By Melissa Stoller
This August, take some time to observe the animal world around you. Try these exercises to find and include ideas about animals in your stories:
This August, take some time to observe the animal world around you. Try these exercises to find and include ideas about animals in your stories:
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1. Do you have a pet dog, cat, bird, bunny, horse, or fish, for example? Or can you observe a friend’s pet? Notice details like size, skin texture, sound, behavior, pet name, pet food, and more. Use some of these details in a title or first line.
2. Research an animal that interests you. Choose either a pet animal or an animal found in the wild. What makes that animal unique? What interesting behaviors or habits does that animal exhibit? Also, perhaps research people who have interacted with the animal you chose. Write a story about the animal or person.
3. If you could create an animal of your own, perhaps mixing together parts from many animals, what would you create? Write a story incorporating that creature.
4. Is there a mythical creature such as a centaur, a werewolf, or a griffin that you find fascinating? Do some research and write a story using the characteristics of that creature.
5. Glance out your window. Write a story about the first creature you see outside.
This month, let the animal kingdom guide your creative ideas. Let me know in the comments if these exercises helped. Happy writing!
2. Research an animal that interests you. Choose either a pet animal or an animal found in the wild. What makes that animal unique? What interesting behaviors or habits does that animal exhibit? Also, perhaps research people who have interacted with the animal you chose. Write a story about the animal or person.
3. If you could create an animal of your own, perhaps mixing together parts from many animals, what would you create? Write a story incorporating that creature.
4. Is there a mythical creature such as a centaur, a werewolf, or a griffin that you find fascinating? Do some research and write a story using the characteristics of that creature.
5. Glance out your window. Write a story about the first creature you see outside.
This month, let the animal kingdom guide your creative ideas. Let me know in the comments if these exercises helped. Happy writing!
MELISSA’S BIO:
Melissa Stoller writes to bring connection, joy, and a bit of magic to her readers. Her newest picture book, Hazel and Mabel, illustrated by Anita Bagdi, releases from Gnome Road Publishing in Fall 2025. Melissa is also the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Return to Coney Island, and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written). Melissa is a Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Rate Your Story Judge, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, a Book Meshuggenahs member, a Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Trustee, and a past school and Synagogue Trustee. She also interviews authors and offers resources on her blog. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer/editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and Central Park walks.
CONNECT WITH MELISSA:
https://www.MelissaStoller.com
https://www.MelissaStoller.com/blog
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller
www.twitter.com/melissastoller
www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller
www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller
Melissa Stoller writes to bring connection, joy, and a bit of magic to her readers. Her newest picture book, Hazel and Mabel, illustrated by Anita Bagdi, releases from Gnome Road Publishing in Fall 2025. Melissa is also the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Return to Coney Island, and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush; Ready, Set, GOrilla!; Sadie’s Shabbat Stories; Planting Friendship: Peace, Salaam, Shalom; and Building Bridges: Peace, Salaam, Shalom (co-written). Melissa is a Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Rate Your Story Judge, a volunteer with SCBWI/MetroNY, a Book Meshuggenahs member, a Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Trustee, and a past school and Synagogue Trustee. She also interviews authors and offers resources on her blog. In other chapters of her life, Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer/editor, and early childhood educator. She lives in New York City with her family, and enjoys theatre, museums, and Central Park walks.
CONNECT WITH MELISSA:
https://www.MelissaStoller.com
https://www.MelissaStoller.com/blog
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller
www.twitter.com/melissastoller
www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller
www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller
