Storybird #6: Tips for writing original stories

Storybird is my favourite free story writing application on the web. I use it with my classes all the time, and I love all its tips. This is a great post from the Storybird blog in 2015 on how to write original stories https://goo.gl/bJJSg4 -  I am going to add their ideas here, straight from the blog. Every time I get my classes to write stories I will show them this post.

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7 tips for writing original stories

"There’s that old saying that claims there are only seven plot lines in the whole world. 

"Below are 7 tips to use when you’re not sure where to begin.

"1. Look at the world around you, and ask “what if” about things we take for granted. What if the sky was red? What if your little brother was actually an alien? What if you found a million dollars?

2. Browse through the artwork on Storybird until a picture jumps out at you and makes you wonder, what’s happening here? Who are these people? Where are they, and how did they get there? What are they going to do next?

3. Start with a character who seems interesting to you. Maybe it is a character who has your same habits or fears or strengths and uses them in meaningful ways. Or maybe it is a character who is nothing like you, and that’s what makes them interesting to write about. How they would approach different situations?

4. Pick a genre, or type of storytelling. Do you like history? Then write about a time or place as it used to be. Do you like fantasy? Then start by thinking about how a world would work if it had different rules than ours, and fill it up with magic or supernatural creatures. Do you like romance? Then take two characters and put a lot of obstacles between them so the way they get together becomes a tale.

5. Ask your friends or family what they like to read, and write a story just for them! (Hint: this is a great Mother’s Day/Father’s Day gift idea.)

6. Solve a mystery. Which one of these characters is hiding a secret? Who is watching whom?

7. Remember those seven plots we mentioned at the beginning of this post? Use them to your advantage. Match a piece of artwork on Storybird with one of the storylines below, and take it for a spin!

- Overcoming the Monster
- Rags to Riches
- The Quest
- Voyage and Return
- Comedy
- Tragedy
- Rebirth"

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Some great ideas from Storybird! If you haven't joined your class to Storybird go to www.storybird.com  and do so today!

Storybird #5: December challenge: The Do-over

Storybird is my favourite, free, story writing application on the web www.storybird.com. I use it with my classes all the time, and I love all its tips. I have been adding some of the Storybird challenges to this blog, Storybird to the blog.  Here is the December challenge https://goo.gl/VdLzLP.
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December Challenge: The Do-over

"It’s hard to believe that we’ve almost reached the end of the year. And what a year it has been! We have read thousands of challenge entries and featured nearly 100 (!!!) writers here on the blog in our monthly roundups. But there is one more challenge left, so make it count!

This month, your challenge is to write a single-chapter longform story in response to this writing prompt:

It’s New Year’s Eve and you’ve been given the chance to do one thing over—to turn it all around. Choose wisely!

"With the upcoming holidays, we will be extending the entry period all the way to the end of the month, so you have until December 31st to enter your longform chapter into the challenge. We will post the featured stories in January. Good luck! We can’t wait to read your do-overs.

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Sounds like fun, doesn't it. If you would like to participate in this challenge head over to the Storybird blog https://goo.gl/VdLzLP 

Storybird #4: Types of writing formats to use with Storybird

Storybird is my favourite, free, story writing application on the web www.storybird.com. I use it with my classes all the time, and I love all its offerings. In this post I want to outline the types of formats you can use in Storybird.

1. Create picture books

Picture books are "multi-page books with high visual content and a low word count. As their name suggests, they're ideal for writers looking to make short visual stories and younger students who are flexing their storytelling chops. Readers will find picture books work beautifully on their tablets and laptops, but you'll have to squint a bit to read them on your phone." https://goo.gl/tUHYLR

Here is a video showing how to make a Picture Book.

2. Create longform books

Longform books are "multi-chapter stories with high word counts and not as many pictures. They're ideal for amateur and professional writers looking to engage readers through serialized chapters and mature students looking to master their narrative skills. For readers, longform stories can be easily be read on your phone and you're notified when new chapters are published." https://goo.gl/tUHYLR 

"Chapters are individual Longform 'books'. Once you finish writing them, you can join them together. 

• When the first chapter of a Longform book is published there is a link underneath to begin the next chapter, and this joins the books together automatically.
• If you haven't published the first chapter yet you can still write the next chapter and join them later.
• You can use a different artist for each chapter for the interior art, but they will all share the cover image of Chapter 1.
• When you're on your 'your stuff' screen you can join different chapters together into the same book. They will both need to be published before you can join them. 
• Find the second chapter of your longform book, and click on the gear icon just below the cover, and choose 'edit details'. Once you're on the edit details screen, choose the 'part of an existing book' option and then choose the 'first chapter' book from the list. Click on 'publish' at the bottom, and ta-da! - Chapter 2 has been added to your book." https://goo.gl/R9LTEz 

Here is a video showing how to make a Longform book:

So, if you want your class to write novelettes, Storybird's Longform format is the way to go.

3. Create poems

"Making poems on Storybird is super easy and fun.

• On the art page tap the "Use this Art..." button and select "For Poetry" and the artwork will load into the editor.
• In the editor, drag words onto the art page to create your poem. 
• Use the Refresh button in the bottom-right corner (or the top-right if you're using an iPhone) to refresh/change the words or the art.
• Use the Menu in the bottom-left corner to Publish your poem or leave the app (and discard the poem). Note that, unlike stories, you can't "Save and Close" and edit the poem later. 
• Poems appear on your profile and in your Subscribers' feeds immediately. And, if you add tags to them, they appear in tag collections too. "
  https://goo.gl/4gwssG 

If you haven't yet signed up any of your classes to Storybird, head over to www.storybird.com today and join. Your students will love this application.