Have you ever noticed that when you're thinking about something a lot, you see many things related to it all around you? It happens to me all the time. I'll be thinking about going to Florida and I suddenly start spotting lots and lots of Florida license plates on I-95 while I'm driving to work. ... (I bet you have tons of examples from your own life to share. Click on the "comment" link below to help me make a list.)

So, elephants have been on my mind for the past couple of days. The next issue of Writing has a fun image of an elephant on a red bicycle on its cover ... (Why? you ask. Well, you'll just have to wait and see!) ... and I've been reading and re-reading a pretty cool poem about a spotted pink homeless elephant (The poet shall remain nameless until April, when you crack open our magazine). 

Anyway, I was reading The New York Times today and bumped into a story about Babar, my favorite literary and seemingly immortal elephant.

Did you know?

• This year marks the 75th anniversary of Babar's creation.
• Babar is French.
• "Babar might have passed away prematurely when his original author and illustrator, Jean de Brunhoff, Laurent's father, died of tuberculosis in 1937, six years after bringing the popular character to life. For almost a decade, Babar was in literary limbo. But at age 21 Laurent, who studied art at the same Paris school his father had, decided to resuscitate Babar ..." Why? Read the full article to find out.
• Babar does yoga.
• Author Laurent de Brunhoff is receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from Child magazine tonight in NYC.
• Babar's latest adventure has taken him on a World Tour. Check it out.

Those of you who are smirking at my excitement about Babar: Hey, it's never too late in life to look at a picture book. Next time you are at a bookstore, go to the children's department and pick up a Babar book ... or one of your childhood favorites. Notice how a picture can sometimes convey a 1,000 words ... and how a few words can tell so much of a story. Both are great writing lessons for all ages.

OK, so that was a tangent. Reading about Babar made me start thinking about monkeys, which reminds me of Curious George. Tune in tomorrow to find out what Babar the elephant and Curious George have in common.

Sonnet by Molly Silverstein, Grade 9

 

The way the trees move makes me want to smile

Sun shining so brightly through growing trees

Swaying and sweeping forever and a while

Autumn leaves in the cool, blue rushing breeze

 

Sun shining over the blue expanse

Heat so hot it raises off the cement

Watching the heat move; puts me in a trance

Water on my body, cracking my laments

 

Sparkling white expanse shocks my numb mind

Cold air past my ears, ringing like a bell

Sunshine bouncing off, creates crystal time

Only for warmth to come and break this spell

 

Constant cycle brings beauty back to earth

Alive and dead and all starting from birth

Dallas Woodburn is currently a columnist for WRITING magazine. She is a creative writing major at the University of Southern California. She hopes to one day make a career as a successful author and maybe even start her own publishing company. For now, we are happy to welcome her to WORD.

Yes, it’s true. Bring out the balloons, confetti, and "CONGRATULATIONS" banner. I am now a proud mommy of the rough draft of a 248-page, 51,000-word novel manuscript!

I actually finished writing the draft on January 11, but I let my baby incubate in my computer’s hard-drive for a few weeks, so I could read her over again with fresh eyes for the first round of editing. While there was a sense of satisfaction as I typed "THE END" four Wednesdays ago, it was not until this morning, as I held my novel’s still-warm-from-the-printer pages in my arms, that I truly realized what I have accomplished.

Well well well... I must say it's been quite a productive day. After bouncing around the web all day, I came to find out that, guess what?, I hit every single page there is! That's right, I came to the end of the Internet! I didn't think it existed either. But it does.

Don't believe me?

Click here... if you dare...

Story by Amanda Walgrove, Grade 10

 

The heavy barricade suffocated her mind from all reality as it closed with a thud.  Her stomach dropped freely and with a quiet blink she saw the words "Stage Door" one last time.

 

"Break a leg, sweetie" and "You're gonna be great!" were phrases she had heard only seconds ago, yet they disappeared into another world once her eyes discovered the stage before her.  The other side welcomed her with a shock of icy air that could've come from a crisp winter day; she didn't care to remember that outside those four midnight walls, the sun was reaching its peak. The frosty breeze filled her mind and pumped warm blood to her heart which danced inside of her.  The contrast was invigorating. Her monologue became a catchy tune that jogged through her memory in preparation.  It drowned out the high notes that bounced off of the balcony of the hushed audience.  She told herself to have fun and enjoy the experience as if it was just that simple. When she finally came to peace with her thoughts, applause filled the auditorium and her heart kicked.  Her legs carried her center sage and when the bright red "X" was greeted by her toes, she lifted her eyes to the lights and sang her song.