Writing Magic

WRITING MAGIC, CREATING STORIES THAT FLY
By Gail Carson Levine
Collins, 2006

Category: Middle-grade non-fiction

Are you in elementary school or middle school or even high school? Do you like to write stories of your own? Would you like to hear some words of encouragement and wisdom from a successful children’s book writer with more than ten novels and a Newbery Honor Medal to her credit? Well, then, put a copy of Gail Carson Levine’s WRITING MAGIC on your wish list.

WRITING MAGIC is packed with lessons on basic writing skills: how to create vital characters, realistic dialogue, intriguing beginnings, satisfying endings, and compelling stories in between. It is also chockablock with advice on how to keep at your writing: “If someone says that your story is lousy or that you can’t write to save yourself, you must never, ever show your precious writing to that person again.” The pièce de résistance, in my opinion, are the writing prompts that close every chapter. Levine is a truly creative spirit and her writing prompts are simply irresistible. I don’t think it is possible to finish this book and not feel ready to fly. (And by fly, of course, I mean write truly fabulous fiction.)

WRITING MAGIC has been nominated for a 2007 CYBIL award. You can check out the other nominees in the Middle Grade & YA Nonfiction category here.