Selected Articles from Cross & Quill

Idella Bodie retired as a high school English and Creative Writing teacher from South Aiken High School in 1985 after teaching for 31 years. Mrs. Bodie has been writing for young readers for more than thirty years. Her first book, The Secret of Telfair Inn, published in 1971 by Sandlapper Publishing is still in print. She is now the author of 25 books for upper elementary and middle school students. Her books involve South Carolina history and geography. Some of Mrs. Bodie’s books are used in schools across South Carolina having been incorporated into school curriculums. Most recently, she completed a series about heroes and heroines of the Revolutionary War after eight and a half years of researching and writing.

Mrs. Bodie says she writes about more than historical places in South Carolina. “I always try to focus on the people when I write about history,” she said. “Character is the most important thing."

Idella was born in Ridge Spring, South Carolina. She holds a degree in English from Columbia College. She is a contributor to Highlights, Cricket, Mature Living and to Guideposts Magazine, She is listed in Gale’s Something About the Author (volumes 12 and 89), which can be found in the research section of public libraries.

Awards and honors include:

Three of her books have been South Carolina Book Award nominees.

A 1980 winner of the Guideposts National Writing Competition.

The Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution honored her for the Heroes and Heroines of the American Revolution series.

South Aiken High School has a writing award in her honor.

Her Alma Mater, Columbia College, presented her the Wil Lou Gray Outstanding Educator Award in 1988, and Toastmasters, the International Communication Award. South Carolina Library gave her a lifetime membership for the preservation of South Carolina's literary heritage.

Eight Ingredients in Teen Fiction

Idella Bodie, Aiken, South Carolina

1. A catchy title that pulls the reader into the story but does not give away the ending. Once you know the theme of your story, you should be able to come up with a catchy title. Alliteration attracts attention. Remember, too, the title will suggest the atmosphere or kind of story you’ve written.

2. An opening scene showing the main character, often called point of view, with a problem or goal unlike any he/she has experienced. You need a likeable character but not a “goody-goody.” The reader must care about this character and pull for him to get out of his predicament or reach his goal.

3. Each character’s voice should be as real as the family next door. Realistic dialogue not only makes each character an individual, it also moves the plot toward the ending and makes the story more interesting.

4. Sense-appealing nouns and vivid verbs make readers feel they are on the scene. Sensory images can show action and emotion rather than telling about them.

5. A story with single focus on the problem. Telling things that happened before the story opened bores readers. A quick flashback with dialogue or a short monologue can catch the reader up on what he needs to know.

6. A “Takeaway” the reader can apply to his own life. Without being “preachy” the writer can show in a subtle way what the main character has learned. The reader can carry this over to his own life.

7. Tight writing with vivid verbs and specific nouns. Redundant words weaken writing. Reading stories aloud can help weed them.

8. A satisfying ending for the reader. The main character does not have to solve his problem, but he must grow in maturity.

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