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How to Write a Story
Step 1: Choose an idea for your story. A good one.
Step 2: Decide on a setting. Don't be afraid to mix things up.
Step 3: Create a heroine—or a hero.
Now: Begin.
Storytellers Kate Messner and Mark Siegel chronicle the process of becoming a writer in this follow-up to How to Read a Story, guiding young storytellers through the joys and challenges of the writing process. From choosing an idea, to creating a problem for their character to resolve, to coming to The End, this picture book breaks down the writing process.
Step 2: Decide on a setting. Don't be afraid to mix things up.
Step 3: Create a heroine—or a hero.
Now: Begin.
Storytellers Kate Messner and Mark Siegel chronicle the process of becoming a writer in this follow-up to How to Read a Story, guiding young storytellers through the joys and challenges of the writing process. From choosing an idea, to creating a problem for their character to resolve, to coming to The End, this picture book breaks down the writing process.
36 pages, Hardcover
Published July 7, 2020
4 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Kate Messner
131 books1,649 followersKate Messner is an award-winning author, TED 2012 speaker, and former middle school English teacher. Her books for kids include THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z.,SUGAR AND ICE, and EYE OF THE STORM (Walker/Bloomsbury Dec. 2010) the MARTY MCGUIRE series (Scholastic), SEA MONSTER'S FIRST DAY, and OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW (Chronicle, Books). Kate also wrote SPITFIRE and CHAMPLAIN AND THE SILENT ONE, both Lake Champlain historical novels published by North Country Books.
Kate lives with her family on Lake Champlain, where she loves to read, write, hike, swing on birch trees, and eat chocolate. She also hangs out in various places online.
Visit Kate's website: http://www.katemessner.com
Find Kate on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KateMessner
...or follow her on Twitter - @katemessner
Kate lives with her family on Lake Champlain, where she loves to read, write, hike, swing on birch trees, and eat chocolate. She also hangs out in various places online.
Visit Kate's website: http://www.katemessner.com
Find Kate on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KateMessner
...or follow her on Twitter - @katemessner
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
July 29, 2020
This is a cute little instruction manual for budding storytellers that offers basic, commonsense tips for writing (and sharing) your story.
I'm not sure what else to really say about this. Kids who are interested in writing will probably enjoy the book and feel inspired. Those who aren't interested in writing will likely give it a pass. Sometimes books have a very specific audience, and that's okay. The important thing is that books like this find their way into the hands of those who will appreciate them.
I'm not sure what else to really say about this. Kids who are interested in writing will probably enjoy the book and feel inspired. Those who aren't interested in writing will likely give it a pass. Sometimes books have a very specific audience, and that's okay. The important thing is that books like this find their way into the hands of those who will appreciate them.
July 17, 2021
The perfect book to kick off a narrative unit. I think even my 5th graders will enjoy this step-by-step approach to writing a story.
August 2, 2021
Helpful guide for a child who wants to write stories.
Love the illustrations.
Love the illustrations.
July 6, 2020
Believe it or not, there are Kindergarten classrooms that have book publishing parties. I know, I know, I found it hard to believe when my kid’s school told me that’s what they would be doing three times during the year per student. And then I thought, why didn’t I get to do this? We want our children to become knowledgeable writers, thinkers and readers. Why not start at the very beginning? Why not start when they are learning to write? Messner’s book, How to Write a Story, doesn’t teach you how to throw a publishing party; it does, however, give you the building blocks for helping your child, from the youngest age possible, craft a story they’d be proud to write.
The book is a step by step guide designed to hold your child’s hand through the writing process; from searching for an idea to sharing the final project. The accompanying illustrations are not only whimsical and fun, they extend to the fantastical, providing inspiration for stories that will appeal to younger readers.
Written for ages 5-8, this is a great book for classroom instruction and for home use. It encourages young minds to use their creativity and develop budding writing and reading skills.
The book is a step by step guide designed to hold your child’s hand through the writing process; from searching for an idea to sharing the final project. The accompanying illustrations are not only whimsical and fun, they extend to the fantastical, providing inspiration for stories that will appeal to younger readers.
