This Writer's Life: Small Story, Big Problem

This Writer’s Life: Small Story, Big Problem

The latest episode of This Writer’s Life with Danielle Davis, author of Zinnia and the Bees, is called “Small Story, Big Problem”!

And that’s exactly what kids are invited to write: a story set in a small place they choose—like on a leaf or inside a clock, a desk drawer, a dollhouse, a Lego town, or a petri dish. Their small story will have small characters too, but the main character will have a BIG problem (conflict)!

Plus creative advice from picture book and middle-grade author, Traci Sorell!

Traci talks about the vulnerability and value of sharing your work with others in order to get feedback while staying true to what’s essential to you about your story.

There’s a free, printable PDF with the “Small Story, Big Problem” activity right here.

About This Writer’s Life

The goal of This Writer’s Life is to show young writers what writing looks like from the inside with honesty, tips, activities, and cheering-on in order to spark kids’ own writer’s lives: to develop their identities as writers, discover their individual writing process, and tap into their unique voice and imagination. Each episode also features someone from a creative field offering a piece of advice to inspire them!

Check out This Writer’s Life’s button shop with pins designed for kids to see and celebrate themselves as writers!

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About Danielle Davis

Danielle Davis grew up in Singapore and Hong Kong and now reads, writes, and roller skates in Los Angeles. She has an M.A. in literature and creative writing and a background teaching English to middle school and community college students. She’s author of the middle-grade novel, ZINNIA AND THE BEES, blogger at This Picture Book Life, and creator of This Writer’s Life, a video series for kids and their classrooms.