Sands Hetherington's Blog, page 5
March 8, 2018
Q&A with the Author: Part 2!
I’m back with the second part of my YouTube Q&A series! This week I’m answering questions for fellow writers, giving readers an idea of where the Night Buddies books are set, and more.
Check it out below!
And if you haven’t yet seen Part One, you can check it out here.
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March 1, 2018
Bring Creativity to Your Kids!
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Readers of this blog may know that I am an advocate for children using and expanding their imaginations, not only through reading, but through writing! Whether your child struggles with language arts or is reading four levels above his or her grade level, providing kids with a creative outlet such as writing has the opportunity to enrich their lives and their classroom performance.
But how do you get them started? One good idea is using this Scholastic website, which provides silly and fun writing prompts in a game-like form. But if you’re looking for a straightforward list to return to, here are 10 fun, whacky writing prompts they can try!
1. Your favorite animal just stood up and started talking to you—what conversation do the two of you have?
2. You get cast in a super hero movie…do you play the hero or the villain? Why?
3. Your dad just built a time travel machine! Will you go back in time, or forward? To what year, and why?
4. Write a list of 20 of your favorite things!
5. If you were invisible, what would be the first thing you do?
6. What is the best memory you have with your family? Write a story about it.
7. Invent a new food—describe in detail what it looks like, what it’s called, how it smells, and how it tastes.
8. Describe a time when you were really afraid.
9. Your favorite fictional character has come to life. Who is it, and what do the two of you do together?
10. Write a list of 5 things you love about your best friend. Then, use those things to write them a letter!
Do you, or your children, like to use writing prompts? Let me know what your favorites are in the comments!
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February 22, 2018
My First YouTube Video!: Author Q&A
Hi folks!
This week, I wanted to share with you the first video in my NEW YouTube video series! In today’s video, I answer some of the questions I’m asked most frequently, from how I came up with the Night Buddies book titles to the hardest part about writing my first book.
You can check out the video for yourself below!
Let me know what you think of this video series in the comments! And be sure to stay tuned to the end of the video for a sneak peek of Night Buddies and the Pineapple Cheesecake Scare.
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February 13, 2018
Cards for Your Book-Loving Valentine!
Is your Valentine someone who prefers books to television? Someone you have to pull away from the reading nook on your couch to take out to dinner? Give them a card this year that shows you really know them (and get a bonus if your Valentine’s Day gift includes a new book they’ll love)!
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Because Pride and Prejudice is the epitome of romance
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Show off your poetic side with a Shakespeare reference
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Or indulge in some Harry Potter love
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Then again, what’s better than a Poe pun?
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And, of course, a card that stands for the true testament of romance
How are you planning to spend Valentine’s Day this year? Let me know in the comments!
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February 8, 2018
Valentine’s Day Must-Reads!
Valentine’s Day is next week, and what better way to celebrate than by giving your child a new book! These children’s books represent all kinds of love out there—from the love you have for your family to first love.
Love Monster, by Rachel Bright
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This cute story tells the story of the Love Monster, who is just trying to find someone to love him for who he is. It’s a great story to teach kids the value of true love and not judging anyone by their appearance!
I Love You Stinky Face, by Lisa McCourt
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This book is about a little boy who asks his mother if she would love him, even if he turned into a super-stinky skunk. It’s a great tale about the unconditional love of parenthood, and a perfect way to let your little one know how loved she is on Valentine’s Day!
Everyone Says I Love You, illustrated by Beegee Tolpa
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This pop-up book teaches kids how to say “I love you” in different languages from around the world! Its beautiful, eye-catching design will be enough to draw you in—and exchanging “I love you”s with your child will make it an entirely worthy read.
Love is You and Me, by Monica Sheehan
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This book explains love in any and all of its forms, even between dog and mouse. It is one of my favorites, with a great story and cute illustrations that you and your child will be able to go back to again and again!
What are your favorite Valentine’s Day traditions? Let me know in the comments!
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February 1, 2018
How To Become A Bedtime Story Pro!
