One conversational snippet can spur your next five writing destinations.
I fondly remember a conversation I had with a young mom who wanted to inspire her young son to have a greater love of Western culture and literature.
They planned to drive from their home in Nebraska to Wyoming for a family wedding.
He had a natural inclination and curiosity for learning new things.
They had the best story time, and she encouraged his love of books.
One time I watched them finish up a book together.
She sent him off to start getting ready for bedtime, telling him she’d be there in a minute to tuck him in (There was more to the bedtime routine than just teeth brushing).
I overheard her say, “Okay (son’s name), now be the buffalo.”
The little boy pointed his fingers to look like horns, pawed the ground and snorted his way to start his routine.
This parent was successful in cementing the family trip memory.
She used an immersive approach.
HERE ARE HER SECRETS:
- Purchased or checked out from the library ‘Good Fit’ books that matched her son’s reading ability within the desired genre.
- She read these books with her son in a special rocking chair.
- The cozy comforts of a lap blanket and good lighting set the tone.
- They traveled to places that were nearly like the setting in the books.
- They did activities like things in the books.
- If a cowboy roped a wild horse, the mom and son roped a trike they pretended was a wild horse.
- Supper or lunch meals might go along with the theme.
- Cowboy ‘cook outs’ served beanies and weenies.
The lower third of a hotdog can be vertically sliced, with nicks along the side, then boiled.
The cooking process makes the cuts expand and the hotdog ends up looking like a cowboy.
You can devour the cowboy hotdog much like a gingerbread man or a chocolate bunny.
One leg at a time?
Go for the ears first?
You might be sitting at a campfire or in front of a candle.
You might be sipping tea or finding online coupons.
You might also use the time for reflecting about your writing craft.
Consider the benefits of immersive literature like the young mom did.
Anna Castle’s mystery books have an immersive, historical feel to them that draws readers into her world.
I recommend her Death by Disputation for the strong entertainment value, and also to get a sense how an immersive mystery feels as a reader.
You may want to adopt elements of this style to enhance your own world building.
