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STEM Tuesday– Forests/Temperate Trees — Writing Tips & Resources

By on January 20, 2026   /   Forests/Temperate Trees, STEM Tuesday   /   Leave a comment

Hello, and welcome back to STEM Tuesday’s Writing Tips and Resources. I’m Stephanie.

The intersection of trees and writing is a well-traversed one. I’ve been meaning to write about it for years, to really analyze the motif across children’s literature. Trees are symbolic of many nouns… people, places, things, and ideas. At least for me, trees invoke feelings of magic, wonder, stability, and safety. I feel confident in surmising the same is true of others; otherwise, why are they so prevalent in these writings?

As an English major, Sigmund Freud captured my attention because of his essay The Interpretation of Dreams which in my humble opinion—along with The Uncanny—remains his most relevant work informing literary analysis. In the former essay, he explored the significance of dream-elements in proportion to each other. In terms of story (the supposed dream), and in service of the writing craft, how could his insights become writing exercises? That is, if Freud gave writing prompts about symbolism and metaphors, what would they look like?

Writing Exercise 1:

Freud wrote, “What is clearly the essence of the dream-thoughts need not be represented in the dream at all” (322). For this prompt, write a story about a tree without using the word tree. You may use any other tree-related words (branch, roots, etc), but nothing including the letters T-R-E-E in that order. After making a solid effort for at least 15 minutes, what did you find about the exercise? After pushing past the initial frustration of the task, what then? How did avoiding the word “tree” lead to a deeper exploration of it?

Writing Exercise 2:

Freud also wrote, “What appears in dreams, we might suppose, is not what is important in the dream-thoughts but what occurs in them several times over.” To reiterate more simply, not everything in the dream (or story, in our case) is of equal importance. The symbols that recur frequently or intensely are of higher significance. If you’ve never tried a controlling metaphor, one that lasts an entire story, now’s your chance. What does your tree represent? Take your tree story and look for places to reinforce your meanings. Meaning-making requires the discarding of the unlike qualities in favor of parallel groupings, so only bring up details that reinforce, not contradict, your metaphor.

Now if you’ve made it through my Freud-inspired prompts, you’re a trooper. This next one comes from a much more kidlit-friendly source: Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine.

There’s an old saying about forests and trees—that it’s easy to lose sight of one when focused on the other. To me, this is exactly the trick of storytelling: coordinating details and plot, scene and summary, moments and eons. As writers, it’s easy to get caught up in the metaphorical branches of line editing. But losing sight of the canopy is a consequential mistake. A story made entirely of descriptions of leaves isn’t going to cut it, but neither is a story full of faraway woodlands. To write well is to control pacing and distance.

Writing Exercise 3:

(Revision.) Take a passage of at least four consecutive sentences—any volunteer sentences will do—and revise it two ways. First, slow the pacing to a leaf-level, microscopic exploration of a moment. In painfully minute detail, describe everything. Try to triple or quadruple the number of sentences. Next, speed up the pacing while still retaining some semblance of the details from the original, but building the story out with explanation or context. You can be equally verbose, but the pacing must be quicker.

So, what did you think of today’s prompts? For more writing tips and tricks, check STEM Tuesday’s archives and/or visit me at StephanieWritesforKids.com.

Best,

Stephanie Jackson

With published work in Cricket magazine and the online poetry journal Dirigible Balloon, Stephanie Jackson writes everything kidlit: poems, articles, and board books through YA. In addition to holding an English degree, she regularly attends writing retreats and bookish events including Storymakers, WIFYR, and the Books For Young Readers Conference. She’s been a member of 12×12, Inked Voices, and other such mentoring groups. Current professional affiliations include SCBWI, The Author’s Guild, and NCTE. Personally, her hobbies include genealogy research and teacherly things. She’s a stay-at-home parent of four kids ages 5-14, and plans to teach ELA in secondary schools.

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Amazon Warriors of Yesterday, Today, and Middle Grade

By on January 16, 2026   /   Articles   /   Leave a comment
Amazons versus Greeks

Rama, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What happens when ancient myth meets modern reader?

