Author: Cynthia Reeg

Posted on by Cynthia Reeg

Monster Writing Prompts: Part 2

 

 

 

Creating MONSTER CHARACTERS: Appearance

For the month of January, I’ll post some pointers on Creating Your Own Monster Characters. Be sure to come back next week for another quick writing tip, courtesy of  FROM THE GRAVE (Book 1 of the MONSTER OR DIE trilogy, from Jolly Fish Press, coming October 18, 2016)

from-the-grave

Monsters consider their ultimate job is to scare the socks off humans. They want to keep humans living in terror, always wondering when the next attack might be. Humans are forever dreading dark corners, listening for stealthy footfalls and grumbly growls, keen to the scent of unwashed monster fur. It is extremely important for monsters to look (and smell) the part.

 

For example, they might be green and gruesome, or have wild hair, long claws, sharp teeth, or perhaps lumpy orange skin with warts galore, a shock of purple hair, and some serious B.O.

 

However, in FROM THE GRAVE, many of the misfit monsters don’t look or act like monsters at all. That leads to big trouble for them.

 

What does the monster(s) in your story look like?

 

 

Sometimes it helps me to look for pictures or draw a picture of one of my characters. Seeing your monster will aid in bringing him/her to life! Go ahead–I dare you! Create monster characters that will scare your own socks off. 🙂

If you want to try drawing your monster (as well as describing it), check out this step-by-step lesson on creating a creepy (but fun) monster.

http://www.my-how-to-draw.com/how-to-draw-monsters.html

 

Or visit your local library and find books on drawing monsters there. Here are a few I found at my library!

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Several pictures in the Lee J. Ames books helped me bring to life characters. Like this rendition that I did for the evil school principal in FROM THE GRAVE.

FullSizeRender    I’d love to see some of your monster drawings!

 

 

Posted on by Cynthia Reeg

Monster Writing Prompts: Part 1

Creating MONSTER CHARACTERS: Likes & Dislikes!

For the month of January, I’ll post some pointers on Creating Your Own Monster Characters. Be sure to come back next week for another quick writing tip!

When I started writing FROM THE GRAVE (Book 1 of the MONSTER OR DIE trilogy, from Jolly Fish Press, coming October 18, 2016), I thought it would be fun to make the monsters basically the opposites of humans. For example:

Monsters hate: sugar, neatness & cleanliness.

Monsters love: sludge noodles & the smell of rotting anything.

 

But as I began to know my monsters more, I realized that monsters truly love ORDER and RULES. They only allow “mayhem when appropriate.” Hmmm, being a monster isn’t as easy as it looks—which is a very good problem for a writer to have with her characters. Never make it too easy for them. It’s much more fun and exciting to provide plenty of problems.

 

Now, if you were writing a monster story, what would your characters like and dislike? Make a Word Web to jot down your ideas. Write your character’s name in the center and some LIKES above and DISLIKES below.

Here is a link to a Word Web you can print out if you need one.

https://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/cluster.pdf

For a list of FRIGHTFUL READS, visit my website. What’s your favorite scary story?

Monster on!!!

 

 

Posted on by Cynthia Reeg

GRATITUDE at Thanksgiving

THANKSGIVING

It’s truly one of my favorite times of the year.

FAMILY,

image2 IMG_6362

FOOD,

IMG_0627  IMG_0610

DAD_MATT&JORDAN

and THANKS!

 

In this past year, I’m especially thankful for both old and new friends—those writer buddies who’ve keep me plodding along for years and those new friends at Jolly Fish Press and The Sweet Sixteens who’ve welcomed me into the publishing world with help and encouragement.

 

It’s often easy to become discouraged amid our own life dramas as well as those in the larger world. But I count myself most fortunate to be surrounded by so many wonderful people who remind me to always look for the good, to hope for the best, and to believe in myself and others.

 

I wish all of you a blessed Thanksgiving!

 

Posted on by Cynthia Reeg

Halloween FUN Treat

SCARED SILLY at HALLOWEEN

 

If you want to be frighteningly funny this Halloween, here is a list of 100 MONSTER JOKES for you. And if you have a favorite Monster Joke you don’t see on my list, please send it to me. I’d love to share it!!!

Monster Jokes

  1. What do vampire parents read to their kids?

(Bite-time stories)

 

  1. What baseball position do young vampires like to be?

(Bat boys)

 

  1. What works out at the gym, has a long tail, and lives in a lake in Scotland?

(The Jock Ness Monster)

 

  1. What creature is part vampire and part werewolf?

(A bloodhound)

 

  1. How would you create the world’s biggest stinker?

(Cross Bigfoot with a skunk)

 

  1. Why did the mummy lose track of time?

(He was all wrapped up in his work.)

