see if they can guess which object in the room you are writing about.

This excerpt is from Dee’s new e-book, 10 Top Writing Tips For Kids: What to Write About.

Dee is donating a free copy of this book and one hour’s mentoring (a manuscript appraisal) to the winner of the Most Outstanding Story category of the 2012 Alphabet Soup Creativity Award.

THE MENTORING
Here’s how it works.

The winner will send a 500-word piece of writing to Dee. If it’s part of a longer story they’ll need to also send in a plot summary or information about what happens in the rest of the story. Dee will give tips on how to improve the piece of writing and the winner’s skills in general. She’ll also answer questions they might have about the piece or writing in general.

ABOUT 10 TOP WRITING TIPS FOR KIDS

Dee has written this series to encourage and inspire kids who love to write. 10 Top Writing Tips for Kids: What to Write About was released in November 2012.

Other books in the series coming in 2013 are:

10 Top Writing Tips For Kids – Heroes and Villains
10 Top Writing Tips For Kids – Want to Be a Writer?
10 Top Writing Tips For Kids – Make Your Writing Sparkle

More about the 10 Top Writing Tips books can be found at http://10topwritingtips.wordpress.com

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ABOUT DEE

Letters to Leonardo (cover) — Letters to Leonardo (Dee’s Young Adult book)

Dee White has worked as an advertising copywriter and journalist, but wanted to be an author from the time she was seven. Her first book for young adults, Letters to Leonardo, took more than ten years to research and write. Dee’s other titles include Hope for Hanna, A Duel of Words and Harry’s Goldfield Adventure.

Dee is passionate about encouraging young readers and writers, and her blogs Writing Classes for Kids and DeeScribe Writing are full of career and writing tips for students and new and emerging writers.

She runs writing workshops for primary and secondary students across Australia with sessions focusing on story ideas, plotting and character development. She also runs them online at Writing Classes for Kids.

She is honoured to be providing the prize for the inaugural Alphabet Soup Creativity Award, and hopes that it will help encourage young writers.

For more information on the 2012 Alphabet Soup Creativity Award, visit the Award page (there’s a tab at the top of this blog).

Excerpt from 10 Top Writing Tips for Kids: What to Write About © Dee White 2012.

info, poetry

Alphabet Soup Creativity Award

Posted on December 1, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

We love reading all the work you send us and we really love publishing it, too. Sometimes we’re blown away by the amazing stuff we find in our inbox and our post office box. And that’s why we are thrilled to be announcing the inaugural ALPHABET SOUP CREATIVITY AWARD.

Prizes will be awarded in three categories:

Most outstanding story

Most outstanding poem

Most outstanding artwork

If you are a child who had work published in the magazine this year, you are automatically in the running for this Award. (This excludes the winning pieces in the writing or design-a-cover-competitions).

The prizes:

Most outstanding story—the winner will receive $50.00*, an ebook by Dee White, and a manuscript appraisal (professional feedback) from Dee White on a 500-word story they have written (not necessarily the story that was published in Alphabet Soup).

Most outstanding poem—the winner will receive $50.00*, a book of poetry by Lorraine Marwood, and a poetry appraisal (professional feedback) from Lorraine Marwood on an unrhymed poem up to 15 lines written by the winner (not necessarily the poem that was published in Alphabet Soup).

Most outstanding artwork—the winner will receive $50.00*, a book by James Foley, and an illustration appraisal (professional feedback) from James Foley on a piece of artwork (not necessarily the artwork published in Alphabet Soup).

You’ll hear more about these people and the prizes this week, starting on Monday. And on Friday we’ll announce the winners here on the blog. (If you are a winner, we will also notify you personally.)

Read more about the award (including some fine print) on the Alphabet Soup Creativity Award page.

*$50.00 cash for each category is courtesy of The Book Chook. (Thank you!)

Book reviews by Celine, Book reviews by kids

Book Review – Blood Brothers

Posted on November 30, 2012January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Dragonkeeper: Blood Brothers by Carole Wilkinson, ISBN 978742031897, Walker Books Australia

Reviewed by Celine, 10, WA

Recently I devoured the most exquisite yet enchanting book, Blood Brothers. It is the fourth book in the series ‘Dragonkeeper’. It tells the story of a monk named Tao. He is the only monk in his family for one reason. He is accumulating good karma for his brother Wei. His brother Wei is unable to move his limbs or talk, but Wei has the powers of a dragonkeeper. When Tao and Wei hold hands, some of the powers are transferred to Tao, as Wei cannot use them. Tao can then talk to a dragon that was following him throughout his journey so far.

