The atmosphere of focused interaction during a summer conference dealing with professional writing for children is recalled in this publication. The publication reports the experiences of diverse writers-in-residence who spent their days at Lake Chautauqua sharing their love and passion for children's literature--guiding, nurturing, inquiring,…

Pointing out that what sells a story idea for film or television is not writing the script but preparing the "treatment"--the brief pitch of a story to a producer or agent--this book furnishes dozens of examples of treatments from actual productions. The book makes the distinction between scripts designed for feature films, episodic…

States that, to write a truly effective story, a writer must go beyond the basics and look for an "angle" or a hook. Defines an angle as having excellent lead focus and great interest potential, and makes a difference in the number of readers who will take interest. Defines "perspective" as used in journalism. (PA)

Suggests ways for journalists to better their writing skills, for example, being aware of unnecessary words and redundancies and the fact that the simplest word is usually the best word. Tells reporters which words to avoid, such as "many,""some," and "a lot." Gives examples of some mistakes that journalists have…

Argues that scholarly writing entails entering into a complex network of relationships and engages the writer in a process that may have a multitude of ends. Discusses how professional writing is related to the logic of market in that writers must produce an exchangeable commodity, but the process is governed by the requirements of the profession…

Lists alternative ways to present the same story: traditional, narrative, radical clarity, and point of view. Presents a four-step plan to assess what readers want to see and how to meet that need. Provides a cautionary note about how to avoid "bad" text. Explains that readers like variety, and suggests different ways to present visual…

Discusses the use of the verb "said"--the verb of neutrality--and states that it is a good writer's trusted literary companion. Cites various examples of its use in promoting objectivity in stories, and offers advice from grammar writers as to using "said" effectively. (PA)

Presents an interview with Randy Powell, an author who has published several novels about teenagers who are finding their way through unsettled lives. Shares his belief that when you write from the heart, you do not have any choice about the themes and stories you write; they choose you as much as you choose them. (SG)

The purpose of this study was to investigate how 23 fourth-grade students with different writing abilities translated their teacher's literacy instruction into an understanding of audience awareness when writing for Internet publication. As part of their classroom literacy instruction, students learned the textual features indicative of different…

To make writing public, the writer must have an audience. A cooperative and caring environment that invites children to share and respond is the type of supportive environment in which children's reading and writing can flourish. Children who have not published do not write for an audience, but instead write for a critical reader--the teacher.…

Stephen Duncombe has written one of the only book-length studies examining the phenomenon of "zines.""Note from Underground: Zines and the Politics of Alternative Culture" traces the historical rise in zine popularity beginning with fanzines of the 1930s, fueled in the 1970s by the punk movement, and reaching a height in the 1990s. In his…

Noting that the reporting-to-writing route is sometimes circuitous and rough, although reliable, this essay collection considers the road from writing journalism to writing other literary genres such as fiction and poetry. The collection points out that newspapers have provided a proving ground for many aspiring authors, from Walt Whitman and Mark…

Addresses interrelated sets of ethical considerations: the ethical principles for representing students and student writing in the teacher's own publications of two types--in textbooks designed for student use, and in research publications and conference presentations designed for the author's peers. Lists 10 points to make clear to students whose…

Interviews Roald Dahl at his home near London to ask him about his early stories and discuss his ability to write for both adults and children. (MG)

Describes three primary parts of the Tenderloin Reflection and Education Center's writing workshop for women: workshop, performance, and publication. Discusses how this program helped to break down isolation, empower participants, and challenge social oppression. (MG)