Childhood Books Worth a Second (or Third!) Read

By Sara E Thompto

I recently went on a childhood book reading marathon. I had the unfortunate experience of reading a rather awful series and needed to cleanse my “reading pallet” with books I knew were worth reading. What better way than going back to a time when reading meant lessons learned and perfectly put together storylines that just made sense?

After reading through a few of my favorite elementary and middle school reads, I realized just how much I appreciated these books growing up for their strong moral content and solid plot lines. They not only were a good read, but I feel they also added to my developement and in a way helped shape who I am today.

If you haven’t read these books yet (or read them to your kids, if you have kids) I strongly recommend taking an afternoon to read through these stories.

Ella Enchanted (Author: Gail Carson Levine)

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At birth Ella was given a fairy “gift,” the gift of obedience. But, it wasn’t a gift at all… it was a curse. No matter what the command Ella must follow it. Whether it simply is her mother telling her to take her medicine, or worse, having her take someone else’s life.

Through the trials and tribulation, readers follow Ella through her journey to rid herself of the curse once and for all… if it’s even possible.

One of the main motifs of Ella Enchanted is independance. Ella wants her independence of the curse, but even with the curse, she is a very independent person. In many ways, even though the curse makes her do whatever other’s ask of her, it has made her even more strong willed in her own way. I think this is an admirable personality trait for a young adult character and show’s younger kids the importance of thinking for themselves and standing on their own two feet.

Another quality of the storyline is Ella’s ability to care for others and her ability to see past her afflictions to see how her curse affects others as well. It’s a large portion of the book, caring for the well being of others, and I think this is an important less to be learned because too many times people can easily get wrapped up in how something affects them directly and not those around them.

Number the Stars (Author: Lowis Lowry)

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Number the Stars takes place during World War II, in the country of Denmark. A family helps hide a young Jewish girl until they can help carry her, along with her family, to a safe country, away from the Nazi’s who have invaded their home land.

Number the Stars was the first Holocaust story I remember hearing. Although it is fiction, it is still based on history. This book had a huge impact on me growing up; learning of such a huge injustice for others is a strong feeling to remember. The story explains events of that time period in a simple enough way for children to grasp a tiny bit of the horror of it, where they can learn about history but not be overwhelmed, yet, by the massive tragic events that happened.

Another main point that makes this book worthwhile is the friendship portrayed in this short paperback. Simply put, the friendship is beautiful, and I think this type of relationship is important for kids to learn about. It’s important to stand up for what you believe in and if you get to help someone out of it, than that is all the better.

Bridge to Terabithia (Author: Katherine Paterson)

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A pre-teen boy, Jesse, is a little bit of a misfit. He’s the youngest in his family, not to mention the only boy. His dad is a farmer, while Jesse prefers the arts, which he hides. He’s not the most popular person either.

But then he meets his new neighbor, Leslie, and suddenly he has found his place. Leslie is also artistic and has an imagination, which draws Jesse into her world. Together they create their own kingdom, where they can dream and play as much as they want, and be themselves. Their friendship offers news ideas, new thoughts, and a sense of belonging Jesse hadn’t felt before.

When tragedy strikes, we learn a whole new side of Jesse full of grief and heartache, and, with a lump in their throat, readers watch him learn a whole new set of lessons. Lessons they wish he didn’t have to learn.

Bridge to Terabithia is hands down the most influential childhood book I read. As someone who’s always been a bit weird, loves the arts, and has an imagination that runs wild, this book always hit home in some ways.

I would say the number one greatest lesson this book offers is acceptance. Acceptance of others differences, acceptance of yourself, and acceptance of loss. It’s one of those stories that shows you a bully is not just a bully, and an off-beat art kid is not just an off-beat art kid.

This book also touches on grief, which may be hard for kids to understand. But it’s important to know it is something you may have to deal with someday, but that doesn’t mean your world ends too. You grieve, and then you have to move on, at some point.

Series 4, Post 2: Writer's Block: What I Do To Unblock My Mind

     This post is supposed to be about writer's block. Ironically enough, I'm not sure what to write about writer's block.
     I'm the girl who stopped working on the writing of her novel for over a year, or maybe two, because I had no idea how to end it. I am not one to give advice on writer's block. But I guess I'll give it a try.
     I'd say first of all, talk it out. Talk out your struggles with someone you trust. That's how I ended up rewriting my entire novel from a different point of view. And finally writing the ending. It also helped that others were motivating me to finish it because they were so excited to read it.
     Another thing I personally do when trying to unblock my mind is to write a bunch of crap, just for the sake of writing something. I've written some pretty ridiculous short stories because the idea sounded good but the execution was sub-par.
     But, I still wrote. I say just write out what crap you have. You might get something good or possibly it might be an awful piece. But years later you might be able to go back and make a masterpiece out of it.
     I have a second book I've very slowly been working on (at literally a snail's pace) and I'm pretty stuck on the whole essence of the story, so I've basically written random parts of it that are at different parts of the story, just to get something down on paper. I still have nothing concrete as far as a plot line but if I can form parts as an idea comes to me, even if it isn't in order, maybe I'll end up with a masterpiece.
     Basically, my advice is to write even if what you are writing is just awful and makes no sense. Sometimes crap becomes a best seller.

 write whatever comes to mind.