Kai the dragon is in search of a dragonkeeper. As Tao journeys on from his house, he comes face to face with some terrible bloodthirsty nomads. Will Tao escape? Can Wei survive?

I believe the title is very suitable for this story and you will understand it when you finish the book. Blood Brothers is very hard to put down. I experienced the feelings with the character as if I were in his shoes—sad, relieved, excited and worried.

This book is recommended for ages 9 and above. My favourite part was when Tao called Wei ‘Wei-Wei’. I would rate this book all the stars visible in the night sky.

Now I’m going back to read books 1, 2 and 3!

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* Celine is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. (Download information about the club on the magazine’s website.) A review copy of Blood Brothers was provided by Walker Books Australia.

Christmas

Author visit: Dimity Powell

Posted on November 29, 2012November 30, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

Today we welcome Dimity Powell—Dimity is a children’s author on a blog tour to celebrate the launch of her new and Christmassy chapter book, PS Who Stole Santa’s Mail?

Before we hear from Dimity, here’s a bit about the book:

When the post boxes of Bramblebury mysteriously begin to disappear, Sam has just weeks before the biggest day of Santa’s year to discover what’s happening to all the Christmas mail. And then his sister vanishes too. Will he be able to find his sister and save Christmas, along with Santa’s reputation, before the Delivery Book closes for the year?

What he needs is a Christmas miracle.

Can you describe your book in five words or fewer?
Presents, elves, mayhem—it’s Christmas!

How did you get your idea for the book?
The original manuscript was the result of an assignment for a Writing for Children Course back in 2008. The idea came from a newspaper article about how a local council was rumoured to take away post boxes on the Gold Coast, decreasing their numbers dramatically. I thought this would make a good light-hearted mystery novel based on the question ‘what if all the post boxes in a small boy’s town suddenly and inexplicably disappeared just two weeks before Christmas?’

Why do you write for children?
I delight in writing for children, especially those in the ‘golden age’ of independent reading. They believe in magic and that anything and everything is possible, while still being hard to convince. It’s challenging and rewarding.

Is your main character a bit like you?
Yes. He is a firm believer in Santa Claus, as am I (hand on heart). Apart from that, I’m not as good on a scooter as Sam and I don’t hang out in shopping plazas much.

How did you become a writer?
Like most people, I went to school first. My happy place was in the world of books and reading, and spending long hours penning stories about lost ponies. In English class, I loved composition exercises the most. And to this day have never forgiven my Year 8 English teacher for ‘losing’ a story which had taken me weeks to perfect—an anthropomorphic tale about ants. Even at the age of 12, I suspected foul play. I never got it back and am still wondering why …

What do you like best about the main character?
Sam is a likeable 8 year old whose main mission in life is to ask Santa for his first really big present, his own bike. I love Sam’s determination to track down the missing post boxes, and rescue his little sister and the missing Christmas mail. He shows grit and courage but would not succeed at times if it weren’t for his close bumbling friend, Tobii. I’d like to have a mate like Sam; not too overbearing, not too perfect, but steadfast.

Did you have to do any research for this book?
I confess, I have never actually made it to Lappland, current residence of Santa Claus, but I have been to his birth place in Turkey, if that counts. Santa’s Winterworld is based on documentaries, articles and pictures I have seen and read of his Lappland home.

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Check out the other stops on the blog tour:

17 Nov Kids Book Review

18 Nov My Little Bookcase

19 Nov Sheryl Gwyther

20 Nov Morris Publishing Australia

21 Nov Kathryn Apel

22 Nov Elaine Ouston

23 Nov Renee Taprell

24 Nov Alison Reynolds

25 Nov Buzz Words

26 Nov Christine Bell

27 Nov Dee White

28 Nov PIO

29 Nov Alphabet Soup [you’re here!]

30 Nov Angela Sunde

National Year of Reading

Book Review – Sword Girl: The Secret of the Swords

Posted on November 27, 2012November 27, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

Today we have 7-year-old Lucinda stopping by as our guest reviewer. Welcome, Lucinda!

Sword Girl: The Secret of the Swords by Frances Watts, ill. Gregory Rogers, ISBN 9781742377285, Allen & Unwin

Reviewed by Lucinda, 7, WA

The Secret of the Swords is a story with a lot of unexpected surprises. For example, lots of things talked. I really enjoyed it because it felt like I was in the story.

The book was about a little girl named Tommy who wanted to be a knight. My favourite character was Tommy because she liked knights and I do too. I really liked the ending because it has lots of action in it. Girls would like this book, but boys would too. People who are 7 or 8 would like this book. The part I didn’t like was the start because it had no action at all. I really liked the illustrations because the illustrations were full of action too!

