By Melissa Stoller
www.MelissaStoller.com
In many faith traditions, holiday lights abound this time of year. December is the perfect month to become inspired by the brightness of the season. Here are a few prompts to spark story ideas:
1. Sort through photos of childhood holidays and settle on your favorite light-filled images. Write a title to a story using these images.
2. Choose your favorite family holiday recipe that brings joy and light to your heart. Include the food in a new story, or write about the memories and emotions the recipe evokes.
3. Walk or drive around your neighborhood and view holiday light decorations, or look online for light-filled videos or images. Write a first line or last line, or develop a story plot based on your observations.
This month, light up story ideas! Let me know in the comments if these exercises helped. Happy writing!
www.MelissaStoller.com
In many faith traditions, holiday lights abound this time of year. December is the perfect month to become inspired by the brightness of the season. Here are a few prompts to spark story ideas:
1. Sort through photos of childhood holidays and settle on your favorite light-filled images. Write a title to a story using these images.
2. Choose your favorite family holiday recipe that brings joy and light to your heart. Include the food in a new story, or write about the memories and emotions the recipe evokes.
3. Walk or drive around your neighborhood and view holiday light decorations, or look online for light-filled videos or images. Write a first line or last line, or develop a story plot based on your observations.
This month, light up story ideas! Let me know in the comments if these exercises helped. Happy writing!
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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’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