The Amazons of Greek Myth

The Amazon warriors created by the ancient Greeks are heartbreaking characters. Men invented them to be beautiful, resourceful, and skilled in warfare. However, in their most famous mythic interactions, they are simultaneously admired and killed by Greek heroes: Heracles and Hippolyta, Theseus and Antiope, Achilles and Penthesilea, and Bellerophon and the Amazons. Beyond that, storytellers and gossips characterized them as whores, man-haters, male baby killers, and said they cut off their breasts to make throwing a spear and drawing a bowstring easier. Historians and classicists widely agree that the Amazons possessed the very qualities that destabilized the masculinity of the Greek hero, and that their purpose was to serve as a straw figure against which the male Greek hero could demonstrate his heroism.

Development of the Amazon Archetype

Most scholars have concluded that the ancient Amazons were not invented from whole cloth. Their image was shaped by accounts brought back to Athens by Greek travelers, traders, and historians who ventured to the fringes of the Asian steppe and interacted with the Scythians and their culture. Archaeologists believe that in steppe cultures, all people learned to ride horses, shoot arrows from bows while mounted, hunt, and, if necessary, engage in warfare. Both direct and indirect archaeological evidence support these interpretations. This includes not only weapons in graves of DNA-tested XX persons, but also osteological evidence such as battle wounds and wear and tear on joints from the use of bows and arrows and being on horseback.

Those who encountered these steppe cultures observed women with the same skills as men, who were contributing equally to their societies. The cultures were viewed as egalitarian—not just by the Greeks but also by travelers from other regions, including India. As of today, over 600 Scythian female warrior graves have been confirmed. According to some scholars, Greek men may have incorporated their fear of Scythian fighting women into their myths because they were frightened by them, and it was a way control the narrative. But there is little doubt that the myths were designed to fuel the gender imbalance in Greek society and suppress the idea of strong women.

Amazons Today: Super Heroes and Wonder Woman
There has been an inversion in the ancient Greek image of Amazons in American culture. The Amazon archetype was introduced in American media through 1940s comics and has persisted in 21st-century superhero films and video games. Fictional Amazons appear in popular culture, including Wonder Woman, Katniss Everdeen, and several Disney princesses. In his book Super Heroes: A Modern Mythology, Richard Reynolds described Wonder Woman as a “re-coded Amazon figure adapted for American ideological values.” And Patty Jenkins, director of the 2017 Wonder Woman movie, tells us what Wonder Woman’s new mythology is designed to convey:

 “We need a new kind of hero. It’s easy to be a hero. You do it because of what you believe, not because of what other people deserve. I wanted to talk about the fact that we can’t defeat the evils upon us by slaying one villain. We’re facing a time where each country has such legitimate complaints against each other, and this has all been going on for so long that if we’re going to come to a world of peace in the future, we have to lay down the past and become responsible heroes ourselves. Often what that requires is love and peace instead of battle. That is a hugely important message to the world right now from my perspective.” Interview with Gina McIntyre of Rolling Stone (June 2017).

Middle-Grade Myth

This new view of Amazons as proud fighting women with genuinely equal status to men has also entered the middle-grade adventure genre. Age-appropriate mythic heroines abound. Their presence teaches resilience, teamwork, and gender norms. The typical adaptations include protagonists who train with Amazons, live in Amazon societies, and embody modern mythology.  Rather than bloodthirsty tropes, the themes center on mentors, justice, and rites of passage.

Some Mythic Heroines That Middle-Grade Readers Love

The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series — Rick Riordan
Girls play important roles in this series. Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena, is a tactical fighter and a central heroic figure. She is known for her intelligence, bravery, and strategic thinking. She appears throughout the series and often acts as a skilled warrior and the voice of reason. There are other notable girls in the series as well. Clarisse La Rue, daughter of Ares, is fierce and competitive, as is Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus, who is also strong and rebellious. They contribute significantly to the plots, highlighting the importance of female heroes and breaking gender stereotypes.

The Heroes of Olympus series — Rick Riordan
This series continues the mythic world with new quests and more focus on Roman/Greek hero dynamics. Several mighty female warriors (including Annabeth, the Hunters, and other demigoddesses) play significant roles.

The Trials of Apollo series — Rick Riordan
Greek gods, demigods, and warrior orders return in this follow-up series; characters who are seasoned fighters and members of Artemis’ band appear, and female heroism remains a recurring theme.

