Point of View

Who's telling your story? 

When we start writing a story, one decision we writers make is choosing a Point of View (POV). "View" means "seeing." Whose eyes will the reader see the story through?

Usually it's the main character: either 1st-person "I" POV or 3rd-person "he/she" POV. 

The POV might shift, but for beginning writers it's usually easier to pick one POV and stick with it.

Do you remember the rhyme, "Hey Diddle, Diddle?" We can use it for a fun POV exercise:

Hey Diddle, diddle.
The cat and the fiddle.
The cow jumped over the moon.
The little dog laughed
To see such sport
And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Try writing a story about "Hey Diddle, Diddle." 

What are our choices for a POV character? The cat, the fiddle, the cow, the moon, the little dog, the dish, or the spoon. (Yes, even objects like the moon, the dish, or the spoon can tell the story.)

After you write your story, try another POV character. And another. 

This is a great exercise for experimenting. How does your story change, depending on who is telling it? 

The Sounds of January

I just came back from a walk. There was so much to see, and as usual, it's easy to focus only on our sense of sight.

This time I tried to pay attention to sound. 

On my walk I heard

• a robin
• a leaf blower
• cars whooshing by
• a boat horn
• an airplane
• small brown birds hopping on some branches
• my shoes squeaking on the pavement
• a dog barking  

Before January is over, take a walk and listen. What sounds do you hear? Yours might include the hiss of snow or the brakes on a bus. 

When you're home, make a list of your sounds. Try to include at least one of them in a story you're working on.

When we include the 5 senses in our writing, we draw readers in. We invite them to experience our story in a new way. 

So be bold. Go for sound! 

Questions for Writers

Those who follow Yellow Pencils know that I usually write fiction. To me, making up stories is way high on my list of fun things to do.

But sometimes it's fun to write about ourselves. To be more specific: to ask ourselves "writer questions."

What are those? They're questions only we can answer.

When we write, we not only create a story, article, novel, or poem. We also learn more about ourselves. 

So get out a piece of paper, turn to a fresh page in your journal, or open a blank screen on your computer. 

Just for fun--to see what's inside your brain--try writing the answer to one or two questions below. 

Remember, there's no right or wrong answer. We're all different, and our answers will be different, too. They'll be as unique as our handprints. 

The only "right" answer is the one that comes from YOU, a unique and wonderful person on this planet.

• What is the best birthday present you could ever receive?

• What three words describe you right now?

• What color makes you feel happy, and why?

• What is the best advice you ever received?

• What would you do if you found a magic wand?

Did you learn something about yourself? Congratulations for taking some time to write about YOU! 

The Story of a Brave Seal

Happy New Year!

I'm starting the new year with something old.

I was doing some much-needed cleaning around the house, and I found my old stuffed seal from when I was growing up. 

I don't remember the seal's name, but I thought he deserves a story--and a new name.

How about Sebastian? Ferdinand? Bartholomew? I like Horatio. 

Can you help me write Horatio's story? 

Brave Horatio

Horatio was a brave seal, but he was afraid of one thing: ___________________________________________________.

One day, he was swimming near the docks when he saw… that scary thing! 

To escape, Horatio decided to _______________________________. 

But that was a bad idea, because ____________________________.

To make things worse, _____________________________________.

Now Horatio was terrified. 

Then he remembered he felt braver when he sang. So he sang his favorite song: _______________________________.

He sang and sang until _______________________________. 

And that's how Horatio became brave again, until the next day, when _________________________________________________.

The End 

Do you have a favorite stuffed animal? Try writing his or her story!