Real Toads in Imaginary Gardens: Suggestions and Starting Points for Young Creative Writers (Paperback)

by Stephen Phillip Policoff (Author), Jeffrey Skinner (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 8-12-- This friendly, enthusiastic approach to writing offers insight on the creative process through exercises and tips. The emphasis is on practice and learning by doing. Young authors-to-be will find the activities fun as well as enlightening. Because the many examples cited are from the work of students rather than established writers, this handbook speaks directly to the experiences and viewpoints of YAs. It is divided into two main sections, with Policoff focusing on fiction and Skinner on poetry. Their problem-solving, straightforward approach makes this well-conceived guide valuable for both beginning and more advanced writers, and a real boon for teachers. Similar titles include Sylvia Cassedy's In Your Own Words (HarperCollins, 1990) and Susan Tchudi's The Young Writer's Handbook (Scribners, 1984), both of which are directed toward a younger audience and include book reports and letters. Policoff and Skinner's title includes one ``intriguing'' reading list, one ``down to earth list,'' and an appendix of writers' markets. --Susan H. Patron, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 191 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Pr; 1 edition (November 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556521375
• ISBN-13: 978-1556521379
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,429,269 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well, what book about creative writing is really brilliant?, July 5, 1999

By A Customer

This book was pretty okay, for a book about creative writing. I mean, it was cheesy and simplistic, but what book about creative writing isn't? It won't make you into F. Scott Fitzgerald overnight, but it might help. We used it as a textbook for a creative writing class, and it was a good class, so it did its job.