Let's go SAILING!

Photo by: Curt Smith

Greetings Creative Writers,

So far, in Kensuke’s Kingdom, we have learned a lot about sailing, but let’s take this knowledge a few steps further.

Michael and his parents go “blue water sailing.” This means that they sail so far out into the ocean that no land is in sight. They spend several days on their yacht – a 42 foot Bowman.

Take a look at this video to see a newer model of the kind of yacht that Michael’s dad bought. 

Could you live on a yacht like that? It looks quite comfortable to me.

By the way, this is a great time to note the differences between the terms “yacht” and “boat”. As I understand it, a yacht is a luxurious watercraft that is usually longer than 30 feet. “Luxurious” would mean that the watercraft is very comfortable and enjoyable.

A boat is usually less than 30 feet long. However, if it is luxurious, it could also be considered a yacht.

A yacht could also be called a ship. A ship is a watercraft that is over 197 feet long. And as you can see, the term “watercraft” applies to them all (wink).

All sailboats have the same basic anatomy or parts. Let’s learn these parts by taking an animated tour of a cartoon sailboat. 

Now that you’ve learned some basic terminology of sailing, maybe you can use this new knowledge in a story. Here is your Creative Writing Challenge…

CREATIVE WRITING CHALLENGE

Can you write a sailing story through the perspective of an unlikely character? For example, imagine if Kensuke’s Kingdom was told through the perspective of Stella Artois instead of Michael. That would certainly change the book, wouldn’t it?

Here’s an idea: What if your story is told through the perspective of a mermaid or a shark that is following a sailboat. What does this mermaid or shark want? Why is the mermaid or shark following this sailboat?

Now, that sounds like a story I’d like to read!

Remember… the possibilities are endless. With your imagination, we can go anywhere. I can’t wait to see where you take us. So, pick up a pen and let’s begin.

Happy Writing,

Professor Watermelon

Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo

Greetings Creative Writers!

I’d like to introduce you to Michael Morpurgo and his book, Kensuke’s Kingdom.  This book is a fascinating tale told through the perspective of a young English lad (also named Michael) who embarks on a sail boat journey around the world with his parents and beloved dog, Stella Artois.

Unfortunately, Michael and Stella are tossed overboard and find themselves on a deserted island full of gibbons, orangutans and one other human being - Kensuke.

Together, let’s read Kensuke’s Kingdom and uncover the MUSES and storytelling devises that Mr. Morpurgo used to write this beautifully woven tale of survival and friendship.

But first, let’s meet Mr. Morpurgo himself. I believe he has some writing advice for us. 

Happy Writing,

Professor Watermelon

Weekly MUSE: Nutcrackers

The Holidays are here, and the decorations are displayed. Store shelves are stocked with candy canes, snow globes and make-your-own gingerbread houses. Christmas trees are wrapped in twinkly lights, and the candles on the menorah are just waiting to be lit.

But every now and then, I feel as if something is watching me, and it’s not Santa Claus.

Nutcrackers! 

Sometimes they are teeny tiny, and sometimes they are almost as tall as me. Do you know what I mean?

And this leads me to our Weekly Muse.

What are nutcrackers? And how did they become so popular around the holidays?

Well, I found some great information from the Nutcracker Museum in Leavenworth, Washington. This town is just a few hours from Seattle, across the Cascade Mountains. Here is the website.

Nuts have been a part of the human diet since, like, forever. And since some nuts are hard to crack, we’ve found some efficient ways of cracking them without cracking our teeth.

The earliest nutcrackers were simple stones with small pits to hold the nut in place. Later, nutcrackers were made of tough metals like bronze and iron.

It wasn’t until the 15^th and 16^th centuries that woodcarvers made nutcrackers that looked like people and animals. And by 1872, Wilhelm Fuchtner of Germany began the mass production of the toy soldier nutcrackers we know today.

These toy soldier nutcrackers became even more popular when Russian composer, Pyotr Tchaikovsky wrote the ballet, “The Nutcracker”, which was first performed in St. Petersburg in 1892.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 1840-1893

But let’s not forget the writer who started it all. If it were not for Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffman, Tchaikovsky wouldn’t have had a story to incorporate with his music. And maybe Fuchtner wouldn’t have mass produced his toy soldier nutcrackers, either.  

