Author Archives: ramstadk

Writing Tips From Kevin Lovegreen

Are you hoping to write your own middle grade novel but don’t want to create bland scenes? These tips by Kevin Lovegreen will give you the basics on how to create vivid descriptions of your characters’ world. M Liz Boyle If you are (or know) a reader of middle-grade adventure stories, you’re probably familiar withContinue reading “Writing Tips From Kevin Lovegreen”

Be Gritty? Or Be Optimistic?

It’s good to be realistic about how corrupt our world is. But how realistic is too realistic, particularly when it comes to writing stories? Should we be as gritty as today’s news and reveal all the world’s evils? Or be the opposite extreme, too optimistic? My book review on Laika: Astronaut Dog shows a bookContinue reading “Be Gritty? Or Be Optimistic?”

New Book Review: Fluffy Fox and The Little Turtle

I wrote another book review for Jennifer Hallmark’s blog! This time, it’s about a fox with a big problem but helps someone else in the midst of it. What is this fox’s problem? Hint: it has to do with her tail.

Read to Your Kids, Part VI, Ocean Stories with Beautiful Illustrations — M Liz Boyle

Don’t believe teenagers can benefit from picture books? Read this article from M. Liz Boyle’s website. Sarah Mackenzie, author and founder of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, says that we should read a picture book every day as kids grow up, even when they’re teenagers! If this sounds odd to you, listen to the podcast toContinue reading “Read to Your Kids, Part VI, Ocean Stories with Beautiful Illustrations — M Liz Boyle”

Short Stories, Please

Looking for a quick read for your young children? Try “Children’s Adventure Stories by James Reeves.” It’s a Facebook Page that’s open to the public, and it’s loaded with short stories along with colorful and fun illustrations. The following picture was on that Page. 🙂 Story Warren also has short stories for kids, and IContinue reading “Short Stories, Please”

Write Truth. Don’t Preach.

When writing a story, have you ever added a quick Gospel message in a way that seems forced? For example, out of the blue you have added something like, “Your brother gave his life for you, just like Christ would have done.” I’ve been guilty of that. But fiction writers are meant to write storiesContinue reading “Write Truth. Don’t Preach.”

Adding Animals to Your Story?

As you may already know, I’ve reviewed a lot of books with animals in them, and I’ve written stories with animals in them, though I haven’t thought much on how to incorporate wildlife into worldbuilding. R.M. Archer wrote a blog post that offers tips on how to create animals for your fantastical world. And sheContinue reading “Adding Animals to Your Story?”