 

7, Why are mummies such good workers?

(They like to get a job wrapped up ASAP.)

 

  1. How does a vampire know if he’s found the right mate?

(It’s love at first bite!)

 

  1. How does Dracula get brighter teeth?

(He bites a light bulb.)

 

  1. Why was the Invisible Man such a good guy?

(His conscience was always clear.)

 

  1. How did the mad scientist keep in shape?

(He became a body builder.)

 

  1. What does a zombie use after trimming his whiskers in the morning?

(Aftergrave lotion)

 

  1. Why did the monster collect clocks?

(He was trying to kill time.)

 

  1. What do near-sighted ghosts to need to wear to see better?

(Spook-tacles)

 

15, How do you know when a ghost is about to faint?

(He gets as pale as a sheet.)

 

  1. What do overweight ghosts need to do?

(Exorcise)

 

  1. What medicine does a vampire use when his throat hurts?

(Coffin drops)

 

  1. Why did the dog want a costume?

(So he could dress up for Howl-oween)

 

  1. Which piece of clothing can become haunted?

(A pair of scaredy pants)

 

  1. What fruit do ghosts like best?

(Boo-berries!)

 

  1. What food is a ghost’s favorite?

(Ghoulash)

 

  1. Other than a cemetery and a haunted house, where is a good place for a ghost to live?

(A ghost town)

 

  1. Why are ghosts such good cheerleaders?

(They have great spirit.)

 

  1. What day is a monster’s favorite?

(Frightday)

 

  1. What road has the most ghosts haunting it?

(A dead end!)

 

  1. What position does a ghost play in soccer?

(Ghoulie!)

 

  1. What monster plays tricks on Halloween?

(Prank-enstein!)

 

  1. Why did the vampire flunk art class?

(Because he could only draw blood!)

 

  1. What’s the problem with twin witches?

(You can’t tell which witch is which!)

 

  1. What do you do with a green monster?

(Wait until she’s ripe!)

 

  1. Why didn’t the zombie go to school?

(He felt rotten!)

 

  1. Why did the cyclops stop teaching?

(Because he only had one pupil!)

 

  1. Why is a cemetery a great place to write a story?

(Because there are so many plots there!)

 

  1. What’s the best way to talk to a monster?

(From afar!)

 

  1. What’s big, scary, and has three wheels?

(A monster riding a tricycle!)

 

  1. How do you fix a jack-o-lantern?

(With a pumpkin patch!)

 

  1. What do ghosts like for dessert?

(I scream!)

 

  1. What do you do if you find Frankenstein in your bed?

(Find a different bed!)

 

  1. What baseball position does Frankenstein like to play?

(Fright fielder)

 

  1. Because vampires don’t like to brush their teeth they have what?

(Bat breath)

 

  1. Why is Frankenstein known as a friendly fellow?

(He’s always ready to give a hand…or a foot…or…)

 

  1. What did the Cyclops teacher tell his student?

(Watch out! I’ve got my eye on you!)

 

  1. What’s ancient and itchy?

(A fleahistoric monster)

 

  1. What is a mummy’s favorite music?

(Wrap)

 

  1. What happens to Frankenstein when he gets upset?

(He falls to pieces.)

 

  1. What do you call a frightful cow?

(A MOOOOster)

 

  1. What animal is a vampire’s favorite?

(A giraffe)

 

  1. Where do werewolves go who want to be in the movies?

(Howlywood)

 

  1. Where do zombies go to snorkel?

(The Dead Sea)

 

  1. What do you call a vampire who eats between meals?

(Snack-ul)a

 

  1. Which vampire is really good at math?

(COUNT Dracula)

 

  1. What does a witch like to write with?

(A magic marker)

 

  1. What game do little monster like to play?

(Hide and shriek)

 

  1. Which Great Lake is the monsters’ favorite?

(Lake Eerie)

 

  1. Why are skeletons so lonely?

(They have noBODY.)

 

  1. Why do none of the monsters want Bigfoot’s job?

(He has such BIG shoes to fill!)

 

  1. Which monster likes African safaris?

(The big game haunter)

 

  1. What’s the difference between a monster and a chocolate chip cookie?

(It’s much harder to dip a monster in a glass of milk.)

