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Hi All! It’s been a whirlwind of a year and a long time, no blog post type of year. But! I’m back at it. Over the last few months, I have started interning for the amazing, award-winning author Cynthia Leitich Smith on her Cynsations blog. You can catch me interviewing authors, creating social media content, and writing articles. I’ve […]

Welcome to Breebender.com! I am in the process of updating my website and should have it completed soon. Take a look around and check back for updates, book recommendations, and resources. Thanks for stopping by!

Today, I want students to write a short story set in space. It needs to have a beginning, middle, and end. There are no time restrictions, but aim for at least a page of writing. Think about the following questions: Characters: Who is your protagonist (main character)? Who are your supporting characters? What do they […]

Today, I want to try something different. Since most of our learning will be taking place online over the next month or so, I want to take a moment to breathe. To step outside and observe. Do you have a backyard or patio? How about a big picture window that looks outside? The goal is […]

Today, I want you to create a toy store that comes to life after the doors close. What does the store look like? What kind of toys does it sell? What do the toys do when they come to life? How do they come to life? Is it by magic or a single toy that […]

I’ve been working on revisions to my current middle grade novel while I’m plotting a new novel. Right now, I’m thinking about the setting and where the new story takes place. Which brings me to today’s writing prompt. Let’s talk about setting. When we write stories, they have to take place somewhere, right? Think about […]

When I was little, one of my favorite places to visit was my grandparent’s old farmhouse. It was tucked away on a few acres with a long gravel driveway, a sprawling front porch that was supported by giant columns covered in peeling white paint. There were nooks and crannies only a child could find (and […]

Cynsations– This is the online home of the award-wining author Cynthia Leitich Smith. Her website is filled with children’s and young adult literature resources, industry knowledge and insight, author interviews, and so much more. (As of September 2020, I am currently working as an Intern for Cynsations). Inkygirl– Inkygirl is the online home of author/illustrator […]

Hi All, I’m sorry I’ve been missing in action for the last month, but I wanted to update you. Of course the pandemic has uprooted everyone’s idea of normal causing us to revaluate our situations and adapt to an ever changing world. As a result, my husband and I have been working from home with […]

It’s been a while since I’ve shared some of my favorite resources and, if you’re like me, you love a good book on the writing craft. Below are some of my favorites, but I recommend craft books with a caveat. A great writer (Margaret Bechard) once told me that craft books can be a lot […]