Details
Synopsis
Provides advice for those who want to become writers, discussing such topics as telling a good story, creating heroes and villains, and playing with words.
| Size | | Height: | 9.5 in | | Width: | 6.5 in | | Thickness: | 0.8 in | | Weight: | 11.2 oz |
Industry Reviews
Gr 4-7 Although the focus here is on writing for publication, Seuling covers much of the same ground traveled by the predecessors she cites for further reading. It is this excellent list and other appendixes that give the book its value; they include suggestions of publishers who accept the work of young writers, Internet sites, camps and activities, and contests and prizes. The first few chapters, however, do not offer much that is new or exciting. Finding good ideas, developing believable characters, plotting an intriguing story line all have been discussed in a plethora of books for students and teachers of writing. There is also some confusion as to the audience for this book. Although most of the literary examples cited might be recognizable to intermediate grade readers, many students will not be familiar with Melville's Ahab or Bront?'s Heathcliff. Books of this genre may be useful for teaching writing at the elementary and middle school levels, but there are not many young people who will pick them up on their own. If your collection already has Marion Dane Bauer's What's Your Story? (Clarion, 1992), Sandy Asher's Where Do You Get Your Ideas? (1987) and Wild Words (1989, both Walker), or Sylvia Cassedy's In Your Own Words (Crowell, 1990; o.p.), this one is not a primary acquisition. Martha Rosen, Edgewood School, Scarsdale, NY
Lopate
Gr 4-7 Although the focus here is on writing for publication, Seuling covers much of the same ground traveled by the predecessors she cites for further reading. It is this excellent list and other appendixes that give the book its value; they include suggestions of publishers who accept the work of young writers, Internet sites, camps and activities, and contests and prizes. The first few chapters, however, do not offer much that is new or exciting. Finding good ideas, developing believable characters, plotting an intriguing story line all have been discussed in a plethora of books for students and teachers of writing. There is also some confusion as to the audience for this book. Although most of the literary examples cited might be recognizable to intermediate grade readers, many students will not be familiar with Melville's Ahab or Bront‰'s Heathcliff. Books of this genre may be useful for teaching writing at the elementary and middle school levels, but there are not many young people who will pick them up on their own. If your collection already has Marion Dane Bauer's What's Your Story? (Clarion, 1992), Sandy Asher's Where Do You Get Your Ideas? (1987) and Wild Words (1989, both Walker), or Sylvia Cassedy's In Your Own Words (Crowell, 1990; o.p.), this one is not a primary acquisition. Martha Rosen, Edgewood School, Scarsdale, NY
School Library Journal (08/01/1997)
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