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Writing Activity: reward a likeable character, with “Doll Shop Magic” by Joanna Calogero, 13

by William Rubel

Published May 11, 2016

Introduction to this Stone Soup Writing Activity This writing activity is based on a story by 13-year-old Joanna Calogero published in Stone Soup Magazine's September/October 1992 issue, and also included in the Stone Soup Book...

How to Jump Start a Young Writer Who’s Running Into a Wall

by Erendira Ramirez-Ortega

Published March 22, 2016

I remember as a young writer in grammar school having to come up with my own ideas and topics to write about. In the 1980’s, this may have been a typical scenario, but as a...

The Making of an Author: Evelyn Chen

by Gerry Mandel

Published March 1, 2016

Most of the writers we publish in Stone Soup are published only once. This is not a bad thing. Even some very famous authors, like Margaret Mitchell (Gone with the Wind) and Harper Lee (To...

Some Thoughts on Historical Fiction

by Gerry Mandel

Published January 4, 2016

Can Boys Write About Girls, and Vice-Versa?

by Gerry Mandel

Published November 1, 2015

The standard advice for new writers — “Write what you know” — is good advice for all writers. When you write about what you know first hand, you have your own experiences to draw on....

Using Silence to Create a Mood

by Gerry Mandel

Published September 1, 2015

Every once in a while a story comes along that is unlike any other. Dancing Birds, the featured story from our September/October 2015 issue, is such a story. What makes it so special? Yes, the...

Taking a Stand Through Fiction

by Gerry Mandel

Published April 29, 2015

Let’s say you have a strong opinion about something you see happening in the world. You know it is wrong, and you want to speak out. The most direct way to make your point would...

It’s All in the Details (engaging the senses)

by Gerry Mandel

Published February 28, 2015

Celebrating the Melting Pot

by Gerry Mandel

Published December 23, 2014

The United States is made up of people who immigrated here from all over the world. Some came a long time ago, some more recently. All of us are Americans, who have “melted” together into...

Twists and Turns

by Gerry Mandel

Published August 31, 2014

What makes a story interesting? Yes, it could be fun to read a story about a girl who spends two enjoyable weeks at summer camp, plays some archery, makes a few friends, and then goes...

Writing Activity: reward a likeable character, with “Doll Shop Magic” by Joanna Calogero, 13

Post Published May 11, 2016 by William Rubel

How to Jump Start a Young Writer Who’s Running Into a Wall

Post Published March 22, 2016 by Erendira Ramirez-Ortega

I remember as a young writer in grammar school having to come up with my own ideas and topics to write about. In the 1980’s, this may have been a typical scenario, but as a homeschool mom, I am learning with my children that the ways of old, in this case, were not wise. Benjamin Franklin utilized the technique of imitation as a way to train himself to write.

The Making of an Author: Evelyn Chen

Post Published March 1, 2016 by Gerry Mandel

Most of the writers we publish in Stone Soup are published only once. This is not a bad thing. Even some very famous authors, like Margaret Mitchell (Gone with the Wind) and Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird), are known for the one great book they wrote. But over the years the pages of Stone Soup have also featured the work of young writers who sent us one great story after another.

Some Thoughts on Historical Fiction

Post Published January 4, 2016 by Gerry Mandel

We know from the letters we receive from prospective book reviewers that many of our readers enjoy historical fiction. That’s one reason we’re always on the lookout for good historical fiction to publish in Stone Soup. It’s fun to read stories set in the past. You might just find that it’s fun to try and write one. Where to begin?

Can Boys Write About Girls, and Vice-Versa?

Post Published November 1, 2015 by Gerry Mandel

The standard advice for new writers — “Write what you know” — is good advice for all writers. When you write about what you know first hand, you have your own experiences to draw on. You can fill in all those details from your own life to make your characters, their emotions, and the situations they find themselves in believable.

Using Silence to Create a Mood

Post Published September 1, 2015 by Gerry Mandel

Every once in a while a story comes along that is unlike any other. Dancing Birds, the featured story from our September/October 2015 issue, is such a story. What makes it so special? Yes, the characters and setting are exotic. A Welsh girl named Glas lives with her family in a French-speaking village in Quebec. Glas makes mechanical animals in her attic.

Taking a Stand Through Fiction

Post Published April 29, 2015 by Gerry Mandel

Let’s say you have a strong opinion about something you see happening in the world. You know it is wrong, and you want to speak out. The most direct way to make your point would be through a nonfiction article or essay. But you could also convey your message, perhaps even more powerfully, through fiction. In the May/June 2015 issue of Stone Soup, 12-year-old author Evelyn Chen did just that.

It’s All in the Details (engaging the senses)

Post Published February 28, 2015 by Gerry Mandel

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, we chose “Leprechaun Rain” as the featured story from our March/April 2015 issue. This is not a complex story. Emma lives with her parents and grandmother on a farm in Ireland. Some of the family’s sheep are missing in a storm, and Emma sets out to find them. When she does, everyone returns home safe and sound.

Celebrating the Melting Pot

Post Published December 23, 2014 by Gerry Mandel

The United States is made up of people who immigrated here from all over the world. Some came a long time ago, some more recently. All of us are Americans, who have “melted” together into one culture. But many of us have kept the traditions of our ancestors alive, especially when it comes to foods and holiday celebrations. And that’s what makes our culture so rich and interesting!

Twists and Turns

Post Published August 31, 2014 by Gerry Mandel

What makes a story interesting? Yes, it could be fun to read a story about a girl who spends two enjoyable weeks at summer camp, plays some archery, makes a few friends, and then goes home. But how much more interesting is it when those two weeks include a secret, two lies, a false accusation, a confession, and a mystery?

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