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| Seize the Story: A Handbook for Teens Who Like to Write | 
 enlarge | Author: Victoria Hanley
Publisher: Cottonwood Press, Inc.
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
Buy New: $10.80
You Save: $5.15 (32%)
Buy New from $10.80
Avg. Customer Rating:  (6 reviews)
Sales Rank: 133739
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 228
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.6
ISBN: 1877673811
Dewey Decimal Number: 808.02083
EAN: 9781877673818
ASIN: 1877673811
Publication Date: September 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Supplemented by interviews with successful authors of teen literature?including T. A. Barron, Jona Bauer, Chris Crutcher, and Lauren Myracle, among others?this book presents all the elements of fiction, from creating believable dialogue to executing an exciting plot, through real story excerpts. Packed with tips, tricks, and writing exercisesfrom an award-winning author of teen fiction, the guide encourages teen writers to write creatively and explore all the elements and responsibilities of fiction. With the book's goal of building competent, satisfied young authors, young people are emboldened towrite the stories that are theirs alone to tell.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
A fabulous handbook for anyone who has ever considered writing December 3, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
"Seize the Story" is an amazing book. It reads like a novel; with a "can't put it down" style. While geared for young adults, it is for anyone who has ever written, wanted to write or thought about writing. It breaks writing down into steps that build on one another like a recipe. The simplicity is ingenious. Victoria Hanley captures all the elements of writing, and isolates them one by one, with an incredibly engaging style making writing accessible in a way I never would have dreamed. I recommend this book to any writer, or aspiring writer, of any age.
The best book on the writing craft that I have read November 18, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
From the first line - "Your stories are all yours and waiting to be told" - I loved this book. The tone is so warm and welcoming, inviting aspiring teen writers into the fellowship of those who love the written word. I have read many books on the craft of writing, and none is better than this one, in terms of giving extremely clear directions on every subject from plotting, character development, dialogue, point of view, showing vs. telling - all with abundant, concrete examples of common writing mistakes. Each chapter begins with an inspirational writing quotation; the book concludes with interviews with fifteen well-published, award-winning teen authors; readers will love the actual reproduction of a small section of one of Hanley's own much-scribbled-over first drafts. Although the book is targeted at teens, it would be equally helpful for all writers, at any level. As someone frequently asked to teach writing seminars, I plan to rely on this heavily in my own teaching - in fact, I'll be tempted to tell prospective students: "Skip my class and just read this book!"
Practical, Friendly, Inspiring Craft Advice --Seize it Now! October 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Victoria's experience as an award winning Young Adult writer, and as a teacher of teens, shows in this book. She knows how to address teen writers without being condescending or boring. Few craft books are able to pull off the feat of giving pragmatic and insightful advice without becoming text-booky and dull, but this one does it. The chapters have an effective combination of insights, craft points, and exercises, that will not only help you write better, they'll make you want to write more. Although the book is aimed at teens, I think many adults (especially adults who want to write for teens) will find it useful as well. In addition to Victoria's extensive advice, she's interviewed and included excerpts from several other published authors (like me --I'm in there!). It's a great gift for aspiring and accomplished writers alike.
Fifty Years Too Late September 20, 2008
Where was this book when I was a struggling wannabe writer at the tender age of thirteen? I winged it on my own. After a dozen or so rejection slips I gave it up and let my dream remain a dream, the rejection slips having come close to turning that dream into a nightmare.
Unlike so many instructional books I've seen, Victoria uses a tone and style that creates a friendly "you can do it" atmosphere that makes the reader feel more like it's coming from a learned friend than a published writer.
Well organized and presented in a logical sequence, this is the perfect book for the beginning writer.
And to top it off, towards the end of the book, Ms. Hanley devotes a section to questions and answers with other successful writers which gives the reader different points of view on how to succeed at writing.
My only regret regarding this book is that it was published fifty years too late. If it had been written during the fifties it would have helped me fulfill my childhood dream of becoming a novelist, propelled me, perhaps, to reach into the heavens and pocket a star or two.
A Fun, Friendly, and Wise Handbook for Writers! September 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Quick disclaimer -- I'm one of the authors interviewed for this book, BUT, even if I weren't, I would heartily recommend it! At teen writing workshops I do, I'm often asked for recommendations for creative writing books geared toward teens... and finally, I have the perfect book to recommend. Seize the Story! teaches you how to write great fiction-- it covers dialogue, descriptions, voice, beginnings, middles, and ends, setting, plotting, point of view... and it does so in an incredibly readable, friendly, humorous, personal way. Hanley's insights are based on her own fiction-writing experiences (award-winning fantasy) and years of doing workshops with teens- and her wisdom really comes through! She uses plenty of vivid examples to illustrate her points, and gives fun writing exercises at the end of each chapter. This book isn't just for teens-- it's for people of all ages starting their own fiction-writing journey.
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