Rotary

Rotary's worldwide reach set the book in Africa, not New York. Tish Rabe wrote a kindness book for Rotary, Kindness Is Caring, Friendship Is Sharing. Because Rotary is a worldwide organization, she set the story of Amani on the African plains rather than in a New York school.

The ending she needed for the book also produced the lion in the middle of the story.

How I Write

Rabe wrote the Rotary book's last page before its first. She wrote the ending about Amani and the zebras first, so she knew what the story had to prove. Then she asked what had to happen in the middle to earn it, and the lion came from that.

She learned the method from Sesame Street writers, who wrote comic skits in reverse, punch line first. Quote: "One of the big things was to write the ending first."

How I Write▶ 5:05

The Rotary book makes readers care about Amani before the lion arrives. The story runs from a beginning on the African plains, to a middle with the hungry lion, to an end where everyone is safe and friends. Kids learn Amani's name and that she gives flowers to friends before any danger appears.

Rabe says the key component of a story is that the reader cares about the character before anything goes wrong. Quote: "You've got to be emotionally invested in what's what."

How I Write▶ 25:04