Yes, E.T.A. Hoffman (arent’ we glad he went by his initials) wrote a story called “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” which was the inspiration behind the ballet.

E.T.A. Hoffman 1776-1822

That’s a mouthful of names, isn’t it? Let me make break it down for you…

1. E.T.A Hoffman wrote the story, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” in 1816.

2. Wilhelm Fuchtner mass produced the toy soldier nutcrackers in 1872.

3. Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker” was first performed in 1892.

And since this popular ballet is still performed all over the globe, the toy soldier nutcrackers are still seen today around the holidays.

Take a look at this video, which shows some scenes of the ballet. Make sure you look at the magnificent sets and costumes designed by famous children’s book writer and illustrator, Maurice Sendak.

If you would like to read a full summary of the nutcracker story, here is a link.

Also, take a look at this video of a mass production of toy soldier nutcrackers today.

Wasn’t that neat?

With this new knowledge, what kind of story could you write? You can start by writing some “what if” questions. Here are few of mine. Feel free to use them.

WHAT IF your main character found a nutcracker buried in the snow after a blizzard? Who does it belong to? How did it get there?

WHAT IF your main character heard a knock at the door and found a nutcracker on the doorstep? What does this nutcracker want?

WHAT IF your main character is a nutcracker with a BIG idea? What is this nutcracker up to, and how will this cracker hatch his/her plan?

If you need more inspirations, here is a creative writing challenge:

Think of an extraordinary setting, like a castle, a cave or maybe even a different planet. Now, add a nutcracker character. How does this nutcracker fit into this setting? Is he/she the king or queen of the castle? Has a mysterious character hidden a nutcracker inside a cave? Why? Have aliens taken a nutcracker back to their home planet? Whatever the situation may be, what happens next?

The possibilities are endless!

So, grab a pencil and a piece of paper, and let’s begin. With your imagination, we can go anywhere. I look forward to seeing where you take us.

With Imagination,

Professor Watermelon

Weekly MUSE: The Empire State Building

This month we are going to take a little trip to a city that has captivated the minds of billions. Some believe it is truly the Center of the Universe. They call it the Big Apple or the City that Never Sleeps!

It is home to America’s beloved Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING!

What city is this? You’ve got it!

New York, New York!

Okay, Frank, take it from here!

That was Frank Sinatra – one of the world’s most famous singers, singing one of the world’s most famous songs about the world’s most famous city – New York.

Did you see the building shaped like a pencil? Yep, that’s the Empire State Building? When it opened in May of 1931, it was the tallest building in the world. Let’s take a closer look at this incredible structure. In fact, let’s make it this week’s MUSE!

The 1930’s was a difficult time here in the United States. Millions of Americans were without jobs. This meant they had no money for shelter or food.

At this time, New York City was home to hundreds of thousands of immigrants who had left their homelands to grab a piece of the American Dream. Sadly, they were met with poverty and despair on this side of the ocean too.

A few rich men decided to give New York and the rest of the United States a beacon of hope – a sign of better days to come. How? They would erect the largest building in the world and employ hundreds of immigrant workers to construct it.

Al Smith

Al Smith, who had once been the governor of New York, was placed in charge of the construction project. He hired William F. Lamb to design the building with one question in mind, “How big can you build it so it won’t fall down?”

Ground was broken on March 17^, 1930 – St Patrick’s Day. The construction took a little over a year and the Empire State Building opened on May Day of 1931. Al Smith’s grandchildren cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Take a look at the video below to find out all kinds of interesting facts about the Empire State Building.

And did you know that Indiana has an important connection to the Empire State Building. The 30 million pounds of limestone that it took to erect this famous building ALL came from a quarry near Bedford, Indiana. A gigantic hole was left behind after all of this stone was taken. Can you guess what this hole is called?

The Empire Hole!

Empire Hole 

New York got the building, and Indiana got the hole. HAHA!

Now that the Empire State Building was open for business, it was nearly impossible to rent out all the space inside. Remember, the 1930’s was NOT a good time for business, especially small business in the United States.

Once again, Al Smith went to work trying to fill the building with renters. He traveled all over the United States trying to lure companies to move to the Empire State Building. But it just didn’t happen.

Until…

Hollywood saved the day in 1933! The Empire State Building was the setting for the climactic scene of KING KONG! Take a look.

This movie made the Empire State Building the most famous building in the world. And the fame brought renters too. Ta-da!