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Has your child ever asked you to tell them a story before bed, but they’re tired of hearing from the same books you read every week? It might just be time to get creative! Whether you’ve ever invented a story or not, these tips will help you become a storytelling pro.
Start with the characters. The main character can be anything or anyone your child identifies with. It can even be your child, just like how I included my son John in the Night Buddies books! Your kids will love hearing made-up scenarios that get their friends or pets into wacky situations, so be sure to fill the story with an entire cast of characters.
Pick a setting. Whether in outer space, your own neighborhood, or maybe even a far-off island, your story needs to happen somewhere. Are your characters trying to travel the world? Are they spending the day at the best amusement park in town? Ask your child what places they have in mind to get them involved!
Lead the characters into small, silly situations and conflicts. Are your characters explorers hunting for treasure? Are they detectives solving mysteries? Are your characters trying to lasso the moon? A good story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. The beginning says who the story is about, where, and when it happened; the middle says what happened; and the end is how the conflict is resolved. The more conflict you have, the more entertaining the story!
Have you ever made up your own bedtime story to tell your kids? Let me know how it went in the comments!
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January 25, 2018
So You Want To Revise Your Book?
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A lot of you reading this blog are writers yourselves, and we had a tribe of people tackle National Novel Writing Month this past November! I know how rewarding it is to type, “The End,” but finishing that first draft is far from the end of your book’s journey.
This year, the NaNoWriMo organization wants to see you not only finish your first draft, but actually revise, edit, and polish your books so that you are prepared to send them off into the world! But revising can sound a lot easier than it actually is. That’s why I’m giving you some of my best revision tips below to help you get started.
Read your book start to finish. You don’t know what you’re working with in its entirety unless you start the editing process by reading your book cover to cover. It might be painful, and you are going to want to edit along the way—I urge you to stay focused on reading. This is the best way to gauge if you need to work on big things like plot holes, without getting caught up in grammar or wonky sentences.
Make an outline. Outline your book the way you have it written, and then move that outline around or make additions and deletions to it when you start deciding on your next steps. Laying it all out on the table is the easiest way to make sure you’re not leaving anything out!
Dedicate your time to it. You might think revising should be easier than writing, and so things like daily word counts or daily hours might not need to be as demanding as they were in NaNoWriMo. I would argue, though, that revisions require even more time. Treat this part of the process as the most important piece, and you will see major results!
Get feedback someone you trust. Whether you hire an editor, recruit some old English major friends, or give it to someone you know loves to read, gaining outside feedback is extremely important to the editing process. We are too close to our own material to accurately decipher the problems with it, so getting an outside perspective will help you to understand the way your book is coming across to someone who doesn’t know it at all.
Did you write a novel during NaNoWriMo? Let me know what your revision process looks like in the comments!
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January 18, 2018
Book Recommendation Time! The Children’s Series You Need in 2018
If you’re a follower of children’s literature, you’ll no doubt have heard of author Kobi Yamada. His first two children’s picture books, What Do You Do With An Idea and What Do You Do With A Problem, both became New York Times bestsellers and have received unprecedented acclaim for both their uplifting storytelling and beautiful illustrations.
His third book, What Do You Do With A Chance, was just recently released, and will no doubt become his third success! Below you will find a short description and recommendation for each book , but trust me when I tell you…you NEED to add these books to your shelves in 2018.
What Do You Do With An Idea?
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“This is the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps to bring it into the world. As the child’s confidence grows, so does the idea itself. And then, one day, something amazing happens.” The first book in the series, this story caught my attention with the way its theme can touch anyone, of any age, despite being written for children. It is an inspirational tale for anyone who has felt the desire to take a risk for that one idea that just won’t leave them alone—no matter how difficult, scary, or problematic it may seem.
What Do You Do With A Problem?
