Kick off the New Year with Story Ideas

by Sue Heavenrich

It's January, which means it's time to... StoryStorm!
What's StoryStorm, you ask? It's a month of brainstorming ideas. Any genre.
Ideas of all sizes welcome.
Big ideas that scribble across pages.
Tiny ideas that take up less than a line on an index card. Ideas sketched in pencil or a rainbow of crayon color.

In the past I've spent the month generating picture book ideas. Partly because that's how it all started - as PiBoIdMo (picture book idea month).

This year I'm trying something new: generating ideas for a novel that's been bumping around in my brain for the past year. Instead of 30 picture book ideas - why not 30 chapter ideas? Maybe take the characters out for a pizza party or pit them against each other in a snowball fight (followed by hot cocoa and graham crackers).

Tara Lazar is the fearless leader and person who came up with this brainchild of StoryStorm. Every year she creates a wonderful space on her blog, Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) for StoryStorm posts - an entire month of inspiration and insight from novelists, picture book writers, nonfiction writers, artists, and experts in creativity. And did I mention there are prizes?

It's great fun! But here's the catch: you've got to register now. Registration is open through Monday, January 7  here, where you'll also find a link to the Facebook discussion group. Then check in on Tara's blog every day for Storystorm posts (or be lazy like me and sign up for email links).

Grab a notebook! Sharpen your pencils! Sign up and ... StoryStorm away!

Writing about Lesser-Known Holidays: Lunar New Year by Tina Cho

January 28th marks Lunar New Year! I remember growing up in the Midwest of America hardly acknowledging that it was on the calendar. We might occasionally order Chinese food and that was the extent of our celebration. Now that I live in Asia, it's a three-day holiday in South Korea. It's one of the most important holidays of the year, sort of like a second Christmas. People give practical gifts of money, fruits, meat trays, or other foods. They might dress in traditional clothing, and most return to their hometowns for feasting and honoring relatives with deep bows. Children reap the most benefits, receiving hefty sums of money from relatives. Some play traditional games, but everyone enjoys relaxation from work and seeing old faces.

The New Year's bow: My children bowing in front of my father-in-law. Afterwards, he gives them money.

When I looked for books about Lunar New Year, I only found those about how the Chinese celebrate. I couldn't find any in our school library about the Korean celebration. My search on Pinterest found one.

I know Korean publishers have produced them, but I don't know of any others in English. (If you do, please tell me.) So my ears and eyes will be searching this weekend for fresh story ideas about this holiday. 

I did make something about Lunar New Year from Korean culture to use in my classroom. I put it in my little Teachers Pay Teachers store. I've already sold some. 

What about other lesser-known holidays told from your culture or background? Kids and adults would appreciate learning how a variety of people celebrate. It's important to keep traditions alive and pass to the next generation.

And for those of you needing ideas in your Idea Notebook (hint, hint Storystorm), I hope something here will help.

 Now go scour the calendar and find those holidays. How can you add your spin on it?

Happy Lunar New Year!

If you'd like more info on writing about culture, please see my other posts here and here.