Full Description
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 in your writing.
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, and shows you how to become the writer you've always wanted to be. Spark is open, honest, and practical—a must-read for aspiring authors and literature fans alike.
Contents
Introduction
You as a Storyteller, You as a Writer
How This Book Works
The Books I've Written
Create Your Writing Life Now
PART 1. PREWRITING
1. Ideas
Being Open to Ideas
Five Tips to Be Open to Ideas
Observation
Quieting the Inner Critic
Digging Deep for Stories
Freewriting: Joy and Fear
Regular Writing
Lost Ideas
Chapter 1 Exercises
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
2. Roots
My Reading Life
Reading Like a Writer
The Reading Lists
Chapter 2 Exercises
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
3. The Options for Writing for Young Readers: Overview
Publishing Your Book for Young Readers
Should You Write This Story?
Thinking about Your Book for Young Readers
Good Initial Rules when Writing for Young Readers
A Note on the Rules
Finding Your Possible Audience
Chapter 3 Exercises
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
4. The Options for Writing for Young Readers: Specifics for Picture Books and Chapter Books
From Picture Books to Chapter Books
Picture Books: All Types
Board Books
Picture Books, General
A Note on Rhyme
Notes on Illustration
The Challenges and Opportunities of Picture Books
Easy Readers
Chapter Books
Polly Diamond
Graphic Chapter Books
Chapter 4 Exercises
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
Picture Book
Chapter Book
5. The Options for Writing for Young Readers: Middle Grade and Young Adult Books
From Middle Grade to Young Adult
Middle Grade
Young Adult
New Adult
Taboo Topics—or Not?
Challenges and Opportunities for Writing Middle Grade
and Young Adult 66
Genre 66
World Building 69
Three Possible Ways to Begin World Building
What Is Structure and How Does It Work?
Chapter 5 Exercises
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
PART 2. WRITING
6. Finding Time and Finding Your Flow
Flow
Goal Setting
Clarity of Goals
Concentration and Distraction
The Place Where You Work
Process
Chapter 6 Exercises
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
7. Storytelling
Sense of Story
Becoming a Ghost Transformed My Greatest Writing Weakness
Pantser or Planner
Useful Words as You Think about Your Story Architecture
Central Dramatic Question
Chronology
Flashback
Language: Cadence, Rhyme, and Rhythm
Narrative
Outline
Plot
Point of View
Scenes
Theme
Tense
Voice
Chapter 7 Exercises
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
8. Character
Where Do Characters Come From?
Act and React
Character Flaws and Layers
Character Desires and How to Use the Interview
Characteristics, Habits, Body Language, and Speech
Diversity in Your Characters
Physical Attributes
Tips for Writing Physical Description
Other Key Characters
Bit-Part Characters
Tips for Writing Your Cast
Chapter 8 Exercises
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
9. Scenes and Settings
Scenes
The Four Elements of a Scene
Description
Writing Description
Action
Writing Action
Dialogue
Writing Dialogue
Interior Monologue
Writing Interior Monologue
Chapter 9 Exercises
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
10. Drafting Your Book
Magic and Moments
The Slump in the Middle
Tips for When You Get Stuck
Endings
Chapter 10 Exercises
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
PART 3. REWRITING
11. Editing
The Break
Developmental Editing
Developmental Edits: Picture Books
Developmental Edits: Chapter Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult
Rewriting
Line Editing
Ten-Point Line-Edit Checklist
Finding a Reader
Hiring an Editor
Chapter 11 Exercises
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
Pacing/Structure
Characters
12. What Happens Next?
The Nitty Gritty of Traditional, Hybrid, and Self-Publishing
The Traditional Route
Self-Publishing
7 Questions to Ask Yourself as You Decide
Rejection
Abandoning
Agents
Tips to Find an Agent
Querying
Query Letter and Submission: Final Tips
Chapter 12 Exercises
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
13. Your Writing Life
Social Media and Your Platform
Library and School Visits
Parenting and Responsibilities
Tips for Juggling Responsibilities and Writing
Confidence and Writer's Block
Tips for When Your Confidence Flags and You're Feeling Blocked
Final Words
Chapter 13 Exercises
Practical Task
Writing: 10 Minutes
Writing: 30 Minutes
Taking It Further
Places to Go: Further Reading
Picture Books to Get You Excited
Chapter Books
Younger Chapter Books
Older Chapter Books
Graphic Chapter Books
Middle Grade
Younger Middle Grade
Classic Middle Grade
Series for Younger Middle Grade
Older Middle Grade
Series for Older Middle Grade
Graphic Novels for Middle Grade Readers
Young Adult
Young Adult for Ages 12 and Up
Series for Ages 12 and Up
Older Young Adult
Series for Ages 14 and Up
Graphic Novels for Young Adult Readers
Books about Writing that I Love
Places to Go Online
