To Be A Writer [Library Binding]

Barbara seuling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 9, 1997 | Age Level: 10 and up

Provides advice for those who want to become writers, discussing such topics as telling a good story, creating heroes and villains, and playing with words.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7. Although the focus here is on writing for publication, Seuling covers much of the same ground traveled by the predecessors she cites for further reading. It is this excellent list and other appendixes that give the book its value; they include suggestions of publishers who accept the work of young writers, Internet sites, camps and activities, and contests and prizes. The first few chapters, however, do not offer much that is new or exciting. Finding good ideas, developing believable characters, plotting an intriguing story line?all have been discussed in a plethora of books for students and teachers of writing. There is also some confusion as to the audience for this book. Although most of the literary examples cited might be recognizable to intermediate grade readers, many students will not be familiar with Melville's Ahab or Bronte's Heathcliff. Books of this genre may be useful for teaching writing at the elementary and middle school levels, but there are not many young people who will pick them up on their own. If your collection already has Marion Dane Bauer's What's Your Story? (Clarion, 1992), Sandy Asher's Where Do You Get Your Ideas? (1987) and Wild Words (1989, both Walker), or Sylvia Cassedy's In Your Own Words (Crowell, 1990; o.p.), this one is not a primary acquisition.?Martha Rosen, Edgewood School, Scarsdale, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-8. Seuling, a children's book writer and a former editor, offers plenty of good ideas for aspiring writers. The main body of the book covers the how and what of writing: how writers get their ideas and what they do about them. In particular, Seuling tells readers how to outline a book, define the characters, and make it more interesting. The process of rewriting, which professional authors know all too well, is also described. Unlike some other books on the topic, this one is also geared to children who wish to see their work in print. Seuling offers a list of publishers (including those that put out E-zines) that accept the work of young writers. There is also information about contests and prizes, and even writers' camps. The clean format featuring gray-wash cartoons will attract browsers, but aspiring writers will find the topic inducement enough. A fine, information-packed piece. Ilene Cooper

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 110 pages
• Publisher: 21st Century; 1st edition (December 9, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805046925
• ISBN-13: 978-0805046922
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,618,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book!, January 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: To Be A Writer (Library Binding)

At my school we have to read 2 non-fiction books per 9 weeks. I usualy hate non-fiction books but when I saw this one I knew I had to read it because I love to write! It has all the stuff you need to know about planning, making a rough draft, and revising. Plus, in the back of the book it tells where you can go to writing camps, contests you can enter, and even how you can publish your work! I knew I had to buy this book, and where's a better place to buy it than here on amazon.com? So here I am, and here you should be, buying a great book for young authors, To Be a Writer: for Young People Who Want to Write and Publish!

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice, but there are better ones out there, January 30, 2003

By 

"necoon" (Oregon, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Be A Writer (Library Binding)

While I'm all for kids and teenagers trying to get published (I'm fourteen, and I have contracts for two books) this book doesn't do everything it could. A better one: Teen's Guide to Getting Published, by Danielle and Jessica Dunn. This also isn't perfect, but it's a lot better, and is written by published teenagers. What I honestly think: kids and teenagers shouldn't bother with books written 'just for them'. Come on, if you've written the book/story/article/poem already, you don't have to read about how to write - go get a book that's just on publishing. Try one of the Writer's Market books (go for Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market to start), or get a book on writing query letters and proposals (I recommend How To Write Attention-Grabbing Query and Cover Letters, by John Wood). So read this book to start (it's worth at least reading) and then don't bother with books geared towards kids. It doesn't matter how old you are.

Nora Coon
(if you feel like boosting my ego, search "Nora Coon" here on Amazon.com and look at my two books)