 

  1. Which is a ghost’s favorite ride at an amusement park?

(The roller-ghoster)

  1. What type of mistakes to ghosts make?

(Boo-boos)

 

  1. How do you get a skeleton to laugh?

(Tickle its funny bone.)

  1. What happened when the mummy ate too much?

(He got a mummy ache!)

 

  1. How do you make a witch itch?

(Take away the “w”.)

 

  1. Why did the dog want a costume?

(So he could dress up for Howl-oween!)

 

  1. What subject do witches like best at school?

(Spell-ing)

 

  1. Why are ghosts so bad at lying?

(You can see right through them.)

 

  1. What room do zombie houses never have?

(A living room)

 

  1. Why do many ghosts like books?

(They are ghostwriters.)

 

  1. Why do ghosts not take selfies?

(They’re not much to look at)

 

  1. What do monsters ride to school in?

(A ghoul-bus)

 

  1. What’s a mummies favorite game?

(Name That Tomb)

 

  1. Why are there fences around cemeteries?

(People are just dying to get in!)

 

  1. Where do little ghosts go to school?

(Day Scare)

 

  1. Who won the skeleton beauty contest?

(No Body)

 

  1. Which story do all little witches like to hear at bedtime?

(Little Red Ghoully Hood and the Three Scares)

 

  1. Why wouldn’t the skeleton work?

(He was a lazy bones.)

 

  1. How does a monster score a football touchdown?

(He runs over the ghoul line.)

 

  1. What is a skeleton’s favorite musical instrument?

(A trombone)

 

  1. Why doesn’t Dracula have any friend?

(He’s a pain in the neck.)

 

  1. What’s a monster’s favorite play?

(Romeo and Ghoulilet)

 

  1. What do witches put in their hair?

(Scare spray)

 

  1. Why couldn’t the ghost see her mom and dad?

(They were trans-parents!)

 

  1. Which monster is the best dancer?

(The Boogey Man)

 

  1. What’s worse than being a two-ton witch?

(Being her broom)

 

  1. Which circus act do vampires like best?

(The juggler)

 

  1. How do you know if it’s a terrible mummy joke?

(It Sphinx!)

 

  1. Who did Frankenstein take to the party?

(His ghoul friend)

 

  1. When is it bad luck to be followed by a black cat?

(When you’re a mouse)

 

  1. What goes around a haunted house and never stops?

(A fence)

 

  1. What do you get when you cross a duck with a vampire?

(Count Quackula)

 

  1. Why did the monster buy another sock?

(Because it grew another foot!)

 

  1. What kind of lock does Dracula have on his castle?

(A dead bolt)

 

  1. How do monsters stay cool?

(Turn on the scare conditioner)

 

  1. Why wasn’t there any food left after the party?

(Because everyone was a goblin)

 

  1. What type of art does Frankenstein create?

(Monster pieces)

 

  1. What kind of horses do ghosts ride?

(Night mares)

 

  1. What kind of monster has the best hearing?

(The eeriest)

 

  1. What do ghosts like to eat with a sandwich?

(Ghoulslaw)

 

  1. What’s scary and goes to the second floor?

(Monstairs)

 

  1. What did Frankenstein say to his new girlfriend?

(I’ve been dying to meet you!!!)

 

Happy Halloween!

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Posted on by Cynthia Reeg

SCARED SILLY: Halloween Joke Fun

SACRED SILLY at HALLOWEEN

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In my upcoming Middle Grade Fantasy, FROM THE GRAVE, (Fall of 2016 from Jolly Fish Press) one of my favorite supporting characters is Stan & Dan, the two-headed gargoyle. This creature, like Frankenstein Frightface Gordon—the hero of the story, is a misfit.

 

Stan & Dan, the goofy gargoyle, tries to fit into a world that doesn’t think monsters should be funny (or quiet, or neat, or anything other than monsterly.) Both gargoyle heads are master jokesters—often trying to one-up the other.

 

STAN: Why do skeletons go the grocery store?

DAN: I don’t know. Why?

STAN: To find spare ribs!

DAN: Har! Har! That’s a good one!

 

Yep, these two just can’t help themselves from telling giggly gotchas, no matter how hard they try. I guess a two-headed, green and ghoulish gargoyle clown is still a clown. Right?

 

Here in St. Louis it’s nearly time for all our local ghoulish clowns to come out for their big night. Halloween trick-or-treaters in the Arch City are ALL jokesters like Stan & Dan. St. Louis is one of only two major cities in the U.S. (Des Moines, Iowa is the other) that expects their Halloween trick-or-treaters to tell jokes before they receive their treats. A funny one-liner, riddle, or even a knock-knock joke is expected from each costumed-clad child on October 31.