Written for ages 5-8, this is a great book for classroom instruction and for home use. It encourages young minds to use their creativity and develop budding writing and reading skills.
November 20, 2020
A perfect book with all the steps to writing a story. It's basic enough for kids, but it's got valuable tips even adults will benefit from. It's written in a picture book format.
Teachers should definitely grab this one, and anyone with a budding author in their midst.
"Don't worry if not all of your ideas are shiny. Sometimes you have to collect a lot to figure out what works best."
Teachers should definitely grab this one, and anyone with a budding author in their midst.
"Don't worry if not all of your ideas are shiny. Sometimes you have to collect a lot to figure out what works best."
October 20, 2021
“How to Write a Story,” by Kate Messner and Mark Siegel, instructs one to write a story in steps. For example, “Step 1. . .” The beautiful illustrations provide us with the young author as she demonstrates how to apply the steps to the story she is writing.
I enjoyed this very fast read. Messner did a wonderful job explaining it with steps and Siegel reinforced it with the illustrations.
I enjoyed this very fast read. Messner did a wonderful job explaining it with steps and Siegel reinforced it with the illustrations.
November 21, 2020
Teaching kids how to write is hard.
And I love to write.
It's still a weakness of mine that I work on every school year.
How to Write a Story is a super cute book that assists in the writing process.
We took it step by step and wrote some really cool stories.
And I love to write.
It's still a weakness of mine that I work on every school year.
How to Write a Story is a super cute book that assists in the writing process.
We took it step by step and wrote some really cool stories.
July 20, 2021
I love love love this book and will be giving it to every child in my life who expresses half an interest in writing a story. After reading it, I feel re-motivated to work on my own writing.
July 14, 2023
Another fabulous book about the writing process. It looks at and discusses each step and why its important in a fun, engaging way.
August 7, 2020
This nonfiction picture book will be a great fit for kindergarten through young elementary-age classes, but has little appeal beyond that demographic. The advice is extremely basic, and even though this is a good introduction for a classroom assignment, I know that I would have found it frustrating when I was an independent beginning writer looking for advice for how to tell a story.
This book covers different elements of creative writing, such as conflict, a setting, and a main character, but these are all concepts that attentive readers are already aware of. When I was a child, I wanted insight about how to tell a story, and how to shape a story's unfolding events, but this book does not provide any advice for how to plot a narrative. It also ends very abruptly, and lacks any conclusion or author's note that would share more information or encouragement.
Because this book focuses on the most basic introductory concepts, this book is best as an educational tool for very young children. For ideas about story structure and how to keep your idea going after a few paragraphs, I would recommend Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly and Brave the Page, even though they are geared towards middle grade readers. A teacher might want to pull some ideas from these books to share at a development-appropriate level with their class.
My critique might seem silly, since this picture book is not geared towards children who are old enough to write anything very complex. However, given how few books about writing are available for young readers, I know that older children will read this as well, and even a young child who is serious about writing may find this insufficient, as I know I would have. This is a good classroom introduction for children who may or may not have any interest in creative writing, but it is too basic and shallow to be very helpful to a child who has already developed a specific interest in this subject and is looking for how to structure a story and keep it going beyond a few paragraphs or pages.
This book covers different elements of creative writing, such as conflict, a setting, and a main character, but these are all concepts that attentive readers are already aware of. When I was a child, I wanted insight about how to tell a story, and how to shape a story's unfolding events, but this book does not provide any advice for how to plot a narrative. It also ends very abruptly, and lacks any conclusion or author's note that would share more information or encouragement.
Because this book focuses on the most basic introductory concepts, this book is best as an educational tool for very young children. For ideas about story structure and how to keep your idea going after a few paragraphs, I would recommend Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly and Brave the Page, even though they are geared towards middle grade readers. A teacher might want to pull some ideas from these books to share at a development-appropriate level with their class.
