So You Want to Be a Writer! Guidebooks for Teens

Craft of Writing: Fiction Craft of Writing: Fiction / Dan Elish

In the Craft of Writing series, aspiring writers will discover that-like carpentry, computer programming, or calculus, but often infinitely more fun-writing is a craft that anyone can learn. Talent helps, but persistence and following some basic rules of the trade are crucial. from fiction to journalism, with playwriting, screenwriting, and poetry in between, readers will learn about the history of the art form as well as getting practical tips on how to go about writing and selling their work. Each book has a chapter full of exercises for the aspiring writer, and all of the books in this series are written by professionals in the field. Also in the series: Plays, Poetry, Screenplays 

The DC Comics guide to writing comics The DC Comics guide to writing comics / Dennis O'Neil

Discusses basic elements of comic book writing including script writing, story development, subplots, and character development. For any writer who wants to become an expert comic-book storyteller, The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics is the definitive, one-stop resource! You will discover the various methods of writing scripts (full script vs. plot first), as well as procedures for developing a story structure, building subplots, creating well-rounded characters, and much more. There is also an explanation of the many diverse formats for comic books, including graphic novels, maxi-series, mega-series, and adaptation. Of course, there are also dozens of guidelines for writing proposals to editors that command attention and get results. 

Grammar Girl presents the ultimate writing guide for students Grammar Girl presents the ultimate writing guide for students / Mignon Fogarty

For beginners to more advanced students, this guide covers it all: the parts of speech, sentences, and punctuation are all explained clearly and concisely with the warmth, wit, and accessibility Grammar Girl is known for. Pop quizzes are scattered throughout to reinforce the explanations, as well as Grammar Girl's trademark Quick and Dirty Tips--easy and fun memory tricks to help with those challenging rules.

Complete with a writing style chapter and a guide to the different kinds of writing--everything from school papers to letter writing to creative writing to e-mails--this guide is sure to become the one-stop, essential book on every student's desk. 

Immersed in verse : an informative, slightly irreverent & totally tremendous guide to living the poet's life Immersed in verse : an informative, slightly irreverent & totally tremendous guide to living the poet's life / Allan Wolf

Contains advice, ideas, writing activities, and encouragement from a working poet for aspiring poets. Includes poems by a variety of poets from the unknown to the famous, including Langston Hughes, e.e. cummings, Eve Merriam, and more. 

Just Write: Here's How Just Write: Here's How / Walter Dean Myers

After writing more than one hundred books, it still amazes me that I have been lucky enough to spend most of my life doing what I truly love: writing. What makes a writer? The desire to tell a story, a love of language, an eye for detail, practice, practice, practice. How well should you know your characters? Do you need to outline before you write? How important is length? Now Walter Dean Myers, the new National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, walks you through the writing process.

Poetry Matters: Writing a Poem from the Inside Out Poetry Matters: Writing a Poem from the Inside Out / Ralph J. Fletcher

Maybe you've heard before that poetry is magic, and it made you roll your eyes, but I believe it's true. Poetry matters. At the most important moments, when everyone else is silent, poetry rises to speak. I wrote this book to help you write poems and to give practical ideas for making your poems sound the way you want them to sound. We're not going to smash poems up into the tiniest pieces. This book is about writing poetry, not analyzing it. I want this book to help you have more wonderful. moments in the poetry you write. I want you to feel the power of poetry. it's my hope that through this book you will discover lots of ways to make your poems shine, sing, soar... 

Reflections: On the Magic of Writing Reflections: On the Magic of Writing / Diana Wynne Jones

This collection of more than twenty-five critical essays, speeches, and biographical pieces chosen by Diana Wynne Jones before her death in 2011 is essential reading for the author's many fans and for students and teachers of the fantasy genre and creative writing in general. The volume includes insightful literary criticism alongside autobiographical anecdotes, revelations about the origins of the author's books, and reflections about the life of an author and the value of writing for young people. Reflections features the author's final interview, a foreword by award-winning author Neil Gaiman, and an introduction by Charlie Butler, a senior lecturer in English at the University of West England in Bristol.

Rip the page! : adventures in creative writing Rip the page! : adventures in creative writing / Karen Benke

This is the everything-you-need guide to spark new poems and unstick old stories, with zany prompts to leap from ; dares and double dares to help you mash up truths and lies into outrageous paragraphs ; letters of encouragement written directly to you from famous authors. This is your journal for inward-bound adventures -- use it to write, brainstorm, explore, imagine -- and even rip! 

