Page 5 - Holiday Traditions Dec 2020

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS • ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE THREE RIVERS EDITION/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2020
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Write a Christmas story
A Christmas Eve tradition in many Amer- ican households is reading holiday-themed storybooks. is year, create your own tale with the children in your life. With their input, con- sider a plot, a theme and a list of characters who partake in an exciting adventure. Do you need inspiration? Check out these Christmas classics that are a staple in multiple family traditions.
• “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” by Charles M. Schulz.
• “A Christmas Carol,”
by Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver.
• “ e Elf on the Shelf,”
by Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell.
• “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” by Dr. Seuss.
• “ e Night Before Christmas,” by Clement C. Moore.
ese stories are sure to get the creativi- ty flowing and inspire your family to create a book that will make an appearance every year.
BRAINSTORM
You should begin your new story by think- ing of a concept. Find ideas by asking your chil- dren for their favorite aspect of Christmas. Per- haps it’s visiting Santa, decorating the tree or finding gifts for loved ones. After getting a few ideas, write down a structure for the plot and a tentative ending. With the primary points out- lined, jot down an exciting outcome that ties the story together. To add personalization for your book, use the names of family members for the characters, as well as inside jokes that your household will recognize.
PRODUCE
Once the story is finished, you should illus- trate the pages. Invest in high-quality coloring materials and pages. If you believe that your images don’t do the content justice, consider hiring a professional artist. e artist’s unique imagery can take your words to the next level.
SHOULD YOU PUBLISH?
If you think your custom book would be a family favorite for others, consider publishing the book and trying to sell it. Modern technol- ogy allows even amateur authors to get their creations to the public without backing from a publisher. When self-publishing, be sure to market the content to your friends and loved ones on social media and by sharing a link to the story in public forums.