 

CandyShirt

How did this stand-up routine become part of two local Halloweens? Well, it turns out that back in the Depression era (1930’s) in Des Moines the local hooligans were doing too much vandalizing on trick-or-treat night. In an effort to stop the destructive behavior, the city encouraged tricksters to tell a joke, rather than play a prank. Perhaps it was for a similar reason that St. Louis (just south of Iowa) adopted the tradition too. Or another possibility for the custom here could stem from the St. Louis’ large Irish population. The Irish had an even older Halloween practice of performing for a treat.

 

Going door-to-door on the eve of Hallowmas (November 1—All Souls Day), they would offer prayers and songs for the dead in return for treats. This custom dates back to the Middle Ages. In Great Britain and Ireland, this yearly practice was called “souling.” In Scotland by the end of the 19th century, “guising” was popular. Costumed people would carry scooped out gourds with lights and go door-to-door hoping for treats. Still today in Scotland, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Puerto Rico, and parts of Mexico, Halloween “trick or treating” is popular. But it is the United States that boasts the largest Halloween festivities in the world!

 

If you’d liked to up your comedic game this Halloween, check out my daily MONSTER JOKES on Twitter (@cynthiareeg) and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CynthiaReegAuthor).

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And be sure to visit my blog on FRIDAY OCTOBER 30, for a list of 100 FRIGHTENINGLY FUN JOKES! Don’t miss it!!!

Posted on by Cynthia Reeg

R.L. STINE and MARC BROWN CREATE NEW MONSTERS

Monstrous Fun

On Friday night I had the privilege to attend the Premier Event at the St. Louis County Library Headquarters, featuring R.L. Stine and Marc Brown. R.L. Stine is famous for his spooky adventure series GOOSEBUMPS. While author and artist Marc Brown is equally well known for his ARTHUR ADVENTURE books and delightful PBS television series ARTHUR.

Brown&Stine1

Leave it up to these two amazing literary sensations to combine talents and produce a frightfully fun picture book for young readers, THE LITTLE SHOP OF MONSTERS. The two friends explained the beginning of their teamwork. “We should do a book together,” Marc Brown said he had suggested a few years ago. R.L. Stine countered that comment with, “I think Marc had this inner monster waiting to get out.”

Picture Book Writing Isn’t Easy

R.L. Stine told the large audience that writing a picture book was hard work. He wrote and rewrote it—six times. Then he sent a text copy to his friend and Marc proceeded to draw right on the text! Here is a picture of one of the preliminary illustrations.

Brown:Stine&Text2

Mr. Stine said that he enjoys writing “scary and funny” stories. He’s excited about the upcoming Goosebumps movie (October 16) starring Jack Black as R.L. Stine himself.

JackBlack:Monsters

 

Big Ideas

Mr. Brown described a turning point in his youth when he read his kid sister’s book, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, and realized just how powerful pictures could be in helping tell a story. Back then, he was “a little kid with big ideas.” Those ideas eventually included creating the Arthur characters based on children and adults from his real life. His latest book is MONKEY NOT READY FOR KINDERGARTEN

 

BrownClass

The authors’ parting words for the evening were, “Life is short. Read great books!”BookPlate1

Posted on by Cynthia Reeg

An Evening with Author/Illustrator DAV PILKEY

TRA-LA-LAAAA!

How does an evening with children’s author Dav Pilkey begin? (well,after waiting in a looooong line wrapping all the way around Headquarters library…)

Waiting for Captain Underpants

Waiting for Captain Underpants

With, of course, a loud “Tra-la-laaaa!” yelled in unison by all the kids (and many of the parents) in the audience. It’s Captain Underpants’ typical call to action.

I had the fun opportunity to be part of this attentive and rambunctious crowd last night at the St. Louis County Library’s Author Event, celebrating the release of CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS AND THE SENSATIONAL SAGA OF SIR STINKS-A-LOT. (# 12 in the series)

Screen Saver for Captain Underpants

Screen Saver for Captain Underpants

 

MAKING READING FUN

Dav Pilkey, who will have 60 books to his credit with 2016’s THE ADVENTURES OF DOG MAN, has revolutionized reading for boys especially. USA Today called him the “savior of the reluctant reader.” His short, graphic chapter books with their silliness, fast pace, and bathroom humor are a perfect fit for young readers. The kid-friendly author creates his tales based on his own elementary school experiences.