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* Lucinda is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. (Download information about the club on the magazine’s website.) A review copy of Sword Girl: The Secret of the Swords was provided by Allen & Unwin.

National Year of Reading

Book Review – Ghost Club: The Haunted School

Posted on November 26, 2012November 26, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

Welcome to Sophie, who is a member of our Undercover Readers Club and our guest reviewer today!

Ghost Club: The Haunted School by Deborah Abela, ISBN 9781742750835, Random House Australia

Reviewed by Sophie, 10, WA

Ghost Club: The Haunted School is a ghost story where you never know what will come around the corner. This is one of the few stories that will get you down on your knees pleading for more. If you were to read this, you will come to accept that people make some big mistakes in life, some so big you can never make up for them.

I love this book. I might have read more complicated books, but this one is right up there on my list of fabulous books. It does not go on for so long that you find yourself asking mum if you can tidy up the whole house. I love this book because it has a ghostly theme, it explains the characters’ emotions and it gives you a real picture of what the characters look like.

This book does not have illustrations. It does not need them. It tells the story extremely well without them. I personally think that a book with illustrations spoils your imagination as you don’t give yourself a picture of what YOU think that particular character looks like.

I think that this wonderful book would suit both girls and boys. Ghosts are not just for boys!

This would suit anyone between ages 5 and 100! (I am 100 minus 90!)

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* Sophie is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. (Download information about the club on the magazine’s website.) A review copy of Ghost Club: The Haunted School was provided by Random House Australia.

authors, illustrator, National Year of Reading

Meet the author-illustrator: Mark Wilson

Posted on November 20, 2012November 20, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

In every issue of Alphabet Soup magazine, you’ll meet an Australian writer or illustrator. In the summer issue we talk to Mark Wilson who is an author AND an illustrator. It’s hard to fit the whole conversation in the magazine, so we’ve posted the whole interview here on the blog. Read on!

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Where do you live?

I live in Frankston with Ros, my wife and our two dogs—Toby and Couta. (Silky terrier and a Shitsu Cross.) We have 7 fish in our pond, and lots of native birds visit as well. We live near the beach where I go for long walks when I get the chance.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I have so many stories in my head! At the moment, I am obsessed with trying to save sea turtles and whales, and will be doing that forever. All are endangered thanks to plastic bags and coastal developments, amongst many other things. Also anything about Australian history inspires me. The explorers and pioneers were so brave and determined to do what they did!

An idea can come from a photograph, an article in a newspaper, or something someone said. I write everything down and then it might pop up as a part of a story

How did you come to be a writer and illustrator?

All I ever wanted to be was an artist, or a fighter pilot or an architect. I was terrible at maths, so the last two were out! I loved telling stories in pictures when I was little, and still do. Always loved just drawing things!

Was it easy to get your first book published?

It was very good luck! I had a weird collection of surrealistic black and white drawings and applied for an illustrator’s job on Pursuit Magazine in Melbourne. I got it—my first illustrations were pretty strange too!

Does the story influence your choice of materials?

Never. I use everything from a pencil to house paint, including derwents, ink sand, dirt, feathers etc. Lots of pencil drawing go straight into my books.

When you are creating your own books, which comes first—the artwork or the story text?

Usually the pictures, then I make up a story around them. Lately I have been writing stories first, which is strange for me. An idea can also come from a photograph, an article in a newspaper, or something someone said. I write everything down and then it might pop up as a part of a story.

When you are illustrating a book written by someone else, do you discuss the story and illustrations with them?

Always. I love to hear an author’s ideas and they often see things that I wouldn’t see. Gary Crew was great for illustration ideas, and Jackie French had some wonderful ideas for A Day to Remember, and I used them in the illustrations too!

Are you working on a book at the moment?

I am working on a book about the Vietnam War that is the 3^rd book in the Children in War Trilogy. (The other books in the series are My Mother’s Eyes and Angel of Kokoda). It will be out early next year. There is also a new Ben and Gracie’s Art Adventure book underway!

Do you have any advice for young writers and artists?

Write everything down. Keep a journal and make notes for your stories in it.

Observations, quotes, discussions, interesting things—write them all down.

Writing takes practise, so keep writing; stories, poems, song lyrics, anything and everything. Talk to your grandma and grandpa—discover the stories in your own family, there are so many!

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I love singing in my blues band, playing drums and reading books about the Romans, Vikings and history in general.

Is your writing influenced by any writers in particular?

