Writing STEM into your fictional story can seem daunting to say the least. Besides developing your character’s arc, including lyrical, fun to read language you now want to add science to your manuscript! Oh, you brave beautiful soul!

But when you nail it, these manuscripts are awe-inspiring. They spark new interest. They help readers learn about the world around them. They make readers dream that more is possible.

So how do you achieve fictional STEM greatness?

I think Laura’s tip for STEMLOVE hits the nail on the head. She says, “let children’s curiosity lead them to experiment. That’s what real scientists do. It doesn’t matter if it ‘works’ because experimentation is how we learn and discover.”
​
And as writers, we should do the same with our stories. Let your curiosity guide you. Don’t worry about whether or not it works. Experiment. Ask what if? See where your story takes you. You might be surprised. Or horrified. Either way, your STEM story will grow!
Laura is the author of ALIANNA REACHES FOR THE MOON. Learn more about her on her website. Or, learn more about her book by clicking the images below.

After my post yesterday, I can't tell you how many people scolded me for not loving nonfiction as a child.
 
But Ciara, they said, think of the photos!

Think of the lyrical language, they said.

But most importantly think about how it inspires readers to learn more about a topic.

Okay, okay, I hear you. I guess that is what makes today’s #STEMLOVE tip from June Smalls so timely.
 
June said,
“My STEM tip comes from when I was writing my book, SHE LEADS.
Keep your eyes open.
There are stories everywhere. There is a science to everything, technology for discovery, engineering created by man and beast, and math from complex physics to patterns in plants.
Keep your eyes open. Find what sparks your sense of wonder and curiosity. Then dig deep to find the heart within the facts.
 
Wow! Love it June, great thoughts. I’m inspired to find the heart of nonfiction. And now I don’t only want to write what kids love, but what I love too!

Want to get to know June and her amazing writing better, click on the pictures below. 

Want to enter for a chance to win a copy of SHE LEADS?

Retweet our tweet and tag a friend!

Greetings!
Your STEM LOVE tip comes from me today.

I never thought I would enjoy writing nonfiction.

As a child and teen, I thought nonfiction was boring. Nonfiction books should only be read when writing essays for school.

But nowadays, I love nonfiction’s vibrant photographs, the magical language, and the knowledge I gain from reading the genre.

And writing it has become even more enjoyable. I often find myself so wrapped up in my research that I will be absorbed for hours. By the end of that time, I have gathered so many facts that weaving them into a cohesive manuscript seems impossible. It’s almost like I’m walking blindfolded through a maze. I can’t see how to connect all my ideas.


That is when I have to stop myself and ask, “What’s my why?”

Why am I writing this piece?
Why will my story or book matter to a reader?
Why is this fact important to my overall goal?


Once I start asking myself about my why, I can usually see the path I need to take. Once I remember where I am headed, it becomes easier to organize my thoughts. And often times, I’m able to cut out a few facts, which makes my writing clearer and more concise.
 
So next time you feel more stuck than chewing gum in quicksand, ask yourself what’s your why?
 
I would love to hear your thoughts! Please comment below or go retweet the original STEM love tweet for a chance to win books from really cool authors. 

Or if you would like to check out my books, visit their pages by clicking the links below. :)

Nothing makes my little heart happier than that moment when I strike research gold.
“Eureka!” I shout and race back to the white page and type my little heart out.
 
A few weeks later, that happy heart crashes and burns faster than a marshmallow at a bonfire. I cannot find the website with that glorious information that tied all my STEM-tastic ideas together. Oh the woes!
 
Perhaps I am being a little dramatic, but I think we have all been there. So our first tip in our STEM LOVE week comes from Jolene.

She says,
Bookmark websites, but don't assume that a site will always be available, so print hard copies or download PDFs of the site (you can use an extension like PrintFriendly to cut out obtrusive ads and create a PDF). If you try to return to a site and it's no longer available, you can see if the Internet Archive Wayback Machine has an archived version available. 
 
And there you have it! Don’t have a burning marshmallow moment. Instead listen to Jolene. Thanks for reading! 

Want to learn more about Jolene? Visit her site.

Want to enter for a chance to win her book, retweet thE TWEET BELOW or comment below about your favorite stem TIP!

February is drawing to a close. But don’t worry! You can still feel the love. For the last week of February, these authors will be offering tips and tricks on writing STEM that this will get your hearts racing! (We hope!) Comment here or retweet our tweets for a chance to win one of the books below. Or better yet, tell us a nonfiction or STEM tip that you love.
 
Winners of the books will be announced, February 28th.