Writing Radar


Book Description

Acclaimed author Jack Gantos's guide to becoming the best brilliant writer.




Story Engineering


Book Description

What makes a good story or a screenplay great? The vast majority of writers begin the storytelling process with only a partial understanding where to begin. Some labor their entire lives without ever learning that successful stories are as dependent upon good engineering as they are artistry. But the truth is, unless you are master of the form, function and criteria of successful storytelling, sitting down and pounding out a first draft without planning is an ineffective way to begin. Story Engineering starts with the criteria and the architecture of storytelling, the engineering and design of a story--and uses it as the basis for narrative. The greatest potential of any story is found in the way six specific aspects of storytelling combine and empower each other on the page. When rendered artfully, they become a sum in excess of their parts. You'll learn to wrap your head around the big pictures of storytelling at a professional level through a new approach that shows how to combine these six core competencies which include: • Four elemental competencies of concept, character, theme, and story structure (plot) • Two executional competencies of scene construction and writing voice The true magic of storytelling happens when these six core competencies work together in perfect harmony. And the best part? Anyone can do it!




Dead End in Norvelt


Book Description

Dead End in Norvelt is the winner of the 2012 Newbery Medal for the year's best contribution to children's literature and the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction! Melding the entirely true and the wildly fictional, Dead End in Norvelt is a novel about an incredible two months for a kid named Jack Gantos, whose plans for vacation excitement are shot down when he is "grounded for life" by his feuding parents, and whose nose spews bad blood at every little shock he gets. But plenty of excitement (and shocks) are coming Jack's way once his mom loans him out to help a fiesty old neighbor with a most unusual chore—typewriting obituaries filled with stories about the people who founded his utopian town. As one obituary leads to another, Jack is launced on a strange adventure involving molten wax, Eleanor Roosevelt, twisted promises, a homemade airplane, Girl Scout cookies, a man on a trike, a dancing plague, voices from the past, Hells Angels . . . and possibly murder. Endlessly surprising, this sly, sharp-edged narrative is the author at his very best, making readers laugh out loud at the most unexpected things in a dead-funny depiction of growing up in a slightly off-kilter place where the past is present, the present is confusing, and the future is completely up in the air.




If You Want to Write


Book Description

Brenda Ueland was a journalist, editor, freelance writer, and teacher of writing. In If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit she shares her philosophies on writing and life in general. Ueland firmly believed that anyone can write, that everyone is talented, original, and has something important to say. In this book she explains how find that spark that will make you a great writer. Carl Sandburg called this book the best book ever written about how to write. Join the millions of others who've found inspiration and unlocked their own talent.




The Skin Horse


Book Description

When his owner grows too old to play with him any more, the Skin Horse is given to a children's hospital where a sick boy comes to love him.




Silent River


Book Description




How to Write a Story


Book Description

How to Write a Story is packed full of amazing activities to get your creative juices flowing! Have fun with wow words, awesome adventures and epic endings! From coming up with crazy character names, creating the perfect plot and acting out your characters, How to Write a Story will have you writing exciting page turning stories that your friends and family won't be able to put down! Full of useful tips and inspiring ideas, How to Write a Story is jam packed full of story starters, plot changers, useful words and much much more!




How to be Brilliant at Writing Stories


Book Description

These worksheets focus on the process of writing - from the initial idea gathering to redrafting and the final product. The activities recognize that a sense of audience and a sense of purpose are crucial, and allow children to feel ownership of their stories and to understand that not all stories need to be published. The activities include: getting ideas; making notes; making a plot table; planning the beginning, middle and end; making up characters; using a dictionary and thesaurus; using speech marks; different kinds of story.




How to be Brilliant at Making Books


Book Description

The making of books provides motivation and a purpose for writing. How to be Brilliant at Making Books gives children a greater appreciation and awareness of audience and helps them to develop their own critical evaluation skills. The 40 photocopiable worksheets in this book encourage a wide range of skills allowing children to compose, create, publish and respond to print. The technological side of book production involves lots of problem solving and engages children in gathering information, prioritizing, negotiating, decision-making and evaluating. The activities include: selecting an idea for a book; choosing a good title; creating an index; choosing and designing illustrations; producing preliminary pages; different types of books, e.g. pop-ups, books with windows, concertinas, pocket books, big books and diaries.




1001 Brilliant Writing Ideas


Book Description

How often do you hear your pupils cry 'what can I write about?' 1001 Brilliant Writing Ideas offers teachers endless ideas and inventive suggestions, opening up new opportunities for creative writing lessons. With over 1000 different ‘story-starters’ across a vast range of genres and narrative styles, this versatile book provides food for thought for pupils of a wide range of ages and abilities. This highly practical and richly illustrated photocopiable resource Addresses the ‘blank mind’ dilemma, offering pupils a plethora of story-writing ideas and suggestions Enables teachers to inspire pupils who struggle with creative writing Provides prompts to set ideas into motion, whilst leaving plenty of scope for original and creative thought Challenges pupils, encouraging them to use higher level thinking skills Offers mix and match stimulus pieces which can be used independently or put together to give pupils more or less support as required Any teacher whose inventiveness is flagging, and whose pupils are running out of ideas, will find this an essential classroom resource.