Percy Jackson and the Olypians series

Percy Jackson and the Olympians series

The Goddess Girls series — Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

The series retells myths through young female characters in a boarding-school setting on Mount Olympus. Their adventures demonstrate leadership, friendship, and collaboration.

The Goddess Girls

The Goddess Girls

The Olympians graphic novel series — George O’Connor
These are middle-grade graphic novel retellings of Greek myths, in which volumes are dedicated to Athena, Artemis, and other goddesses and heroes highlight combat prowess, strategy, and warrior myth. The visuals emphasize the strength and agency of mythic women.

D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths — Ingri & Edgar Parin d’Aulaire
In print for fifty years, these classic illustrated retellings of Greek myths for younger readers include stories of warrior women—Atalanta, the Amazons, and Athena—and present their deeds in an accessible manner for middle-grade audiences.

Book of Greek Myths

Olympians

Olympians

People sometimes say change is beneficial; other times, it’s readily recognized as detrimental. In this case, the shift from ancient Amazon to contemporary girl hero is welcome. We shouldn’t ignore the toxic origins rooted in the classics, but we can also appreciate the rejection of that complex, bloodthirsty figure for contemporary middle-grade audiences. © C. M. Surrisi

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Author Spotlight: John Claude Bemis + a GIVEAWAY

By on January 15, 2026   /   Articles, Author Interviews, Giveaways   /   2 Comments

In today’s Author Spotlight, Jo Hackl chats with award-winning author John Claude Bemis about his new graphic novel, Rodeo Hawkins & the Daughters of Mayhem.  John Claude Bemis is the author of seven middle-grade novels, and a picture book. A former elementary school teacher, John earned his Master’s of Education in Literacy from UNC Chapel Hill and taught fourth and fifth grades for thirteen years. He received the Excellence in Teaching Award from UNC-Chapel Hill for his work as an author-presenter in schools and served as North Carolina’s Piedmont Laureate for Children’s Literature, promoting literacy and the literary arts. A popular instructor and inspiring guide to writers of all ages—kids, teens, and adults— he teaches creative writing workshops and leads retreats around the world. Beyond the creative expression of writing, John is also a sculptural mask-maker, a songwriter, and musician. He lives with his wife and daughter in Hillsborough, North Carolina.

Plus, there’s a chance to win a copy of Rodeo Hawkins & the Daughters of Mayhem if you enter the giveaway. Scroll down for details.

All about the book!

Foster kid Sidney Poblocki is thrilled to learn his destiny is to save the multiverse—until he discovers it’s actually his destiny to destroy it—in this fantasy adventure graphic novel!

Get ready for Mayhem!

When Sidney Poblocki runs away from his troubled home life, he winds up in a whole new world of trouble. Why are interdimensional assassins after him along with every other kid named Sidney Poblocki throughout the multiverse? Will he ever see his best bud Walt again now that Walt’s memory of Sidney has been erased? And what the heck is the deal with Rodeo Hawkins and her ragtag gang of mischief-making girls the Daughters of Mayhem?!

They claim they’re trying to keep him safe, but Sidney isn’t so certain “safe” is even in their vocabulary. As Sidney is swept into a series of misadventures that will change the multiverse forever, one thing is for certain: with Rodeo Hawkins around, his life is about to be filled with a lot more mayhem.

Jo:  John, many thanks for answering my questions. Rodeo Hawkins and the Daughters of Mayhem takes readers on a rip-roaring adventure across the multiverse. Your main character, Sidney Poblocki, is relatable, fun and witty.  Can you tell us about your process for creating him?

John: With all these weirdo characters, my goal was for Sidney to be the most relatable. He’s not talented or exceptional in any way. He’s just a rather sweet guy who wants to belong. He wants to find “his people,” which is hard when he doesn’t know who to trust or why these powerful people are all after him.

The Daughters of Mayhem are pretty mischievous, especially Rodeo! She can get so caught up in mischief-making that she doesn’t always consider how others feel. I needed that yin-yang, sweet-and-salty balance between Sidney and Rodeo.

