How to generate children’s non-fiction titles that stand out from the crowd.

The children’s non-fiction genre is exploding with innovative content and creative book titles to hook young readers. Want to keep up with the competition? Read on! Now this is writing for children so before brainstorming flex those creative writing muscles, tickle your funny bone, break out the coloured pens and regress to your seven-year-old self.… Read More How to generate children’s non-fiction titles that stand out from the crowd.

February 18, 2021February 18, 2021 Kate PeridotLeave a comment

Evaluating Ideas after StoryStorm 2020

This is the third year I have completed Tara Lazarre’s StoryStorm Challenge to generate 30 new story ideas (one a day) in the month of January. Though Tara’s challenge is focused primarily on picture books, I use the month to generate ideas for board books, non-fiction, young fiction and even MG and the odd YA… Read More Evaluating Ideas after StoryStorm 2020

February 5, 2020February 5, 2020 Kate Peridot3 Comments

StoryStorm 2018: How did I do?

My StoryStorm month of idea generation. I’ve just finished StoryStorm, an annual challenge where participants pledge to write down a story idea a day for the month of January. There’s a daily blog post to inspire and lots of giveaways from mentors. I’ve always kept a notebook of ideas (on my iphone) and I’ve never… Read More StoryStorm 2018: How did I do?

January 31, 2018January 31, 2018 Kate PeridotLeave a comment

Six Reasons to Write a Story Map

Despite attending writing classes, which herald the benefits of properly planning a novel, I still dive straight in, ‘pantsing it,’ with only a broad three act overview and a couple of character portraits. Why? Because I’m enthused. I have the dramatic first few scenes in my head and I want to get them down on… Read More Six Reasons to Write a Story Map

December 10, 2016December 10, 2016 Kate PeridotLeave a comment

How to write fantastic descriptive passages

Part 1. Places We’ve had lots of conversations in my critique group lately about how to describe places and people. So I thought I would check out how children’s greatest and best authors tackle it, starting with place… Here’s an extract from… His Dark Materials, by Phillip Pullman. Directly ahead of the ship a mountain… Read More How to write fantastic descriptive passages

March 8, 2016 Kate PeridotLeave a comment

How to evoke emotion in your readers?

Karl Iglesias in Writing for Emotional Impact, states we can experience three different types of emotion when we read books or watch movies. Voyeuristic emotions relate to our curiosity about new information, new worlds and the relationship between characters. In this mindset we are interested onlookers but perhaps not fully emotionally engaged. Vicarious emotions are… Read More How to evoke emotion in your readers?

January 13, 2016July 16, 2020 Kate Peridot1 Comment

Discovering inspirational story locations

Troyes and Avignon – a story maker’s delight In another life, had I been brave and worldly enough in my twenties and a lot freer than I am now, I would have been a travel journalist and photographer. I love exploring extraordinary places steeped in culture and history, the colours, the smells, the faces and… Read More Discovering inspirational story locations

August 16, 2015July 16, 2020 Kate PeridotLeave a comment

Being creative with words. The picture book writers tool kit.

A picture book writer’s tool kit is awesome, it’s why I write picture books. Playing with these techniques is great fun. Remember, picture books are meant to be read out loud. So go to town – bold and wacky is good. But remember the audience. Keep the concept and structure simple. And short! Rhyme There is… Read More Being creative with words. The picture book writers tool kit.

January 15, 2015January 15, 2015 Kate Peridot3 Comments

How to develop a picture book idea – structure and layout

Part 1 – Structure and Layout Before we get creative let’s talk about structure and layout. Picture books are fairly formulaic. Most picture books have 32 pages of which around 24 pages make up the story. In theory up to 30 of the pages could be used for the story. There are also 24 page… Read More How to develop a picture book idea – structure and layout

December 17, 2014 Kate Peridot2 Comments

Feeling well and truly post conference SCBWI’ed!

So it’s Monday morning after the conference and my head is spinning with the volume of information I have scribbled in my notebook and the new contacts I have made this weekend. I am particularly excited about all the contacts. In the space of two days, I have found two fellow SCBWI members in my… Read More Feeling well and truly post conference SCBWI’ed!

November 3, 2014November 3, 2014 Kate Peridot1 Comment

Kate Peridot

Story Teller

Category: Writing Theory