My critique might seem silly, since this picture book is not geared towards children who are old enough to write anything very complex. However, given how few books about writing are available for young readers, I know that older children will read this as well, and even a young child who is serious about writing may find this insufficient, as I know I would have. This is a good classroom introduction for children who may or may not have any interest in creative writing, but it is too basic and shallow to be very helpful to a child who has already developed a specific interest in this subject and is looking for how to structure a story and keep it going beyond a few paragraphs or pages.
July 13, 2020
Pretty perfect short guide to writing a story for young people. I love that the book doesn't overdo it with advice or examples but also leaves in so many important steps like taking a break after the first draft to let ideas percolate and questions arise. This will be a certainly be used as an instructive book but it is friendly and not heavy handed.
December 20, 2020
I read about How to Write a Story by Kate Messner and illustrated by Mark Siegel, so I was intrigued because I have a young friend who likes to write books. Messner gives children a step-by-step guide to writing a story.
The first steps are listed below:
Step 1: Choose an idea for your story. A good one.
Step 2: Decide on a setting. Don't be afraid to mix things up.
Step 3: Create a heroine—or a hero.
Now: Begin.
Easy, right? With Messner’s instructions, children can write a story. Mark Siegel’s illustrations take Messner’s words and puts them color. A young girl is walking along a grassy area and her thoughts are about various topics on which she can write: space, horses, airplanes, sea monsters!
Then Messner gives practical advice about writing about a subject one knows well or by choosing a subject and researching it in order to learn more about it. She even reminds would-be writers that sometimes an idea does not work out and so they should be prepared to skip to the next idea and pursue it.
Siegel’s illustrations are colorful and appealing, giving readers the whole package of words, ideas, and pictures.
Kate Messner https://katemessner.com/, has published a number of books that include both fiction and nonfiction. She has received awards such as the E.B. White Read Aloud Award, Golden Kite and Crystal Kite Awards, and Riverby Award for Natural History Writing.
Mark Siegel, https://marksiegelbooks.com/, is an author and illustrator.
The first steps are listed below:
Step 1: Choose an idea for your story. A good one.
Step 2: Decide on a setting. Don't be afraid to mix things up.
Step 3: Create a heroine—or a hero.
Now: Begin.
Easy, right? With Messner’s instructions, children can write a story. Mark Siegel’s illustrations take Messner’s words and puts them color. A young girl is walking along a grassy area and her thoughts are about various topics on which she can write: space, horses, airplanes, sea monsters!
Then Messner gives practical advice about writing about a subject one knows well or by choosing a subject and researching it in order to learn more about it. She even reminds would-be writers that sometimes an idea does not work out and so they should be prepared to skip to the next idea and pursue it.
Siegel’s illustrations are colorful and appealing, giving readers the whole package of words, ideas, and pictures.
Kate Messner https://katemessner.com/, has published a number of books that include both fiction and nonfiction. She has received awards such as the E.B. White Read Aloud Award, Golden Kite and Crystal Kite Awards, and Riverby Award for Natural History Writing.
Mark Siegel, https://marksiegelbooks.com/, is an author and illustrator.
March 14, 2020
This one is a 3.5 for me. For those who enjoyed How to Read a Story, this is a pleasant follow-up title that writing teachers--and ah, how I hope there are still writing teachers out there--might want to share with their own budding writers. The illustrations, created with ink and watercolor, complement a text that is a primer for how to write a story as they follow one young girl through ten steps. Of course, the first one might be the hardest since it entails coming up with an idea about which to write. The book provides several inspirations for those ideas as well as places to look for ideas, and then shares tips for next steps, including working on the setting and developing a character. By the time the writer's work is done, it's time to share the story with others, and then get ready to write something else. I especially liked the tips about drafting, revising, and reading the piece out loud in order to improve it. This picture book makes writing sound just as fun as I know it to be but also just how much work goes in crafting a story.
March 1, 2021
Author Kate Messner and illustrator Mark Siegel- what a prolific duo!- are back together again after How to Read a Story to bring readers How to Write a Story. In ten clearly outlined steps (and a few concise notes), accompanied by Siegel’s eye-catching and imaginative artwork, young aspiring writers are given a straightforward breakdown of how they can become a storyteller. The process of writing a story, even thinking about writing a story, can seem overwhelming and maybe even out-of-reach, but with Messner’s fantastically encouraging, practical guide- brought to action so vividly by Siegel’s clean-lined artwork- How to Write a Story makes the process seem totally possible- and exciting.
