My 2024 Summer Blog Series in which I invited twelve successful writers to comment on one of their recent books and to give some advice about writing has concluded. For you teachers and librarians and new writers there is enough wealth of insights and ideas to suggest a re-reading. And using. However, to help you sort things out I’ve tried to summarize what I thought was a key tip that each writer provided. My apologies if I have oversimplified what they had to offer. Here, however, is what I gleaned, a brief thought, which is more than worthy enough to use or pass on.
Pedro Martín: “Be authentic. Your experiences and feelings are what make your story unique. Leaning into that authenticity makes your characters even more interesting.”
Janet Wong: “Don’t be afraid of your wildest ideas.”
Gordon Korman: “An idea is not a story. Instead, flesh out your idea to create a story—beginning, middle and end. An outline. Your writing will go faster, easier, and be better.”
Caroline Starr Rose: “Feel free to play with words so as to inspire your imagination.”
Rebecca Kai Dotlich: “Don’t second guess your ideas: Just put them on the page and go from there.”
Bruce Coville: “Keep a journal. It will evoke your memories. Those memories can often lead to exceptional story ideas.”
Karen Cushman: “Read a lot, write a lot, listen well.”
Jolene Gutiérrez: “The essence of becoming a good writer is persistent work, work, work.”
Steven Sheinkin: “Let curiosity be your guide to writing.”
Ellen Oh: “Finish what you start. Don’t give up.”
Joseph Bruchac: “Beyond all else, be a good listener.”
Susan Cambell Bartoletti: “Be constantly curious. Ask endless questions.”
And from me: My mantra is that writers don’t write writing. They write reading.
Now, get busy.
Download these writing tips in PDF form to share with your classroom or writing group.
2 thoughts on “Wrapping Up the 2024 Summer Blog Series”
This was such a fun series of articles. Thank you for putting it together!
Thanks so much for putting the spotlight on such a wonderful variety of voices! You are so generous and I appreciate the way you boost fellow authors!! 🙏🙏