Before you take all this new knowledge and weave your own creative story with it, I have one more interesting fact to tell you.

The Empire State Building would not have been built without the help of the Native American tribe known as the Mohawk Tribe. Groups of men from this tribe were conditioned to have no fear of heights. They would walk the beams of steel with agility and speed without fearing a fall that would mean certain death. Many of New York’s skyscrapers were built with the help of these men.

Mohawk Ironworkers

With this new knowledge, what kind of story could you write? Maybe these what if questions will help you get started.

WHAT IF the Empire State Building was the setting of your story? What if you told the story through an unlikely perspective? A bird? A mouse?

WHAT IF your main character had was a mad scientist who lived in the basement of the Empire State Building? What is his/her plan to take  over the building?

WHAT IF your main character was one of the Mohawk iron workers? What if this character was a kid?

The possibilities are endless, and please leave your own what if questions in the comment section below. I’d love to see what you come up with.

So, grab a pencil and a piece of paper, and let’s begin. With your imagination, we can go anywhere. I look forward to seeing where you take us.

With Imagination,

Professor Watermelon

The Weekly MUSE: 2 Dollar Bills

The 2 dollar bill I found!

A few weeks ago, I visited St. Monica Catholic School in Indianapolis. I had a great time helping lots of children find their creative writing MUSE.

When I do school visits, I always send a book order form ahead of time. This way, parents can purchase signed copies of my books for their sons and daughters.

While opening payment envelopes, I encounter lots of 10 dollar, 5 dollar, and 1 dollar bills. I sometimes open envelops full of quarters, nickels, and dimes, too. But I have NEVER received the mysterious, elusive, often called a “phony” 2 dollar bill. Until now!

When I first saw it, I thought, “Is this real?”

I have to admit, it’s been a while since I’ve held a 2 dollar bill. And when this one mysteriously showed itself, it felt magical to hold it in my hands.

I still have not spent it! And I don’t think I want to. EVER! (Wink)

Maybe that’s why we hardly ever see 2 dollar bills. When one is caught, it’s rarely released. You think???

I don’t know, but I do know that we’ve found our MUSE!

$2 bills!

Apparently there are still 1.1 BILLION dollars in 2 dollar bills in circulation. (Or stuck inside greeting cards, billfolds, or old desk drawers.)

Here are some other fun facts about the 2 dollar bill:

The original 2 dollar bill, printed in 1862, featured Alexander Hamilton’s portrait. (Alexander Hamilton was the first United States Secretary of the Treasury. He is now featured on the 10 dollar bill.)

Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804)

In 1869, the portrait of Thomas Jefferson took the place of Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson has remained on the 2 dollar bill ever since.

EXCEPT…. for the 10 years that the 2 dollar bill was retired (1966-1976). The 2 dollar bill was reintroduced for the U.S. bicentennial celebration. At this time the picture on the back was also changed.

On the back of the previous 2 dollar bill, a picture of Monticello was featured. The bicentennial 2 dollar bill features a painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The original Jefferson 2 dollar bill!

The bicentennial 2 dollar bill, still printed today! 

Here’s a crazy fact! Some businesses do not accept 2 dollar bills, and legally, they don’t have.

In fact, people often think they are counterfeit (fake). A man in Baltimore, Maryland was held by police in a Best Buy store, when he paid with 64 two-dollar bills. Secret service was called and had to verify that the money was real.

So, maybe THAT is why people don’t spend their 2 dollar bills. Who wants the police called on them?

Before you get away and write interesting stories FULL of money, I thought you might like to see how money is made. Take a look!

Sorry, I couldn’t find a video featuring 2 dollar bills. I had to settle for the twenty!

With this new knowledge, what kind of story could you write? Maybe these what if questions will help you get started.

WHAT IF your main character planted two cents and a tree grew that flowered with 2 dollar bills?

WHAT IF your story took place inside the Bureau of Engraving and Printing? Are your characters people? What if they are ants, mice or LEPRECHAUNS!

WHAT IF your main character found an old safe deserted in the woods? When he/she cracked it open, hundreds of Alexander Hamilton 2 dollar bills were inside!

The possibilities are endless, and please leave your own what if questions in the comment section below. I’d love to see what you come up with.

So, grab a pencil and a piece of paper, and let’s begin. With your imagination, we can go anywhere. I look forward to seeing where you take us.