The Adventures of Dog Man

The Adventures of Dog Man

As a child who suffered from ADHD and dyslexia, he understood the power of pictures to tell a story. Even though he often found himself doing hallway detention for drawing in class, he couldn’t resist making more clever comics—to the delight of his fellow students and the dismay of his teachers.

“Underwear is not funny!” said Mr. Pilkey’s second grade teacher. “Grow up!” she cautioned him. “You can’t spend the rest of your life making silly books!”

Drawing favorite characters

Drawing favorite characters

Oh, how little she knew, and how very far Mr. Pilkey has enriched young readers with the delights of his underwear crew.

Some of his other titles include:

The Ricky Ricotta Series 

Dog Breath

Paper Boy

The Adventures of Ook and Gluk

Super Diaper Baby

Dogzilla!

 

Nowadays, the author prefers drawing in more natural spots, like along the beach in Japan when visiting his wife’s family. But even there, he still suffers criticism—from some monkeys that is. Mr. Pilkey shared a video of himself at work sketching, while several monkeys attempted to confiscate his pens and offer vocal commentary on his work-in-progress.

Dav Pilkey Attempts to Draw Despite Monkey Antics

Dav Pilkey Attempts to Draw Despite Monkey Antics

 

 

HANG IN THERE!

At the end of his presentation last night, Mr. Pilkey made a point about perseverance. He showed a picture of a scowling egg and a happy potato in boiling water. “Don’t let adversities overcome you,” he said. “Rather use them to build on. In boiling water, a potato softens but an egg becomes hard.”

 

READING POWER

Many young readers in the crowd wore red capes, similar to Captain Underpants. On back of the capes was the message, “Reading is Power!” Thanks, Mr. Pilkey, for enhancing children’s literature with your comic characters and delightful illustrations and proving that strong reading muscles really do rock!

Posted on by Cynthia Reeg

Pitch Wars Mentee Bio

                                 IMG_0774

I’ve decided to participate in Brenda Drake’s PITCH WARS contest, which is ramping into action even as I type. The contest allows mentees to submit a work for consideration by numerous literary mentors (MG-Adult). If a mentee wins a mentor with his/her fabulous entry, then the two will collaborate on the manuscript, polishing it to perfection with the hope of garnering favor with an agent during the second round. I love the idea of working with a talented writer and bringing new life to my story. This year the mentors have requested some bio info on perspective mentees, so here is mine.

DSC03252  Writer-in-trainingJr. Hi Picture_adobe

I can’t really remember a time when I wasn’t reading or writing (as depicted above by a local grade school artist. Yes, that’s me on the right in middle school.) So in pursuit of all things literary, I majored in English Lit in undergraduate school and then earned a Masters in Library Science. We moved fairly often, so I’ve shared my love of books with students in numerous states in both school and public libraries where I’ve worked.

Writer BOOK

 

For the past 10 years or so, I’ve actively pursued my writing career. I’m a member of SCBWI and ALA. I try to attend as many writers’ conferences and classes as possible. I belong to a couple of critique groups and continue to learn the craft. Some of my short stories and poems have been published in children’s magazines, like HIGHLIGHTS and LADYBUG. I’ve won the SCBWI Missouri Mentorship and a few other regional awards, earning spots in anthologies. Earlier this year, I signed a two-book deal with Jolly Fish Press for my MONSTER OR DIE series.

FROM THE GRAVE is slated for publication in Fall of 2016.from-the-grave

 

Ab-ra-ka-dab-ra!

I like to make magic with words.

I love writers like

Kate DiCamillo

Avi

Louis Sacharabracadabra_jean_maurice_

Ransom Riggs

Cornelia Funke

Richard Peck

Jonathan Stroud….the list could go on and on.

 

YogaDownDog_pic

I try to flex my writerly muscles, taking on new challenges and improving my technique.

 

I’m creative and love the language of words, priding myself on creating musical prose.

ani_thinkingcapBOOK

 

funpencilBOOK

 

I’m an attention-to-detail person and open to revision. I know that good writing can become even better.

 

danceBOOKI love to write stories that appeal to

reluctant readers, especially boys. What can I say, I was sandwiched between two brothers growing up. I had two sons of my own and now two grandsons.

20150319_105951I like action, adventure, silliness, laugh-out-loud humor, magic, and spooky stuff. I want readers to finish my book and ask the librarian, “Do you have another one like that?”

m-childrens-author-cynthis-reeg-monster-books

 

Thanks, Mentors, for volunteering and your pay-it-forward attitude!

Hats off to everyone entering!

39 Years