Spilling Ink: A Young Writer's Handbook

by Potter, Ellen; Phelan, Matt; Mazer, Anne

• ISBN13: 9781596435148
• ISBN10: 1596435143
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-03-30
• Publisher: Flash Point

Summary

LEARN#xA0;HOW TO WRITE LIKE THE EXPERTS, FROM THE EXPERTS. #xA0; Practical advice in a perfect package for young aspiring writers. #xA0; After receiving letters from fans asking for writing advice,accomplished authors Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter joined together to create this guidebook for young writers. The authors mix inspirational anecdotes with practical guidance on how to find a voice, develop characters and plot, make revisions, and overcome writer's block. Fun writing prompts will help young writers jump-start their own projects, and encouragement throughout will keep them at work.

Author Biography

Author of THE SALAMANDER ROOM, THE SISTER MAGIC series, and the bestselling ABBY HAYES series, ANNE MAZER lives in Ithaca, New York.

ELLEN POTTER, author of the award-winning OLIVIA KIDNEY series, Pish Posh, and Slob , lives in upstate New York.

 

Matt Phelan illustrated the 2007 Newbery Medal winner THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY by Susan Patron. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

 “Books on how to write can be boring, but this one is packed with funny tales from the authors’ lives, lively examples, cheerful illustrations, and practical advice. These authors know that writing should be fun, and they remind us on every page. If telling stories is your thing, this is definitely your book.” —Discovery Girls magazine

“Cogent and invaluable.”—Publishers Weekly

“The best of recent volumes on the subject.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Two fine writers put their heads together and come up with an equally fine guide to their craft for beginners.” —Booklist

“A solid overview of the tools for literary analysis and evaluation” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Even students who never thought of writing, or dread the thought of writing, might want to try it as they read the ideas and suggestions packed into this book…The book’s gems are also useful for teachers looking for new ways to get their students writing.” —Library Media Connection magazine

“For years I have been thinking about writing a HOW TO book for kids who want to write. Now I don’t have to. Anne and Ellen have crafted such a wonderful, funny, wise book about how to craft a wonderful, funny, wise book that when eager young writers send me a letter seeking my advice I can now simply say, ‘Read this!’ My hat is off to this dynamic duo.” —Bruce Coville,  author of Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
  
“The singular, intense yet funny voice of SPILLING INK shares advice—how to convince your characters they are alive, avoid noisy dialog tags, wear sunglasses to feel like a spy—with much lively wisdom, and nary a hint of adult condescension. An outstanding book.”  —Nancy Springer, author of The Enola Holmes Mystery series

“Practical and delightful…this book will be a terrific for both libraries and classrooms.” —VOYA