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“This is the story of a persistent problem and the child who isn’t so sure what to make of it. The longer the problem is avoided, the bigger it seems to get. But when the child finally musters up the courage to face it, the problem turns out to be something quite different than it appeared.” I don’t know a single person who hasn’t faced some sort of problem in their life by ignoring it, hoping it would disappear. This story reminds us that our problems can turn into our greatest opportunities, as long as we work up the bravery to face them.
What Do You Do With An Idea?
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“In this story, a child is visited by his first chance and unsure what to do with it, he lets it go. Later on, when a new chance arrives he reaches for it, but this time he misses and falls. Embarrassed and afraid, he begins ignoring each new chance that comes by, even though he still wants to take them. Then one day he realizes that he doesn’t need to be brave all the time, just at the right time, to find out what amazing things can happen when he takes a chance.” The final book in th is incredible series, this one might just be my favorite. All I will say is that taking a chance might be the riskiest thing we do in our lives, and this story reminds me why it is so necessary we take them anyway.
Have you read any of the books in this series? Let me know what you think of them in the comments!
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January 11, 2018
How to Set Your 2018 Reading Goals
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Hi all, and happy New Year! I hope all of you had a wonderful time during the holiday season and are ready to take 2018 by storm. One of the things I always do at the start of the year is take time to remember all the amazing books I read in the previous year, and set goals for how many more I want to read in the coming one.
A lot of us make the resolution, “I want to read more,” to go along with your fitness, health, and work goals. But what does “more” actually mean? If you’re someone who wants to read as much as you possibly can in 2018, here are my tips for you to make it happen!
Find your free time. The top reason we don’t read as much as we want to is because we think we are too busy…but a lot of times, we have more free minutes and hours than we think. Write down all your hard obligations, like work, school drop-offs and pickups, meal times, exercise classes, etc. Then, figure out where you have free time. Do you have 10 minutes waiting in the car for your kids to get out of school? What about commutes to turn on an audiobook? Make sure you’re using those free hours to reach your reading goals instead of scroll through your Twitter feed.
Make a list. What are some books you absolutely know you want to read? Make a reading bucket list that gets you excited, and start checking them off one-by-one. This keeps you from getting distracted or procrastinating because you don’t know what you’re in the mood to read.
Utilize Goodreads. The Goodreads app and website allow you to set reading goals for yourself that you can easily track! Pick the number of books you hope to read in a year or a daily/weekly page goal, and make sure you update your progress!
Be realistic. Setting too lofty of goals sometimes has the opposite effect we want it too—instead of pushing us harder, it makes us more likely to give up entirely. Even if your friend is able to read two books a week, that doesn’t mean that goal is something that fits into your life. Remember, reading should be enjoyable and something you look forward to. If 10 minutes a day is all you have, savor those 10 minutes and know you’re on your way to reading your way through 2018!
Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions this year? Let me know what they are in the comments!
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December 23, 2017
The Spectacular Books Behind Your Favorite Holiday Films!
First off, I want to wish you all a happy holiday! With schools and offices shutting down for the season, I know a lot of us are getting into the holiday spirit by watching our favorite holiday-themed movies. But did you know how many of your favorite holiday classics actually were based on books? Here are some books to pick up for a read that you may find familiar!
A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens
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Most of us know the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim, but did you know that the story was based off a short novel written by Charles Dickens in 1843? It has been adapted again and again, but picking up the original story this holiday season is a great way to get into the holiday spirit!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss
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You pass by a grumpy man on the street, and what do you think? What a Grinch. The beloved cartoon that then became a live-action film featuring Jim Carrey actually started as a children’s book by the famous Dr. Seuss! This is a great bedtime story for your kids on Christmas Eve, and every bit as entertaining as watching either film adaptation.
Skipping Christmas, by John Grisham
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Have you seen ‘Christmas with the Kranks’ yet this year? Since its release a few years back, this is one I see always playing on my television when December comes around. But this heartwarming comedy actually was adapted by John Grisham’s novel from 2001, Skipping Christmas. Definitely a great book to laugh through the holiday season!
What are some of your favorite holiday movies and books? Let me know in the comments below!
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