World Read Aloud Day: Celebrating with a FOOD FIGHT Contest! Join Us!

Wednesday, March 6th is "World Read Aloud" Day.  On LitWorld's website (wwwlitworld.org) they state that, "World Read Aloud Day is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to all people. World Read Aloud Day motivates children, teens, and adults worldwide to celebrate the power of words, especially those words that are shared from one person to another, and creates a community of readers advocating for every child’s right to a safe education and access to books and technology."

I am excited to say that here at the Write Routine we are going to mark "World Read Aloud" Day through a week-long celebration of community and language.  That's right.  We are going to have a FOOD FIGHT!!!!!!

What says "read aloud" more than onomatopoeia?  Maybe its because I grew up with Adam West's Batman on tv and would live for the fight scenes when onomatopoeia would cover the screen.  POW! ZING!  WHAP!  But I do have an absolute love for onomatopoeia. What a tool in children's books.  So much fun to read aloud and play with. 

I therefore declare the week of March 4th, 2013, Onomatopoeia Appreciation Week.  Which brings me to our contest.  The Food Fight.  Here's how it is going to work:

The Participant Badge!

1)  Today.  Make sure you are a Follower of this blog.  And grab the uber nifty Participant Badge.  By the way, this badge was designed by Julie Rowan-Zoch.  Make sure to tell her how awesome you think it is.  So, grab the badge.  Display it proudly on your social media and blogs.  Spread the word.  Link back to this post.  Let's get the word out.  Because the more people slinging peas and flinging Jell-o the better.  Trust me. 

2)  On March 4th, if you have a blog ~ Create a post in which you start a story.  This story should have a clear setting and at least one clear character.  Set the scene.  Be creative.  It can be anywhere.  But remember, I am a kidlit writer...so let's keep it clean (until we start throwing food, of course).  Write the story up to the moment when a food fight breaks out.  And then stop.  Publish your post, stop at the Write Routine to link up your story...and then sit back.  If you don't have a blog, relax...your participation will be needed to.  See step #3.

3)  March 4th til March 8th (midnight EST) ~ Comment on as many of the Food Fight stories as possible.  Your comment needs to grow the story. 

Read the posted story and all of the comments that precede you.  Then, post your comment.  Be sure to build on and further the existing story.  Your comment should flow.  The story should read as if it was written by one person when read from beginning to end.

ALSO, your comment needs to include at least one word of onomatopoeia and one thrown item of food.  Your onomatopoeia must be a word that has not been used already in that story, as well.  That's right.  Be creative. 

We are creating community here.  Anyone can participate.  Comment on as many stories throughout the week as possible. 

You can comment more than once on a story, however, you cannot fight with yourself...meaning, you cannot follow one of your own comments...someone else needs to comment before you can comment again.  Have fun. 

4)  Over the weekend (March 9th and 10th) blog owners need to wrap up their story with one last comment.  Make sure the ending is satisfying.  It should feel like the story is defnitely concluded.  Flex those creative writing chops.

5)  There will be 2 prizes.  One prize will go to the "Most Food Flung", meaning the person who commented/participated the most.  Another prize will be given to the owner of the blog with "Best Story Overall" to be decided on by our judges.  Prizes to be announced on March 4th.  You MUST be a Follower of this Blog to be eligible for prizes.

What do you think?  Ready to flex those onomatopoeic muscles and build some community at the same time?  Grab that badge, display it proudly and spread the word.  Oh, and watch out for the mashed potatoes....SPLAT!