With Imagination,

Professor Watermelon

The Weekly MUSE: Locomotives

Steam Locomotive
Photo by: Vestman

Last week we talked about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. This secret system of paths and stations helped Tubman free hundreds of African American slaves!

This week we are going to take a look at the not-so-secret railroad. In particular we are going to look at this railroad’s giant IRON HORSES we call LOCOMOTIVES!

All, aboard, Creative Writers! We’ve found our MUSE!

Unlike Harriet Tubman’s Underground Railroad, it’s NO secret when a 200 ton locomotive chugs down the railway. These beasts make no effort to roll through town silently.

Take a look at a steam locomotive in action below!

Like I mentioned above, what you just saw was a STEAM locomotive. The engine of this locomotive is powered by steam.

Here is how it works. In most steam engines, coal is fed to a boiler that heats water to make steam. This steam creates pressure, which is used to PUSH the pistons. The pistons PUSH and PULL the rods that make the wheels move, making the classic “chugga-chugga” sound.

How did I learn this? I read Brian Floca’s new book called LOCOMOTIVE. This book just won the Caldecott Medal for best illustrations.

George Stephenson  (1781-1848)

After further research, I learned that the first steam locomotive was invented by George Stephenson of Great Britain in 1820’s.

Stephenson's Rocket Train (first steam locomotive)

Locomotives were first used to transport coal from the coal mines. Later, locomotives were used to power passenger trains.

Pretty soon, traveling by train would become the most popular form of transportation. And this would last until the 1950’s and 60’s when it became popular to travel by AIRPLANE!

Diesel Locomotive
Photo by: Seth J.

Today, locomotives still exist, but most are powered by diesel fuel. These locomotives are still used to transport people across the country, but most are used to transport cargo.

Before I send you on your way to create your own fascinating stories about locomotives, can you think of any stories where locomotives are the MUSE?

What about this one???

That movie clip came from the POLAR EXPRESS. As you can see, the conductor is the captain of the train. The engineer takes the orders.

With this new knowledge, what kind of story could you write? Maybe these what if questions will help you get started.

WHAT IF your main character was a kid and the youngest conductor on the railroad?

WHAT IF you your story’s setting was on a train powered by a steam locomotive? What if the main characters were not human?

WHAT IF the locomotive in your story was not taking the passengers to a normal destination like Seattle or Chicago? Instead, this locomotive was taking passengers to a magical place like Hogwarts or the North Pole. Use these destinations as examples, but create your own.

The possibilities are endless, and please leave your own what if questions in the comment section below. I’d love to see what you come up with.

So, grab a pencil and a piece of paper, and let’s begin. With your imagination, we can go anywhere. I look forward to seeing where you take us.

With Imagination,

Professor Watermelon

The Weekly MUSE: Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman (1820-1913)

February is African American History Month, so before this month flies by, I want to share with you one of America’s greatest treasures: Harriet Tubman.

All aboard, Creative Writers! We’ve found our MUSE – this time on the Underground Railroad. Choo-choooo!

As you already know, the United States of America has a very sad history with slavery. At one time, White Americans were allowed to own Black Americans like they could a horse or a mule. There was so much wrong with system, and eventually a war would be fought because of it – the American Civil War.

Levi Coffin (1798-1877)

But before slavery was ended, there were many white and black Americans that fought tirelessly to free the slaves. These people were called abolitionists. One of the most famous abolitionists is from right here in Indiana, Levi Coffin. In fact, he was called the President of the Underground Railroad.

The Levi Coffin House - A "station" on the Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad was not a railway for trains or locomotives, and it was also NOT under the ground. Instead, it was a series of secret paths and stations (homes and farms) that escaped slaves used to find their way North to FREEDOM!

Leaders or guides for the Underground Railroad were called conductors. To be a conductor, you must be smart, quick-thinking and BRAVE. White and black people both served as conductors, but one woman stands out beyond the rest. Her name was Harriet Tubman.

Today African American people still refer to her as the Moses of their People. (In many religious texts, Moses is given credit for freeing the Hebrew people from slavery by the Egyptians).

Below is a short video biography of Harriet Tubman. Take a look.

To me, Harriet Tubman was brave on two accounts. Not only was she able to free herself from slavery, but she made several more trips into “slave country” knowing that HUGE bounties were on her head. This did not stop here. She could not be free herself while knowing that so many others suffered under the hands of bondage.

