Intended for teachers, students, and writers, this guide provides exercises for improving writing techniques and using literary devices. Following an introduction, the six chapters deal with the following techniques: (1) describing place, including observation and exaggeration; (2) describing people, including "inside/outside" portraits and caricature; (3) describing action, including using action to show deeper levels of meaning; (4) writing dialog, including using dialog to reveal and to contrast characters; (5) writing monolog, including fiction diaries and monolog for character development; and (6) creating structure, including plot and conflict. Chapters one through five contain adult and student examples of their respective techniques. Notes on revision and a list of the writing ideas by grade level are appended. (HTH)