Janice Campbell -

Janice picked up a cookie and broke it in half, letting the melted chocolate stretch between the pieces. "You know, Clara, a lot of people think writing is like eating a giant bowl of raw broccoli. They think it's just hard work, strict rules, and something you have to do because it's good for you. But really? Storytelling is just like these cookies." Clara tilted her head. "Cookies?"

Inspired by her actual philosophy that reading and storytelling should feel like "cookies" rather than forced chores, here is an original story about a young girl who discovers the magic of words. janice campbell

Janice reached over and tapped Clara’s blank paper. "Close your eyes. Don't think about writing a masterpiece. Just think about a memory that feels like a cookie." Janice picked up a cookie and broke it

Clara picked up her pencil. She didn't try to use big, complicated words. Instead, she wrote about the rough bark of the tree against her sneakers. She wrote about the cool, green light filtering through the leaves and the sweet, sticky taste of the summer peach. But really

"Good," Janice said softly. "Now open your eyes and tell me about it on the paper. Don't worry about spelling. Don't worry about being perfect. Just let the lion out of its cage and see where it runs."

Clara nodded gloomily. "I want to write something wonderful, Aunt Janice. Something like the books you have downstairs. But I'm just a kid. I don't know how to make words dance."

"I did it," Clara said breathlessly. "I wrote a story about a girl who lives in a giant tree and talks to the birds." "And how does it feel?" Janice asked.