 

Jo: Rodeo Hawkins is mysterious and brave and demonstrates girl-power at its best. Can you tell us about your process for creating her? 

John: I love a character with a mysterious backstory. Rodeo seems like a kid—and she is a kid, I suppose—but she’s also a powerful cosmic being. If you give an overconfident kid so many powers, they’re not only a danger to their enemies, but also to their friends. By making Rodeo an outrageously big personality, I knew I could get a lot of humor and thrills out of her.

 

Jo: Your plot is a fast-paced, complex and adventure-filled romp across the multiverse.  Can you tell us about your process of writing it? 

John: I began this project expecting it to become a traditional novel. But when the first ideas started filling my head so quickly, I had to capture them as fast as humanly possible. So, I decided to start with a barebones draft in script format. Just the dialogue and simple stage directions. But once I got into it, I quickly realized how this story wanted—needed!—to be a graphic novel instead.

 

Jo: This is your first graphic novel but you have written extensively for young readers.  Can you tell us about how your process was different for writing a graphic novel versus a traditional novel in prose? 

John: It’s a very different process. With a traditional novel, you’re telling the story entirely with words. With comics, you’re writing a script that the illustrator will turn into the vehicle for the story. There’s less room to explain or even provide direct access to a character’s thoughts. You really have to show, rather than tell.

Jo: Who was your favorite character to write? Why?

John: Rodeo, for sure. While she’s incredibly powerful and fearless, she has major flaws. She’s arrogant. She doesn’t always know how to be a good friend. In fact, even though she’s a good guy, she operates more like a villain. Often, we love villains because they don’t play by the rules and are so uninhibited. Rodeo is definitely that way. It made her hilarious to play with in my imagination and on the page.

 

Jo: Your story takes us across the multiverse and involves portals and magical items such as the “plunger of truth,” weaponized bubble gum, and the “counter punch powder.”  Can you tell us about your brainstorming process? 

John: It was simply unleashing all the weirdest, wackiest ideas from my imagination. I had this guiding approach of basing the magic around things that had strong kid appeal like candy or toilet plungers. I let the humor shape the world building.

 

Jo: What was your favorite scene to write? Why?

John: There’s a scene where Rodeo drags Sidney off to this interdimensional biker bar to get the plunger of truth. It was fun to write because of how rapid fire the jokes are. Poor Sidney is totally bewildered and out of his depth. And Rodeo is at her most absurd and terrifying. I think it’s where it registers for Sidney how legendary Rodeo is as a “cosmic menace.”

 

Jo: What would you most like for readers to take away from Rodeo Hawkins and the Daughters of Mayhem?

John: Just fun. I write to make kids have fun reading books.

 

Jo: Already your book is a reader favorite.  What has been your favorite reader response?

John: I’ve had several kids say to me already, “I wish I was a Daughter of Mayhem.” I always tell them, “You already are.”

 

Jo: What can readers look for in the sequel, Rodeo Hawkins and the Sons of Disaster? 

John: The sequel continues the misadventures of Sidney, Rodeo, and the Daughters of Mayhem as a vengeful enemy sets a trap using Sidney’s best bud from his old life. It’s been so much fun dreaming up new dangers and new hilarity for this wacky cast of characters.

Lightning Round!

No MUF interview is complete without a lightning round, so. . . .

Favorite cities (besides the one in which you live):

Venice

Favorite musical group or artist:

Johnny Cash

Would you rather be able to speak every language in the world or talk to animals?

Every language. I love to talk to locals when I travel.

Favorite ice cream flavor?

Any combo with chocolate and something weird.

Do you prefer mountains or beaches or somewhere in between?

Mountains.

Favorite childhood TV show?

There was a campy Dungeons & Dragons TV series from the 80’s that I loved.

What is the best writing advice you have ever received?

That classic gem: “Write the story only you could write.” It’s my guiding star with everything I do.

Jo: Thanks for chatting with us John! And now. . . .

For a chance to win a copy of Rodeo Hawkins and the Daughters of Mayhem, comment on the blog—and, if you’re on Twitter/X, on the Mixed-Up Files Twitter/X account, for an extra chance to win!  (Giveaway ends January 22, 2026 MIDNIGHT EST.) U.S. only, please. 

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