Seeing the Blue Between: Advice and Inspiration for Young Poets Seeing the Blue Between: Advice and Inspiration for Young Poets / compiled by Paul B. Janeczko

This compilation features letters and poems from 32 internationally renowned poets who provide words of wisdom and inspiring examples of their own work. Contributors include Kalli Dakos, Rob Farnsworth, Bobbi Katz, Jack Prelutsky, and Jane Yolen.

Seize the Story: A Handbook for Teens Who Like to Write Seize the Story: A Handbook for Teens Who Like to Write / Victoria Hanley

Supplemented by interviews with successful authors of teen literature—including T. A. Barron, Jona Bauer, Chris Crutcher, and Lauren Myracle, among others—this book presents all the elements of fiction, from creating believable dialogue to executing an exciting plot, through real story excerpts. Packed with tips, tricks, and writing exercises from an award-winning author of teen fiction, the guide encourages teen writers to write creatively and explore all the elements and responsibilities of fiction. With the book's goal of building competent, satisfied young authors, you will be emboldened to write the stories that are yours alone to tell.

Spiritual journaling : writing your way to independence Spiritual journaling : writing your way to independence / Julie Tallard Johnson

Johnson encourages young people to discover their own unique voices by offering guidance on writing and other forms of self-expression and self-dialogue and on learning how to listen to inner wisdom. As readers move through the book and write in their own personal journals, they gain insight about themselves--knowledge reflected in their own words and the writing of other young people included in the book. The journaling tools provided include meditations, consulting oracles, writing poetry, visualizations, writing rituals, and problem solving around spiritual questions. 

This is not a writing manual : notes for the young writer in the real world This is not a writing manual : notes for the young writer in the real world / Kerri Majors

Focuses on the skills and techniques necessary for good writing and combines inspirational anecdotes and writing prompts with practical writing guidance on how to develop characters and plot, make revisions, and overcome writer's block.

Thrice told tales Thrice told tales / Catherine Lewis

Three not-so-helpless blind mice demystify useful literary elements, sharing lighthearted language secrets and absurdist rules that include coverage of the differences between "bildungsroman," "epigram" and "epistolary." You will learn an amazing amount of information about becoming an effective writer by reading and using this book. 

Wild Ink: Success Secrets to Writing and Publishing in the Young Adult Market Wild Ink: Success Secrets to Writing and Publishing in the Young Adult Market / Victoria Hanley

What do you need to know to break in to the flourishing young adult (YA) market? With humor and a solid grounding in reality, author Victoria Hanley helps readers understand the ins and outs of the YA genre, how to stay inspired, and how to avoid common mistakes writers make in trying to reach teens. This book includes unique writing exercises to help readers find their own authentic teen voice and dozens of interviews with YA authors, blogging experts, editors, and agents to give inspiration and guidance for getting published. Chapters include writing exercises and self-editing techniques tailored to YA, along with encouraging words on dealing with self-doubt, rejection, and lack of time.

Write your own article : newspaper, magazine, online Write your own article : newspaper, magazine, online / Sara Gilbert

This book will help you learn how to find ideas and then find supporting evidence to write clearly about those ideas. It contains brainstorming and training activities to sharpen your writing skills. Tips and advice from news writers and examples from their own work will also help you. 

Write Your Own Graphic Novel Write Your Own Graphic Novel / Natalie M. Rosinsky

Readers become writers with tips from expert authors, writing activities, excerpts from well-known works, and a writer's timeline to help translate imagination into real stories. 

Writing and Publishing: The Ultimate Teen Guide Writing and Publishing: The Ultimate Teen Guide / Tina P. Schwartz

In this book, author Tina Schwartz discusses many matters that are not often presented in guides to writing and publishing, such as the importance of mentors and critique groups, as well as courses and extracurricular activities that can be of great help to the up-and-coming teen author. The book explores various writing careers and the basics of publishing and marketing, including how to write query letters. Schwartz also provides tips on writing both fiction and nonfiction, as well as genres a new author can explore, like poetry and songwriting.

Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly / Gail Carson Levine

Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine shares her secrets of making magic with your writing.