Classroom interaction, both student-teacher and student-student, provides a stimulating atmosphere for literature and creative writing discussions. Various recent research studies support the thesis that literature is an important influence on children's creative writing. Thus, teacher directed discussions require special skills involving not only the art of questioning, but also indirect behaviors such as the acceptance of children's feelings, the encouragement of their reading and writing activities, and the development of children's ideas. Through such sensitive approaches to classroom discussions, children's language development may be encouraged. (JM)