A guide from bestselling author Alice Kuipers on how to write for children and young adults—from igniting an initial idea to creating a finished draft
In Spark, acclaimed children’s and YA author Alice Kuipers shares her rules for writing for readers both young and young at heart, all while discussing the importance of travelling through passion, purpose, joy, and fear across the creative process.
In each chapter, Kuipers explores key aspects of writing for young readers—from voice and character to setting and plot—and provides examples and exercises to help you develop your story. Drawing on her experience as an author and writing coach, Kuipers shares crucial tips, tricks, and techniques that make all the difference for writers, along with some highs and lows of her own writing journey.
Spark is open, honest, and practical—a must-read for aspiring authors and literature fans alike that shows you how to become the writer you’ve always wanted to be.
Authors
- Pages
- 256
- Published in
- Canada
- Series
- Writers on Writing
Table of Contents
- CONTENTS 9
- INTRODUCTION 19
- IDEAS 31
- CHAPTER 1 EXERCISES 43
- ROOTS 47
- CHAPTER 2 EXERCISES 54
- The OPTIONS for WRITING for YOUNG READERS 57
- OVERVIEW 57
- CHAPTER 3 EXERCISES 67
- The OPTIONS for WRITING for YOUNG READERS 69
- PICTURE BOOKS CHAPTER BOOKS 69
- CHAPTER 4 EXERCISES 84
- The OPTIONS for WRITING for YOUNG READERS 87
- MIDDLE GRADE YOUNG ADULT BOOKS 87
- CHAPTER 5 EXERCISES 103
- FINDING TIME FINDING YOUR FLOW 107
- CHAPTER 6 EXERCISES 118
- STORYTELLING 121
- CHAPTER 7 EXERCISES 135
- CHARACTER 137
- CHAPTER 8 EXERCISES 148
- SCENES SETTINGS 151
- CHAPTER 9 EXERCISES 165
- DRAFTING YOUR BOOK 169
- CHAPTER 10 EXERCISES 178
- EDITING 183
- CHAPTER 11 EXERCISES 201
- WHAT HAPPENS NEXT 205
- CHAPTER 12 EXERCISES 224
- YOUR WRITING LIFE 227
- CHAPTER 13 EXERCISES 237
- PLACES TO GO 239
- FURTHER READING 239
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 259