I received a copy of this title courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.
November 17, 2021
As a parent who is also a writer who survived the remote school chaos, I have had my fair share of cringeworthy moments in the way writing instruction is given to kids. If we do a good job of beating the joy of reading out of our children in school, it's nothing compared to what we do with writing.
This is a great little antidote to that. It covers the areas of the writing process that are important and that also teachers need to teach (brainstorming, freewrite, revision, publication, etc.) but in a way that is engaging, uses actual words that make sense, makes the process sound fun (as it can be!) and also shows the creation of a pretty cool sounding story about a sea monster. While most kids who aren't die hard writers (and mine definitely is not) will not pick this up on their own, this would be great for classroom instruction at the primary level.
This is a great little antidote to that. It covers the areas of the writing process that are important and that also teachers need to teach (brainstorming, freewrite, revision, publication, etc.) but in a way that is engaging, uses actual words that make sense, makes the process sound fun (as it can be!) and also shows the creation of a pretty cool sounding story about a sea monster. While most kids who aren't die hard writers (and mine definitely is not) will not pick this up on their own, this would be great for classroom instruction at the primary level.
September 15, 2020
Writing a story can be a daunting task, especially for students. Luckily, Kate Messner has put her wisdom and experience into this engaging how-to book that all upper elementary teachers can use in their classroom. From searching for shiny ideas that inspire you to sharing your story with friends to get feedback, each step in the book is valuable and integral to the story writing process. The book wraps up by encouraging the reader to start looking for another interesting idea now that their first story is complete. Ink and watercolor illustrations elevate the text and clearly show the writing process. The main character is a girl of color, which is also appreciated.
February 18, 2022
A simple guide to writing a story from coming up with an idea to revising to sharing it with others.
I like how much this emphasizes revising. It talks about how beta readers can help point out needs in the story, and how taking a break before revising can be good for your brain and the story. There's pieces of an actual story about a mermaid and a sea monster on the loose in the background illustrating each concept. It's also nice that the little author is depicted as a person of color. A very useful book to use when teaching kids about the writing process. This could be used for both fiction and nonfiction writing.
I like how much this emphasizes revising. It talks about how beta readers can help point out needs in the story, and how taking a break before revising can be good for your brain and the story. There's pieces of an actual story about a mermaid and a sea monster on the loose in the background illustrating each concept. It's also nice that the little author is depicted as a person of color. A very useful book to use when teaching kids about the writing process. This could be used for both fiction and nonfiction writing.
March 25, 2022
I may be an adult, but I absolutely loved this child focused book. It’s the kind of book I wish I had as a child, when I had the unrealistic idea that book authors were “specially chosen”, since I wasn’t chose I had no hopes of being one. (Now I know differently)
Highly recommend this book. Especially to read to, or for children to read themselves.
Please consider purchasing a copy using the link below which will support the author, independent bookshops and myself.
https://bookshop.org/a/81296/97814521...
*The above link is an affiliate link that your purchase would financially benefit both independent bookshops and myself — if you make a purchase using the link, thank you!
Highly recommend this book. Especially to read to, or for children to read themselves.
Please consider purchasing a copy using the link below which will support the author, independent bookshops and myself.
https://bookshop.org/a/81296/97814521...
*The above link is an affiliate link that your purchase would financially benefit both independent bookshops and myself — if you make a purchase using the link, thank you!
February 21, 2021
The companion to How to Read a Story, this book provides a simple step-by-step process analysis for how to write a story worth reading, beginning with a “shiny” idea to develop with a suitable setting, some characters, and a problem to solve. Though basic, the instructions are easy enough to follow for budding writers who are eager to explore the power of story to shape their world, even as they are learning the rudiments of language acquisition. Because of their oddity, however, the illustrations seem distracting, as if the bulging eyes of the protagonist have their own story to tell.
