IT'S ALL ABOUT . . . WRITING RESOURCES PART 1

​by Melissa Stoller


There are many inspiring and helpful books about writing and creativity that may be useful as you continue along your children’s book writing path. Here are five that I recommend:

 
 
BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR, by Elizabeth Gilbert
Read this book to be inspired to live your best creative life.
 
BIRD BY BIRD: SOME INSTRUCTIONS ON WRITING AND LIFE, by Anne Lamott
This book will put you in the best possible frame of mind to sit down and write. 
 
WRITING PICTURE BOOKS (Revised and Expanded edition), by Ann Whitford Paul
This is an absolutely essential book about the craft of picture book writing. 
 
THE MAGIC WORDS: WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS, by Cheryl B. Klein
Loaded with practical exercises, this book offers tips about plot, voice, characters, and much more.
 
WRITING MAGIC: CREATING STORIES THAT FLY, by Gail Carson Levine
The Newbery Honor author discusses heart, voice, dialogue, digging deeper into character, and more. 
 
STORYWORTHY: ENGAGE, TEACH, PERSUADE, AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE THROUGH THE POWER OF STORYTELLING, by Matthew Dicks
There are so many practical and entertaining tips included in this resource about the structures of stories, story arcs, and becoming a fantastic storyteller. 
 
 
In my next post, I’ll recommend some technical resources that I find invaluable as I craft my manuscripts. 
 
Happy reading, writing, and creating!

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BIO:
 
Melissa Stoller is the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection - Book One: Return to Coney Island and Book Two: The Liberty Bell Train Ride (Clear Fork Publishing, 2017 and 2019); and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush and Ready, Set, GOrilla! (Clear Fork, 2018). Upcoming releases include Return of the Magic Paintbrush and Sadie’s Shabbat Stories (Clear Fork, 2019). She is also the co-author of The Parent-Child Book Club: Connecting With Your Kids Through Reading (HorizonLine Publishing, 2009). Melissa is an Assistant and Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Regional Ambassador for The Chapter Book Challenge, a Moderator for The Debut Picture Book Study Group, and a volunteer with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators/MetroNY. Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer and editor, and early childhood educator. Additionally, she is a member of the Board of Trustees at The Hewitt School and at Temple Shaaray Tefila. Melissa lives in New York City with her husband, three daughters, and one puppy. 
 
CONNECT:  
 
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