Free Seize The Story: A Handbook For Teens Who Like To Write Ebooks Online
Do you wish you had a published writer's secrets at your fingertips, ready to help you achieve your goals of publication, success, and the chance to be the next great teen writer? In Seize the Story: A Handbook for Teens Who Like to Write, Victoria Hanley, award-winning author of young adult fiction, spills the secrets for bringing action, adventure, humor, and drama to stories. All of the elements of fiction, from creating believable dialogue to exciting plots, are laid out clearly and illustrated with examples taken straight from story excerpts by excellent writers. The book is packed with writing exercises designed to encourage teens to tell the stories that are theirs alone.In addition, other published authors of young adult literature share their insights about the writing life. Teens can gain firsthand advice from accomplished writers T. A. Barron, Joan Bauer, Hilari Bell, Chris Crutcher, David Lubar, Lauren Myracle, Todd Mitchell, Nancy Garden, and many more.
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Prufrock Press Inc. (October 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1877673811
ISBN-13: 978-1877673818
Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 0.5 x 10 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #83,849 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #17 in Books > Teens > Education & Reference > Language Arts > Composition & Creative Writing #79 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Reading & Writing > Composition & Creative Writing #23380 in Books > Reference
Age Range: 12 - 17 years
Grade Level: 7 - 12
From the first line - "Your stories are all yours and waiting to be told" - I loved this book. The tone is so warm and welcoming, inviting aspiring teen writers into the fellowship of those who love the written word. I have read many books on the craft of writing, and none is better than this one, in terms of giving extremely clear directions on every subject from plotting, character development, dialogue, point of view, showing vs. telling - all with abundant, concrete examples of common writing mistakes. Each chapter begins with an inspirational writing quotation; the book concludes with interviews with fifteen well-published, award-winning teen authors; readers will love the actual reproduction of a small section of one of Hanley's own much-scribbled-over first drafts. Although the book is targeted at teens, it would be equally helpful for all writers, at any level. As someone frequently asked to teach writing seminars, I plan to rely on this heavily in my own teaching - in fact, I'll be tempted to tell prospective students: "Skip my class and just read this book!"
"Seize the Story" is an amazing book. It reads like a novel; with a "can't put it down" style. While geared for young adults, it is for anyone who has ever written, wanted to write or thought about writing. It breaks writing down into steps that build on one another like a recipe. The simplicity is ingenious. Victoria Hanley captures all the elements of writing, and isolates them one by one, with an incredibly engaging style making writing accessible in a way I never would have dreamed. I recommend this book to any writer, or aspiring writer, of any age.
I grabbed a copy of this book to help me with my NaNoWriMo project because the wheels in my brain were feeling creaky after a few years without writing after a nervous breakdown. I have been a writer since the tender age of 6 (about 30 years ago!), and I've read many books on the topic. I didn't really think anyone could teach me something new, just refresh some old concepts. I've never been more glad to be wrong! Hanley's book was a slow read for me because every passage sent me running for my keyboard with new ideas for my work. I've never felt more confident in my skills as I have while reading her instructional work. Thanks so much for helping me restart the process of being an author!
This is such a great book! I am so absorved in the info of the book that i dont have the willpower to stop reading!!! I especially liked the chapter about characters. Another good thing about "Seize the Story" is that it actually introduced me to some excellent authors... And reads! This book is worth the price and maybe even more... Five stars!
Some people are great teachers. Others are great writers. Victoria Hanley combines her unique talent for both to create a great resource for young writers. "Seize the Story" is a step-by-step guide to writing fiction, from coming up with an idea to polishing the finished piece.The Building Your Story suggestions in each chapter show writers how to apply what they've learned to their own stories. Additional writing prompts are generously sprinkled throughout the book to encourage young writers to venture outside their comfort zones. An amazing collection of interviews with the likes of David Lubar, Joan Bauer, Lauren Myracle, plus twelve more, reveals what it takes to go from being someone who wants to write to accomplished author.This is certainly the perfect book for teens - or even tweens - who want to write. Yet any writer who puts pen to paper and applies Hanley's guidance can reach the end of the book with a complete first draft of a short story, or the skeleton of a novel. What sets this book apart from all the other books about writing is Hanley's emphasis on building and then honing the skills necessary to create interesting characters and compelling plots.Anyone who loves to dabble with words can learn how to become a better writer. Also writers who are besieged with writer's block will find a variety of ways to help them unlock their inner storyteller. When Hanley's techniques are applied to raw talent, story happens. At long last, teens and beginning writers have a writing book that speaks to them.
I have read a number of writing books. Most are quite helpful about one aspect of writing or another. This book, Seize the Story, is helpful from start to finish. From working with characters to really explaining what goes into a plot, from juicy details about setting to interesting perspectives on how to get over writers' block, it was all enthralling. The best thing about it was the way it pulled everything together. I am not a teen writer. I got this book because I want to write YA. I got what I needed most, because Seize the Story communicates encouragement along with writing tips. I plan to do every one of the writing exercises as I go over my own manuscript. This book was even a good read, full of story examples I enjoyed. The interviews at the end with other authors made it obviosu what the author was saying all along, that every writer is different and there's not only one way to go about it.
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