Reaching the Reluctant Writer: Fast, Fun, Informational Writing Ideas

by Mike Artell

Mike Artell rouses reluctant writers with 43 short, informational writing exercises that use humor to engage students and equip them with the skills they’ll need to write clearly and effectively. Using "real world" texts like letters, advertising copy, résumés, and maps, Reaching the Reluctant Writer helps you encourage students to trust their own wit, stretch their creative muscles, and learn how to "think funny." Each inventive exercise challenges students to practice specific writing craft skills and includes a drawing component that develops visual literacy. The result is a valuable resource that blends humor and creativity with practical, real world writing practice.

96 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2005

About the author

Mike Artell is a multi-award-winning author, illustrator, musician and professional speaker.

Mike has hosted his own television show and has created cartoons for many national publications and greeting card companies. Mike’s first children’s books were published in 1990 and since then, he has written and/or illustrated more than 40 books. Many of Mike’s books have won awards. Most recently, his book PETITE ROUGE – A CAJUN RED RIDING HOOD was named 2009 Read Aloud Book of the Year by the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Over the years, Mike has shared his techniques for thinking, writing and drawing more creatively with hundreds of thousands of students and teachers at schools in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Mike also stays busy as a platform speaker addressing many education, healthcare and association groups.

Mike lives in Covington, Louisiana with his wife Susan, a retired science teacher and middle school librarian. They have two grown daughters and 5 grandchildren.