As parents, we tend to read a lot of children’s stories. In fact, for many years, those were the only types of books I had time to read.
I wish I had known then that children’s stories actually provide writers, of all genres, with simpler means for observing writing techniques.
Joining today’s conversation is Maria Secoy, a writing coach, romance author, and former middle school English teacher.
In this episode, Maria explains what questions writers can ask themselves, and their children, to expand their understanding of what makes a story. She even walks you through how Finding Nemo perfectly exemplifies the plot structure of the classic hero’s journey.
Tune in to find out how writing enables Maria to better handle her hormonal teenager’s behavior and how your teens can continue to inspire your writing.
Topics discussed in this episode
- Maria’s journey from teacher to author
- Using language to create our own futures
- How children’s stories can teach us writing techniques
- A walk through of the hero’s journey plot structure via Finding Nemo
- How to learn about dual point of view from Finding Nemo
- How to study plot, voice, dialogue, cause and effect, etc., using children’s stories
- The power of fan-fic practice
- Our kids as storytellers
- How teens shift to telling nonfiction stories
- Using writing to deal with hormonal teens
- How to gain loyal fans via a reader magnet
- How our teens can exemplify “show, don’t tell”
- Defining queer vs MM romance
If you want to hear more from Maria, check out episode 21 in which Maria interviewed your host, Erin P.T. Canning.
About Maria
Maria Secoy has a BA in English and an MEd in Secondary English. She spent more than a decade in the classroom helping students grow as authentic writers.
She wrote and published her first romance novel, Alongside Lucy, in February 2022, which has since reached #4 on the Amazon Best Sellers List. And she released Gloria’s Gumption January 2023.
After hearing stories of editors gone wrong, flopped cover designs, marketing struggles, and anxiety over the entire self-publication process, she launched All Write Well, which has grown to include a team of supportive experts who meet all the self-publishing needs of writers.
Get her books
- Alongside Lucy: https://www.amazon.com/Alongside-Lucy-Trail-Adventure-Adventures-ebook/dp/B09WKYLVVZ
- Gloria’s Gumption: https://www.amazon.com/Glorias-Gumption-Maria-Secoy/dp/B0BRH2F7WZ/
Connect with Maria
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msecoywriter
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/msecoywriter
- Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/awwromance
- All Write Well (self-publishing support services): https://allwritewell.com/
Books/movies discussed during the show
- Robin Hood (1973)
- Finding Nemo (2003)
- Return of the Jedi (1983)
- David series by David Shannon
- Slacker by Gordon Korman
- The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
- Cinder by Marissa Meyer
- Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Author Tau Bauer
- Erie Elementary series by Jack Chabert
- The Maze Runner series by James Dashner
Free your creative self too
Let’s connect via my Facebook group, Parents Who Write, at https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentswhowrite.
