On Saturday, July 18, members of the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers’ Guild traded our notebooks for storybooks as we volunteered at the One Room Schoolhouse during the Columbia Farmers Market. Our goal was simple: create a space where children could read, imagine, write, and discover that stories are everywhere.
Seeds and Stories
Throughout the morning, more than 50 children stopped by to join the fun. We shared a growing stack of wonderful children’s books, including Compost Stew, Birding for Babies, The Foolish Tortoise, Growing Together, and a heartwarming story about a determined mama raccoon.
Some families sat together to enjoy a story, while others couldn’t wait to dive into the creative activities.
One favorite activity was our Story Seeds station. Children picked a writing prompt and let their imaginations take over. What happens after “The goat escaped…”? What if “The farmer was digging in the garden and discovered…” something unexpected? Every prompt led to a different adventure, reminding us that sometimes all a writer needs is a few words to get started.
Kids with Character
Our Character Creation station proved that inspiration can be found in the produce aisle (or the Farmer’s Market!). Kids transformed fruits and vegetables into unforgettable characters with names, personalities, and backstories all their own.
There was Mr. B, an evil blackberry who, for reasons known only to his creator, taught math. (Perhaps algebra really is the villain in some stories.) Poopie the Carrot, a superhero whose incredible roots gave him extraordinary powers to protect the garden, also came to life on Saturday. And yes, there was a mischievous cabbage named Jordan whose life’s mission was simply to roll around tripping unsuspecting people. We didn’t ask why. Every good story needs an antagonist.
Watching young writers create without hesitation was a wonderful reminder of something adults sometimes forget: stories don’t have to be perfect to be worth telling. They just have to begin.
A Community of Storytellers
Just as rewarding as the children’s creativity were the conversations with parents, grandparents, and caregivers. Many shared that their children love reading, writing, drawing, or telling stories at home, and it was a joy to encourage those interests and connect with families in our community.
While the Missouri Writers’ Guild is primarily an organization for adult writers, families are welcome to participate in many of our public events. Young creatives are welcome to attend alongside a parent or guardian (18+), and student memberships are available at a discounted rate. Whether you’re writing your first poem, polishing a novel, or simply encouraging the next generation of storytellers, there’s a place for you in our writing community.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Schoolhouse to read a book, write a story, draw a character, or simply say hello. We left inspired by the incredible creativity of Columbia’s youngest storytellers.
Featured photo (top) by Beth Adkins
Article by:
Bethany Spitzmiller
Bethany Spitzmiller is an editor, writing coach, and communication professional based in Columbia, Missouri. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and communication with an emphasis in Journalism from Truman State University and a master’s degree in communication from the University of Central Missouri.
Her editorial experience spans newspapers, magazines, and digital media, as well as ghostwriting for a marketing agency. Her work has appeared in high-tier publications such as Entrepreneur, Forbes, and Inc. She is also the founder of Spitzfire Editorial, where she provides freelance editing and writing coaching services.