Making sense of words, meaning, worlds, characters, and structures is what we do when we write. Whether fiction or nonfiction, we are called to research every element to enable the best reader-experience.
Author: Carrie Charley Brown
Carrie Charley Brown juggles ideas every day as a children’s writer, teacher, and blogger. She is the founder of the ReFoReMo Picture Book Challenge, or Reading for Research Month. You can learn more about Carrie’s writing journey, ReFoReMo, and many other amazing authors and resources, at www.carriecharleybrown.com.
Is Reading Part of Your Writing Diet?
Writing picture books is not easy. It is a concentrated, deep, and selective process which we consider an art.
Blog Mash-Up: ReFoReMo THINK QUICK
The free online education offered during Reading for Research Month (ReFoReMo) challenges writers to read picture books for writing research. Each weekday of March features
Shape Your Story, Part One: Summon the Primary Teacher in Yourself
The school year is upon us, folks! As some of us gear up to get our kids ready again, let’s sharpen our structure skills with
Priceless Perspectives
What one professional hails as genius, another may label as slight. I’m challenging you to gather perspectives.
Going the Distance
Have you ever felt like you’re writing in circles? Have you ever felt like you’re writing in circles? Have you ever felt like you’re writing
Cookin’ Up Traditions
A mentor text review of a picture book that encourages traditions! (And making yummy applesauce!)
Picture Book-Storybook Hybrid? YES, Please!
You say you love picture books, but you’re ready to venture into chapter books? Look no further! Princess Cora and the Crocodile, a picture book-storybook hybrid, just arrived and features the best of both worlds. The reader will not be disappointed by the Newbery/Caldecott winning pair of Laura Amy Schlitz and Brian Floca.
The Ones that Leave Impressions
Sometimes a book leaves an impression so deep that I internalize the emotions. It prompts me to find a new audience of eager children to
Charlie Brown Inspires a Character Study
While watching The Peanuts Movie the other day, I was reminded of how much I empathize with Charlie Brown. This kid has inner conversation going
1-2-3-4 Pressure!
Have you ever noticed how much more you get done when working with a deadline? With the pressure on, you must perform! Are you up
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring
When I look at our driveway, it’s clear that the neighborhood kids aren’t afraid to just draw. The only thing that wipes out their ideas
Coloring by the Numbers
As creatives, we color by numbers all the time without even realizing it. We want to know if ____ is working for others and if ____ is normal and if ____ has ever happened to our creative friends.
On a Mission to Read and Research: Writers and Teachers Alike
About this time last year, ReFoReMo rolled out the red carpet and welcomed over 400 interested picture book writers to join in a research mission:
Helping Hands
Does anyone else remember that Calgon slogan? For some reason, it stuck with me through childhood and continues to pop into my brain every time
Challenge Yourself to a Year in Picture Books
Writing allows me to turn my internal reflections into external expression at my own pace. That must be why I connect on a deeper level
