Spilling Ink: A Young Writer's Handbook - by Ellen Potter & Anne Mazer (Paperback)

About the Book

After receiving letters from fans asking for writing advice, the authors joined together to create this guidebook for young writers. The authors mix personal anecdotes with practical guidance on who to find a voice, develop characters and plot, make revisions, and overcome writer's block. Includes writing prompts. Illustrations.

Book Synopsis

LEARN HOW TO WRITE LIKE THE EXPERTS, FROM THE EXPERTS.

In Spilling Ink: A Young Writer's Handbook, you'll find practical advice in a perfect package for young aspiring writers.

After receiving letters from fans asking for writing advice, accomplished authors Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter joined together to create this guidebook for young writers. The authors mix inspirational anecdotes with practical guidance on how to find a voice, develop characters and plot,
make revisions, and overcome writer's block. Fun writing prompts will help young writers jump-start their own projects, and encouragement throughout will keep them at work.

Review Quotes

"Cogent and invaluable." --Publishers Weekly

"The best of recent volumes on the subject." --Kirkus Reviews

"Two fine writers put their heads together and come up with an equally fine guide to their craft for beginners." --Booklist

"For years I have been thinking about writing a HOW TO book for kids who want to write. Now I don't have to. Anne and Ellen have crafted such a wonderful, funny, wise book about how to craft a wonderful, funny, wise book that when eager young writers send me a letter seeking my advice I can now simply say, 'Read this!' My hat is off to this dynamic duo." --Bruce Coville, author of Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher

"The singular, intense yet funny voice of SPILLING INK shares advice--how to convince your characters they are alive, avoid noisy dialog tags, wear sunglasses to feel like a spy--with much lively wisdom, and nary a hint of adult condescension. An outstanding book." --Nancy Springer, author of The Enola Holmes Mystery series

About the Author

Anne Mazer is the author of The Salamander Room, The Sister Magic series, and the bestselling Abby Hayes series. She lives in Ithaca, New York.

Ellen Potter is the author of acclaimed books for children including Slob, Pish Posh, and Olivia Kidney. She lives in upstate New York with her husband, son and a motley assortment of badly behaved animals.

Matt Phelan has illustrated many books for children, including the 2007 Newbery Medal winner The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.