Story Ideas

Overview

This is probably the most important checkpoint you will do for the story project. Coming up with a winning story idea that is creative can be very challenging. From my past students, I would say that only 20% of the story projects have a good captivating story:

• Well developed plot
• Captivating characters
• Easy to understand the storyline
• Unique and captures your attention
• Good moral or lesson taught by the end
• You must be either the main or minor character in the story

Your story must be

creative, different, & surprising!

Directions

Create one completely different story idea for each of the numbers listed below (four) and following the guidelines below. Write one short rough paragraph for each story and include a bold title of the story and number (e.g. #1, #2). Post your story ideas to one posterous article. Be sure the story is short and does not cover too much content. It can be simple.

Be sure to keep in mind the country you have chosen. Remember we will be sending your stories to children in third-world countries (e.g. Indonesia, Thailand, China, Philippines, Malaysia). The story should be relevant to the culture of the kids. Your characters can be animals, people (hard to draw), food, objects, monsters, etc and they should be unique and show personality.

For example, if your story takes place on the Moon but it is for kids in China, be sure to include foods, animals, or objects that they are familiar with and can relate to, which are also on the Moon. Also, be sure to use familiar names of that country.

Avoid story ideas that have excessive blood/gore, sorcery/witchcraft, suggestive scenes, strong language, religious/culture degrading themes, and gender changes.

Read the Brainstorm Comment directions and email people in advance to let them know they will need to comment to ensure that they comment in time.

1. Start with a Problem
   1. My young daughter's favorite show is Yo Gabba Gabba because it is fun and she likes to dance. On the show they have story time and the plots are very well developed. Check out the video below, Bruce the Moose, to see how the writer started with a problem to develop a story.

1. Think of a problem that a character may have in their unique life and expand on it. Brainstorm for 60 seconds using bubbl.us or your CA ideas' book and create a wordweb of the problem (center bubble) and what could happen as a result (domino effect). Take a screenshot and attach it to your email to Posterous. Send the email when you are finished with the other ideas below.
2. Use this format example for the six stories:
3. #1 Start with a Problem: Description [bold] (e.g. Dipsy the bunny lost his tale)
4. Story Title (e.g. Trouble with Tale) [bold]
5. Short paragraph summary of the story
6. [insert photo below the summary]
1. Start with a Lesson
   1. In writing your children's story (any age under 12 is fine) you will be required to teach a moral lesson or application to a Bible verse at the end of the book, which is something to consider when writing your story. Find a Bible verse or verses on BibleGateway that portrays the lesson you want to communicate. Take a screenshot of the verse(s) and insert it. Write a short summary of the story.
   2. This video shows a good example of a well developed character that has a lot of personality while having a good lesson at the end.

1. a photo from the Internet of one you took of the object (story centered around an object: Lord of the Rings).
1. Start with a Character

1. Check out Uncle Squirly; this is a funny video! Humor is an important aspect to include in your story.

Now read the Brainstorm Comment directions and request people to comment to ensure that they comment in time according to the calendar