Just Write

April 15, 2012
The third National Ambassador for Young People's Literature offers a how-to guide for young writing enthusiasts. Who's more qualified to write about the craft of writing than Myers, one of the biggest names in children's literature and author of 100 works for young readers? Though this volume is far from flashy, the straightforward, no-nonsense, you-can-do-it tone may well inspire young readers and beginning writers. Myers tells about his own life and how he became a writer before moving on to the craft itself, offering advice on structuring fiction using a six-box outline and nonfiction with a four-box outline. Excerpts from his own notebooks and commentaries on his work with teen writer Ross Workman (Myers' collaborator on the soccer novel Kick, 2011; Workman contributes to the backmatter) are enlightening, and readers will find themselves in the presence of a friendly mentor and writing co-conspirator. Ultimately, since writers draw on their own lives and interests, this is a writer's guide to life. Myers advises, "The best way to find inspiration is just to live your life doing these things that interest you most.... Pursuing your passions will expand your world. This will make you a better writer." Good advice on the craft of writing from someone who should know. (writing tips, further reading on writing, about the author, a list of the author's books) (Nonfiction. 14 & up)

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July 1, 2012

Gr 5-10-Myers uses the same honest and straightforward language that characterizes his young adult fiction to share his ideas about why and how he writes. His earliest childhood memories include being a good reader in school but a socially awkward, combative child. He mentions that he was admonished for "not playing well with others," and describes his transition from reading to writing as a place that allowed him to create his own world of characters. "When I'm writing, I create my own others, and I play very well with them." After recounting his own personal journey, Myers moves on to the craft itself and offers a supportive tone that should inspire young adults. He addresses them directly and draws readers into an intimate conversation about writing. Chapters titled, "Map It Out," "Nice to Meet You," "Then What Happened?," "Leave Your Ego at the Door," and "Pick Yourself Up, Dust Yourself Off" address such topics as coming up with story ideas, developing characters and plot, dealing with helpful criticism, and continuing to practice and revise your work. Myers offers advice on structuring fiction using a six-box outline and nonfiction with a four-box outline, including his own notes to better describe the process. He encourages young writers to focus on things they feel passionate about. He notes, "Pursuing your passions will expand your world. This will make you a better writer." His words sum up his philosophy and they characterize the knowledge that he imparts throughout this useful guide.-Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2012
"Writing is not mysterious. There are tools that I use to help me get to the end of a book." No sentimentalist, Myers advises young writers on how to get started and--even more difficult--how to keep going and finish. His approach is practical, encouraging extensive outlining and, for a novel, a "six-box model for fiction." Autobiographical anecdotes make the advice concrete. Bib.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

June 1, 2012
Grades 8-12 After 43 years as a writer, with more than 100 books to his credit, Myerscurrently National Ambassador for Young People's Literaturehas written a guide to writing for aspiring young authors. Addressing both fiction and nonfiction, Myers offers a wealth of advice that is professional and pragmatic and often couched in the context of his own work, especially Kick (2011), his recent collaboration with teenager Ross Workman (who contributes an epilogue to this book). Myers also gives attention to the many incarcerated youth with whom he has worked over the years. Throughout, he stresses the importance of prewriting planning, outlining, daydreaming (to which he devotes hours each day), and being persistent. In addition to his guide, Myers includes an autobiographical prologue explaining how he became a writer after first becoming an omnivorous reader who haunted his neighborhood library. Feeling that books saved his life, Myers now gives his readers the same opportunity through his advice and his largehearted example.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)