Customer Reviews

The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children (Write for Kids Library)

5 star:		(30)
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3 star:		(1)
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Some months back I received unbidden a copy of The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children. Looking at the "for Children" part of the title, I briefly considered it for possible use as a reference for any of my students who might be interested in writing children's books. I put the book on the shelf and forgot about it. Finding myself recently in search of something that might deal intelligently with plot, I picked the book up and gave it the consideration I should have when it first fell into my hands. I found in it not a book for the writing of children's literature, but perhaps the most lucid, accessible, well organized, relevant, complete and credible work on fiction writing in my entire collection of texts on writing. I found my own ideas said better than I can say them myself. What is said in this book resonates with so much validity and clarity that I am sorry that I have wasted so much of my time and my students' time trying to teach without this text. I have corrected that situation by reorganizing the reading materials for my workshops, making The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children a required reading and a central part of our discussion.

Charles Connor, Director
Harriette Austin Writing Program
The University of Georgia

When I decided to write this review I went to my shelves to count how many "how-to" books I had bought over the years before I came across this one. The answer is 106. Pity I didn't know earlier that what I was looking for could be found between the covers of Nancy Lamb's "Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children."

Every sentence has earned its place in the book; there is nothing that you can afford to skim. Yet all is delivered with warmth, humor, wit and wisdom. The advice is practical and specific. Every question that I wanted to ask, and quite a few that I didn't know I should have wanted to ask, was answered with clarity and authority.

The exercises, in particular, ask that you read suggested examples of children's literature that have successfully pulled off the particular skill you are trying to master. Ms Lamb guides you through the questions you should be asking yourself as you read, and then shows you how to turn those questions to your own manuscript. This is the technique used by university level writing programs across the country.

So do yourself a favor - buy this book. In fact, buy a couple of back up copies because your writing friends will 'accidentally' walk home with yours and any copy you manage to keep hold of will fall apart from overuse.

It's a one volume MFA in Creative Writing for Young People.

I write for a weekly deadline and have thought more about book writing in recent years. Having grandchildren located 1000 miles away moved me to think about writing for children. These reviews convinced me to make this book a part of my library. It is so much more than I expected.

This book is for all beginning writers, not just writers of children's books. Ms. Lamb remembers her questions as a beginning and experienced writer. She knows the process and teaches it in an engaging manner. This is a book that I intend to read over and over to ensure that it becomes a part of my writing life. Thank you Ms. Lamb.

As a college English instructor, I've read a number of books on writing. None of them compare to Crafting Stories, and none of them have affected me so personally. I read Crafting Stories cover-to-cover twice, and both times something magical happened. The first time through, Nancy Lamb's no-nonsense approach to writing forced me to rethink and reshape my first novel into something that was immediately accepted by a renowned literary agent. Several months later, I was at wit's end trying to figure-out how to tie up some loose ends before my agent would send the final draft out to editors. I decided to revisit Crafting Stories, and the answers became apparent at once. My rewrite was accepted without a single change, and it's currently being considered by five of the largest publishers in the United States. There's no way I could have gotten this far -- that fast -- without Lamb's uncanny ability to succinctly describe the intangible.

If you think writing for children is 'child's play'- think again! Just as adults want good content, settings and characters, so do children. Ms. Lamb's expert advice, based on her many years of successfully writing children's stories, is invaluable whether you're a seasoned children's writer, or a novice. Learn how to turn your children's story into the one you've dreamed of. Create plots that will hold a child's interest, and characters they'll believe in and want to read about. I highly recommend this wonderful, insightful and clearly written book.

I absolutely HAVE to tell you--this book is the best thing that ever happened to me!

I've never taken a class in creative writing, hadn't even a clue that there were rules to be followed. After bombing everywhere with my first book (I didn't know why), I had a slam-dunk idea for a children's book. I found Crafting Stories for Children, and read it on a Saturday.

No fooling--blinders and scales fell from my eyes. At long last--a book that explained the rules of writing! Although the slant is definitely for children, there is rich fodder for the fiction writer of any genre.

Applying the ideas presented in Ms. Lamb's book have definitely made the difference between another rejection letter, and the possibility of future publication.

Rush out and order it--now!

Reading this book is not only instructive but pleasurable. Lamb's voice is that of personal tutor, mentor and friend, giving good solid instruction in storytelling and instilling courage into the writer who falters along the way. Nancy Lamb has experienced the angst and the ecstasy of creativity, and every page is chock full of her humor, knowledge and sensitivity. I wish I had owned this book before writing my first young adult novel! I highly recommend it to beginning as well as accomlished authors. There is something here for every weaver of stories.

As a writer I have read a ton of books on all aspects of fiction and nonfiction writing. I have a complete outline for a line of children's book, so I purchased this book for insight particularly into the children's genre. However, this book is a must read for all fiction writers. It certainly is geared toward children's books, but dicusses all the fundamentals from structure to scenes to voice. It was one of the most comprehensive books on fiction that I have read. And it was a delight to read. It has a nice, easy flow with examples and touches on all aspects of fiction writing. Whether you are writing fiction for children or adults, all writers could greatly benefit from this book. Again, great read and very informative!!!

I couldn't stop reading this book. I have read a lot of books on writing but they were all too simple and had stated what I already knew.

I wanted a book that had information I could use and to explain what items editors looked for when accepting a story. This is the book ALL writer's should read and own, so they can include it to their library of writing references! I know I am glad I did!

What a perfect book for every wordsmith from the aspiring writer to the published one. Nancy Lamb has much to offer any creative individual--not only writers of children and young adult books. Her advice is succinct, wise, humerous, and inspiring. If you can only purchase one book then this should be the one.