August 1, 2020
Something about the main character's eyes in this creeped me out throughout the whole book; that is oddly specific, but even as I look at the cover I feel a chill (I think it is that they are overly large and remind me a bit of an alien). Moving past the strangely shaped eyes, if you are trying to interest a child in writing, or if you have a budding young author, then here you go! Otherwise, this probably will miss its mark.
March 23, 2022
With each page turn, readers go through step-by-step instructions on how to write a story. The author accomplishes this in ten easy-to-understand steps. Each step provides suggestions to help the readers and future writers create their own masterpieces. The lively illustrations offer inspiration for readers to get their writing juices flowing. This is a perfect book for students and teachers.
September 1, 2025
4.5 stars
This 12-step approach to writing a story is great for young authors. It gives them a solid basis on forming their ideas and making a story come to life. It is a simple plan, but with practice it will open the windows of creativity and elevators of structure for taking the budding authors to new heights.
The book is so short, and yet it provides enough direction for those who want to try the art of writing.
This 12-step approach to writing a story is great for young authors. It gives them a solid basis on forming their ideas and making a story come to life. It is a simple plan, but with practice it will open the windows of creativity and elevators of structure for taking the budding authors to new heights.
The book is so short, and yet it provides enough direction for those who want to try the art of writing.
December 21, 2020
What a perfect book for helping young readers become writers. This book is an excellent addition to classroom libraries and deserves a spot as a resource in many lesson plans. It's an excellent break down of the steps in the writing process, but it never overshadows the most important part - letting your imagination and your feelings lead the way to creativity.
December 31, 2020
This book provides a wonderful introduction to children wanting to tell stories. Kate Messner goes through the basics of plotting, writing and revision in ten simple steps that are practical and easy to grasp for the grade school set. The illustrations by Mark Siegel are great to show the reader what is happening in the young reader's imagination.
March 6, 2021
“How to Write a Story” is a book that walks children through the creative writing process, encouraging them to write about their “shiny” ideas and read them aloud to themselves and others. This is an effective starting point for young writers to grasp the basic concept of penning stories and would be useful incorporated into introductions to children’s literacy within the classroom.
April 1, 2021
This wonderful storytelling breaks down a fantastic way to teach someone how to write a story of their own. Encourages self-thinking and not being afraid to ask for help from others when you are needing to proof your materials. Every student or everyone can share their creative story with their peers or anyone who wants to tell a story with them.
June 2, 2021
*I received a free review copy from the publisher*
This is a really cute introduction to the writing process. This could be useful for elementary school classroom teachers (or other staff) to get a group started on writing a narrative. Young readers might also enjoy reading it on their own because the illustrations and story-within-a-story are entertaining.
This is a really cute introduction to the writing process. This could be useful for elementary school classroom teachers (or other staff) to get a group started on writing a narrative. Young readers might also enjoy reading it on their own because the illustrations and story-within-a-story are entertaining.
July 29, 2021
Now I want to go write a story!
A little girl wants to write a story, and as the narrator tells the steps, her book takes shape.
Illustrations are gorgeous yet simple, writing idea is fun and creating is the focus in a way that makes it something children can do.
This book belongs in classrooms and children's personal libraries - it tells them creativity is exciting!
A little girl wants to write a story, and as the narrator tells the steps, her book takes shape.
Illustrations are gorgeous yet simple, writing idea is fun and creating is the focus in a way that makes it something children can do.
This book belongs in classrooms and children's personal libraries - it tells them creativity is exciting!
August 11, 2020
A follow up to Messner’s How to READ a Story, this picture book chronicles the steps involved in writing a story. Perfect mentor text for young writers that includes language like ideas, setting, characters, problem, and details.
Loved the message of the power of storytelling!
Loved the message of the power of storytelling!
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September 21, 2020I like the idea, and I thought though most of it seemed basic (come up with an idea, a setting, a main character, etc.), the part that says, "start with something exciting, make the problem worse and worse, until finally your character thinks of something to do" was really key.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews