Write Now! The Ultimate, Grab-a-Pen, Get-the-Words-Right, Have-a-Blast Writing Book

by Rhatigan, Joe; Pollak, Barbara; Newcomb, Rain; Gunter, Veronika

• ISBN13: 9781579906214
• ISBN10: 1579906214
• Format: Spiral Bound
• Copyright: 2005-06-01
• Publisher: Lark Books

Summary

Joe Rhatigan, author of the bestsellingIn Print, has come up with a new and unique guide to writing that's not only instructive, but irresistible fun. Here's the "write" way to get kids aged 10 and above excited about putting their words on the page. Throughout, there's space (ranging from a few lines to an entire page) where youngsters can actually write, and colorful graphic illustrations to capture their eyes and interest. "Story starters" encourage even the most intimidated children to begin work. Dozens of smart suggestions, from looking closely at everyday objects to searching their memories, help kids with writer's block break through the inevitable barriers to creativity. Collaborative activities and brainstorming techniques plant creative seeds that will lead to fruitful writing. Youngsters will learn why even a terrible first draft can provide the foundation for a masterpiece. They'll discover ways to grab the audience's attention, and find out time-tested editing tricks for improving skills. And because every good author wants to see his or her work in print, there are ideas on publishing, too. Also Available: In Print! "This attractive book includes many projects that showcase poetry and writing. The emphasis is...on crafts to encourage kids to turn their writing into gifts or visually appealing projects. Full-color photos of kids and their finished projects appear on every spread. Full of ideas not easily found elsewhere."--School Library Journal

Table of Contents

The Most Interesting Introduction Ever!	6	(2)
How to Use This Book	8	(2)
Ready, Set, Write!	10	(40)
Write What You Know	12	(2)
List Mania!	14	(2)
Freewriting	16	(2)
Wading Through the Muck	18	(1)
Dialogue for Complete Strangers	19	(3)
Ripped from the Headlines!	22	(2)
Once Upon a Time	24	(2)
All About Me	26	(2)
Random List Story Starters	28	(2)
Get Unstuck with Magnets	30	(2)
The Tragic Flaw	32	(2)
Change History	34	(3)
What Writers Write	37	(1)
From Photographs to Paragraphs	38	(2)
Listen In	40	(2)
From Rags to Riches	42	(2)
Strange New World	44	(3)
Still-Stuck Busters	47	(2)
What!? You Found an Idea!	49	(1)
Are You Stuck?	50	(34)
Your First Line of Attack	52	(1)
Make a Muse	53	(1)
Doodle for Your Noodle	54	(2)
Untangle Your Writing	56	(2)
Got Plot?	58	(2)
Your Plot Roller Coaster	60	(2)
Is Your Main Character Bored?	62	(2)
Whodunit? The Mysteries of Mystery Writing Revealed	64	(3)
Main Character at the Wheel	67	(3)
A Secret Dialogue	70	(3)
Says Who?	73	(3)
Writing Horror Stories	76	(2)
Lights, Camera, Storyboard!	78	(4)
Mr. Not-So-Scary Writing Teacher to the Rescue	82	(2)
Getting Better All the Time	84	(36)
Cut and Tape	86	(1)
Editing Marks	87	(1)
On the Operating Table	88	(4)
Don't Say the Old Lady Screamed	92	(2)
The Amazing ``So What?'' ``What Else?'' Revising Method	94	(1)
Sensory Details	95	(3)
Figurative Language	98	(2)
Get Inside the Heart and Mind of Your Characters	100	(3)
Better Dialogue	103	(1)
Get Active	104	(2)
Take One Last Look Around	106	(1)
The Proofreading Plan	107	(1)
Proofing Part 1: Spelling	108	(1)
Proofing Part 2: Punctuation	109	(1)
Proofing Part 3: Other Common Mistakes	110	(5)
Get Some Feedback	115	(3)
Get Your Words Out There	118	(1)
You're at the End of the Book. Now What?	119	(1)
Appendix	120	(7)
Words That Matter	127	(1)
Index	128