Harriet Tubman is a woman I wish I could have met. She is one of the greatest SHE-roes of all time.

With this new knowledge, what kind of story could you write? Maybe these what if questions will help you get started.

WHAT IF your main character was a kid on one of Harriet Tubman's escapes to Freedom?

WHAT IF your main character took a field trip to the cemetery where Harriet Tubman is buried? Does something interesting or strange happen? 

WHAT IF you could write a letter to Harriet Tubman, and she was able to read it? What would you say?

The possibilities are endless, and please leave your own what if questions in the comment section below. I’d love to see what you come up with.

So, grab a pencil and a piece of paper, and let’s begin. With your imagination, we can go anywhere. I look forward to seeing where you take us.

With Imagination,

Professor Watermelon

The Weekly MUSE: Owls

The first book in the series...

I have just begun reading The Guardians of Ga’Hoole by Kathryn Lasky, and I’m incredibly inspired by her muse: OWLS!

I’m so inspired that I've decided to share this MUSE with you!

With who?

With you?

Who?

You!

You-who?

Okay, enough owl humor.

Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve found our MUSE, and it’s sure to be a HOOT! (Okay, no more, hehehe.)

While reading the first book of the Ga’Hoole series, I was intrigued that the author creates kingdoms in which her owl characters live. Unfortunately, the antagonist of the story wants to conquer all the owl kingdoms, which creates a great good versus evil story, don’t you think???

Take a look at the trailer of the movie that the first three books were made into. This will give you a good idea of this epic story.

Exciting, huh?

Sadly, a real-life owl battle is taking place in the Pacific Northwest’s “Old Growth Forest Kingdom”. For centuries the Spotted Owl has called these forests their home, but a new owl is threatening their existence. Take a look.

So, will the two species be able to work it out? Makes me wonder if this is how Kathryn Lasky got her idea to write the Ga’Hoole series.

Where I live in Indiana, there are no Spotted Owls, but there are Barred Owls. And here, the Barred Owls are the ones who need to watch their backs. Why?

Well, Great Horned Owls hunt, kill and eat Barred Owls in the Midwest. No wonder they are fleeing to the “Old Growth Forest Kingdom” two-thousand miles away. Sounds like an epic story to me!

The Great Horned Owl is noted for its tufts of feathers that appear to be "horns".
Photo by: Contemplicity

Other owls WHO live in Indiana are the Screech Owl and Barn Owl.

Screech Owls are small owls that prefer to life in the hollows of trees.
Photo by: Zach Welty

Soren, the protagonist of the first six Ga’Hoole books is a Barn Owl.

Barn Owls like to build their nests in barns, hence their name. To me, they kind of look like aliens, especially in the face. What do you think?

Barn Owl
Photo by: Eric Kilby

Aliens???

Before I leave you to create your own EPIC owl stories, here are some quick OWL facts:

1.      There are 19 owl species in North America.

2.      Owls hunt at night, which makes them nocturnal.

3.      Owls cannot move their eyes like we can, but they can turn their necks almost ALL the way around, 270 degrees.

4.      Owls are closely related to hawks.

5.      Owls and hawks are raptors, otherwise known as birds of prey.

6.      Owls cannot digest the bones and other “hard pieces” of the animals they eat. Their gizzards collect and squeeze this matter into “owl pellets” and are coughed up kind of like how cat’s cough up hair balls.

7.      A group of owls is called a parliament. How hoity-toity is that?

8.      Harry Potter’s owl, Hedwig, is a Snowy Owl. Snowy Owls are AMAZING. Take a look!

With this new knowledge, what kind of story could you write? Maybe these what if questions will help you get started.

WHAT IF you told the story of a Spotted Owl that saves his species from extinction in the “Old Growth Forest Kingdom”?

WHAT IF your main character collects owl pellets? What if he/she finds one the size of a loaf of bread? What kind of owl coughed up that???

WHAT IF your main character is an owl who has escaped his captor, an evil wizard? Why does the wizard want him? How does this owl overcome this evil Wizard?

The possibilities are endless, and please leave your own what if questions in the comment section below. I’d love to see what you come up with.

So, grab a pencil and a piece of paper, and let’s begin. With your imagination, we can go anywhere. I look forward to seeing where you take us.

With Imagination,

Professor Watermelon