Series 4, Post 1: 10 Tips to Clear the Mind and Help Writer’s Block

By Sara Thompto

There’s nothing worse than forced writing. Yet, when it comes to writer’s block, sometimes writers just want to keep trying to push forward, when all they really need to do is take a step back.

Writer’s block is a difficult mental block to work through. For me, it’s almost physically painful. Just the thought of writers block has my chest tight, my mind racing, and has me holding my pen a little too tight (I sometimes hand-write my blogs before typing them - it’s just part of my process).

But, over the years, I’ve developed ways to beat writer's block for myself, or at least limit it. So, here are 10 tips from me, to you:

Household Chores

Instead of trying to write (which in turn just causes bad writing), use your time for something more worthwhile until the writing comes more naturally. Get up and stretch. Do the dishes. Scrub the toilet. Organize that “black hole” drawer or closet you’ve been meaning to organize for a while now. Chances are, anything that makes you focus on something else for a while will help you focus more on your writing later.

Read

Grab a book you’ve read before. Pull up your favorite news website and catch up on what's going on around the world. Indulge by grabbing that trashy tabloid magazine and flipping through the pages. Sometimes other people's work can strike a cord and give your own thoughts some new life.

Take a Shower (or Bath)

Let the water run over you and focus on good thoughts. One of the best places for inspiration can be in the bathroom. Let the water flow and hopefully your thoughts will too.

Take a Nap

Or at least trick your mind into thinking you’re going to. Lay down on your bed or couch (or floor for that matter) and let yourself start to drift. Right before bed, when your mind is clearing itself from the day, some of your best ideas can happen. Usually at night this can be frustrating because , really… you just want to sleep. But recreating this action during a time you aren’t actually intending to sleep, can help bring forth those relaxing, mind clearing capabilities and allow ideas to flood your mind.

Write Something Else

Blog, journal, write a short story... maybe even just skip the section of the piece you’re stuck on and move on to a part you can see and develop more clearly. Everyone feels better and can think more clearly when they’re proud of what they’re doing. Sometimes accomplishing something else can clear the mental clog.

Get New Surroundings

Go to a coffee shop, the library, a park… or maybe just the next room over. Sometimes simply a new view can focus the mind and stir those creative juices.

Look at What Inspires You

Art work. Photos from your childhood. Images of places you aspire to travel to someday. Sometimes just looking at a photo or google image search can inspires us to think and become passionate, snapping us out of an awful writing funk.

Write to a Playlist

Music is one of the best tools to use to keep writing. One song can bring you back to a moment in time and bring forth every emotion felt. And those emotions can really enhance your writing! Take some time to make a playlist with the same tone as your trying to convey with your writing, and see if the ideas come a little easier.

Exercise

Dance. Walk the dog. Go to the gym. Have sex. Whatever exercise works for you - do it! Get your metabolism going and your endorphins raised! Your mind will be a little more light and your thoughts a little more free.

Learn Something New

Maybe that writer’s block is in place because you’re writing about something you haven’t experienced yet? Keep a list of things you want to learn about and start in on that list whenever you start to get stuck. Practice a new language. Work on crocheting a new pattern. Learn what all the positions on a football team actually are and what they do. The theory (and hope) is new experiences will cause new thoughts.

Writer’s block can be tricky and it can be frustrating. The important thing to remember is not to try and rush your writing. Bad writing can be just as worthless as no writing. So the next time you have writer’s block, step back from writing, and try one of the suggestions above.

Oh, and as a last tip: Make sure you always carry a small notepad with you wherever you go. Just as easy as writer’s block forms, it can end. The only thing worse than writer’s block is having a great idea lost because you had no where to jot it down.

If you have any tips or tools to rid writer’s block, please share your methods in the comments below! We’re always looking for new ways to clear the mind and let our writing flow.

Extra Special Updates!

By Kristin Bivens & Sara Thompto

You may have been wondering where Shiny Happy People Publishing has been the last two weeks. No blog, no word, no witty dialogue. Well, for the first time in two years, your favorite Shiny Happy People were together!

Sara lives in California, Kristin lives in Michigan; so when Sara took a plane all the way to Chicago and then a train to Michigan, all of the creative juices and all of the hard work over the past few months, came together.

After a quick lunch in the downtown Nilly (Kristin’s hometown), all of the postcard designs we currently have printed were sprawled out all over the futon. 

The prize packages for the Indie Gogo campaign were carefully picked out, neatly packaged and put in the mail! If you were expecting a prize, be sure to keep an eye out for it! Also, be sure to leave some feedback about your thoughts on the products.

Shops were visited both in Michigan and downtown Chicago. Owners were talked to and now it is all about the follow up and the wait to see what happens next!

If you know a shop in your hometown or favorite city that would be perfect for SHPP products, please drop a line with the name and town; we’re always looking for new opportunities!