The Australian Impressionist painters Frederick McCubbin and Arthur Streeton are my favoutites. I am also inspired by the French Impressionist Monet, and Australian Illustrators Robert Ingpen and Shaun Tan. You can tell I’m a bit of a melting pot, but the Australian Impressionists painters mainly. I particularly love children’s paintings. They use really fresh colours and simple shapes. I am trying to get back to doing that myself!

Check out Mark Wilson’s website to learn more about him and his books.

info, National Year of Reading

Summer 2012 issue – coming to your letter box this week!

Posted on November 19, 2012November 19, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

Here’s the cover of issue 17, featuring the artwork of 11-year-old Clarissa, winner of our 2012 Design-a-cover comp. Packing it into envelopes has really put us in a holiday mood!

What will you find inside this issue?

Q&A with author-illustrator Mark Wilson
a play by Susan Stephenson
poetry by Jackie Hosking and Kathryn Apel
a Lucky Dip of writing prompts from The Book Chook
6 pages of kids’ own work (stories, poems, book reviews & artwork)
word puzzles
kids’ writing comp
… and more!

Look out for your copy in the mail this week. (Or subscribe now – Alphabet Soup is the perfect Christmas gift for young writers and keen readers!)

competitions, poetry

Spring Writing Comp winners (2012)

Posted on November 19, 2012November 19, 2012 by Alphabet Soup

We read some outstanding poems in our spring writing competition and we’re thrilled to be sharing these winning poems with you. Congratulations to the three winners!

UNDER 7s WINNER—Leith Bradbury

THE FIGHTING CROWS

Hungry hungry black crow,
High up in a hollow tree,
Glides down to the bottom of the hill
And grabs worm from happy crow.
Happy crow is now angry,
Scratching and pecking,
Biting and tugging,
Screeching and chewing,
All day long.
Then angry crow has an idea.
He nips the worm in half and gobbles his half.
He gives the other half to black crow.
They become friends.

[Inspired by the painting Fighting Crows, by Shaun Tan]

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UNDER 9s WINNER—Veronica Hester

THE CROW FIGHT

In the Northern Suburbs,
On a light green field,
Two crows get in a fight.
Black bodies twist and twirl,
Feathers fly to the sky.
A crow falls to the ground.
No mercy for the wounded crow,
He dives and flies away,
Leaving the crow to cry his anger to the sky.
Another crow watches the scene inscrutably,
On a quiet afternoon in the Northern Suburbs.
Where the black billowing shapes of trees,
Shadowed from the sun,
Have the colour of the Fighting Crows.

[Inspired by the painting Fighting Crows, by Shaun Tan]

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UNDER 12s WINNER: Sophia O’Brien

[UNTITLED]

A Young Child

A street bathed in afternoon shadow.
The grass is yellow green.
Time is unchanging and he sees the whole world at once.
The clouds can be touched by the hand.
Trees are poles with clouds on top.

Ten Years Later

Same old street that never changes.
Grass and trees, houses and clouds.
He wants to go to more exciting places, see more exciting things.
He wants to see something more than that suburban street with its straight path and quiet houses.

[Inspired by the painting Footpath, Fifth Avenue, by Shaun Tan]

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Well done Leith, Veronica and Sophia!

If you’d like to enter our summer writing competition, keep an eye on the competitions page on our website. Good luck!

Duncraig Primary School, National Year of Reading

Book Review: Then by Morris Gleitzman

Posted on November 16, 2012January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

This week we are pleased to be featuring book reviews from students at Duncraig Primary School* in WA. Welcome to today’s guest reviewer, Zak.

Then by Morris Gleitzman, ISBN 9780670072781, Viking (Penguin Australia)

Reviewed by Zak, 10, WA

This type of historical fiction fascinates me. I love to learn about Nazi times.

A boy and a girl named Felix and Zelda have to get away from Nazis and they find a German woman, her name is Genia. She looks after Felix and Zelda who are Jewish and keeps them safe from the Nazis.

My favourite part of the book is when Felix goes into a Nazi camp with a boy named Dove he met through Genia, and together they blow up the Nazis.

I enjoyed this book because it draws you in from the start and it is about war and action and is awesomely cool. There is nothing I don’t like about it. This book would be suited for both boys and girls if they’re into war books and that sort of stuff. All of my friends read this book and said I should read it, so I did and now it’s my favourite book. There is more to the series—Once, Then, and Now. I have read Once and Then but I haven’t read Now yet. I can’t wait to start to read it. I would recommend this book for 9 years old and up.

This book was also an honour book in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards.

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* Duncraig Primary is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. (Download information about the club on the magazine’s website.) Zak reviewed his own copy of Then.

Author: Alphabet Soup