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Spilling Ink: A Young Writer's Handbook
LEARN HOW TO WRITE LIKE THE EXPERTS, FROM THE EXPERTS.
In Spilling A Young Writer's Handbook , you'll find practical advice in a perfect package for young aspiring writers.
After receiving letters from fans asking for writing advice,accomplished authors Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter joined together to create this guidebook for young writers. The authors mix inspirational anecdotes with practical guidance on how to find a voice, develop characters and plot,
make revisions, and overcome writer's block. Fun writing prompts will help young writers jump-start their own projects, and encouragement throughout will keep them at work.
In Spilling A Young Writer's Handbook , you'll find practical advice in a perfect package for young aspiring writers.
After receiving letters from fans asking for writing advice,accomplished authors Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter joined together to create this guidebook for young writers. The authors mix inspirational anecdotes with practical guidance on how to find a voice, develop characters and plot,
make revisions, and overcome writer's block. Fun writing prompts will help young writers jump-start their own projects, and encouragement throughout will keep them at work.
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2010
129 people are currently reading
1118 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Potter
55 books257 followersEllen Potter is the author of many children's books, including the Olivia Kidney series, Pish Posh, SLOB, and The Kneebone Boy. Her non-fiction book, Spilling Ink; a Young Writer’s Handbook, was co-authored by Anne Mazer
Olivia Kidney was awarded Child magazine’s “Best Children’s Book Award” and was selected as one of the “Books of the Year” by Parenting magazine.
SLOB is on more than 10 state book award lists and was selected for the Junior Library Guild.
Spilling Ink; A Young Writer’s Handbook was a New York Public Library Top 100 Children’s Book for 2010 and a Children’s Literature Assembly 2011 Notable Book.
Her newest series is Piper Green and the Fairy Tree.
Olivia Kidney was awarded Child magazine’s “Best Children’s Book Award” and was selected as one of the “Books of the Year” by Parenting magazine.
SLOB is on more than 10 state book award lists and was selected for the Junior Library Guild.
Spilling Ink; A Young Writer’s Handbook was a New York Public Library Top 100 Children’s Book for 2010 and a Children’s Literature Assembly 2011 Notable Book.
Her newest series is Piper Green and the Fairy Tree.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 271 reviews
February 21, 2011
What a great book for young writers. Practical advice delivered in a fun style. I think I might order a set for my classroom and use it as a guide in writing workshop.
June 20, 2010
I was child writer. Which is to say, I was one of those kids who wrote endless stories between the ages of nine and fourteen or so. Of these stories, I finished only one. And I remember taking a writing class over a summer once that I enjoyed, but otherwise I didn't have a lot of direction when it came to my writing. I dabbled a bit in high school, but for the most part my creative side floundered for many years before getting a bit of a revivification in adulthood. So it's impossible for me not to wonder how all of that might have been different had I encountered a book like Spilling Ink: A Young Writer's Handbook as a child. As far as I can tell, there wasn't anything like Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter's book back in the 80s or 90s. For that matter, there hasn't been much like it in the 2000s or 2010s! Mazer and Potter have essentially come up with a juvenile-friendly version of Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird. I don't invoke that standard of inspirational writing lightly when I compare it to this book, either. Though there might be the occasional detail I'd expand upon or move about in this title, for the most part Spilling Ink is the perfect book (or gift, for that matter) for any child who dabbles in putting their words in other people's heads.
Kids may know author Anne Mazer best from her [title: The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes] series. Ellen Potter, on the other hand, is better known for the Olivia Kidney series or her individual books like SLOB. Now these two authors have joined forces to provide their young readers and incipient writers with a bit of guidance. Spilling Ink: A Young Writer's Handbook splits into three neat and tidy sections: "Part I: Ready, Set, Go!", "Part II: Crafting Your Story", and "Part III: The Writer's Brain". Within those sections, the authors discuss everything from voice and revision to writer's block and writing partners. The result is an exhaustive but not exhausting series of practical points of advice for kids interested in becoming that most glorious of occupations: writers.
Mazer and Potter work as well as they do together partly because their written voices meld well and partly because they consistently make good points. For example, right from the start they make it clear that in your book the main character is going to have to want something. I can't tell you how many published children's books I read where the characters noodle about, not wanting anything in particular while interesting things happen to them. Some adult writers could benefit from the advice in this story, I think. Another good point is made about making sure your title matches your text. You don't want a funny title on a serious book, after all. "If your story is dark and grim and your title is funny, your readers are going to expect a few chuckles. People hate to not chuckle when they are all set to chuckle. It's like holding up your hand for a high five and not getting one."
The usual groundwork is covered in this story, but there are also some unique choices as well. For one thing, I was surprised to see that Potter and Mazer include an entire section to the art of writing picture books. It would never occur to me that a child writer would want to write a picture book, but why not? I bet some of them would enjoy it. Around the time Anne brought up what it was like to write a series, though, I was intrigued. It seems as if the authors here are making a point of not talking down to their child readers. They're treating them like real writers, and bringing up the areas they themselves know best. I noticed that they didn't discuss what it was like to write a graphic novel or a nonfiction title, but that probably has as much to do with the fact that the authors haven't traipsed all that often into those worlds as it does with the fact that this is really a book about straight up fiction writing. Nonfiction and GNs are a whole different ballgame (though you can hand a kid Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles Into Comics if they really want to know how to do it).
There were three things in this book that really set it apart from the usual writing advice stock out there. After all, advice is not inherently fun. You need to spice up your text a bit, even if everything you say is good, sane, and healthy. To combat the potential snoritude of the book were the fiction examples, the "I DARE YOU" exercises, and the illustrations. I will explain. Often when going over the finer points of constructing a strong story, Mazer and Potter would write little fictional sections to include as examples. My favorite of these, bar none, were the sections discussing the made up tale of "Boris the Bullet Boy". Potter uses this story to explain where a person might want to begin a story. She does an excellent job of it, to the point where the reader really does want to know more about Boris and his puny little head. The "I DARE YOU" exercises appear as separate portions dotted throughout the text. They're not strict assignments, more lures to get kids writing. By saying "I DARE YOU" the authors are encouraging kids to write on their own, not forcing them into doing one thing or another. Of course, once this book starts getting handed out in Creative Writing classes, then those suggestions will actually become assignments. Ah well. As for the third part, Matt Phelan was the artist asked to create small interstitial illustrations to complement the text. He does a good job of it too. There are really only so many ways to show kids writing or thinking about writing, or excited about writing. He seems to have meticulously covered each and every one. He even illustrates some of the side stories (like the aforementioned Boris).
Now, there is one way in which kids today write that I wish the authors had touched upon just a little bit more. Fanfiction. For a lot of kids today, that's how they start writing. The closest the authors come to mentioning Fanfiction is in Section 6: Blackberries, Raspberries, and Story Ideas, where they suggest at one point, "If you can't get any ideas at all, you can build on other people's ideas . . . You can also take a favorite character and write a story about him or her. This is different from copying someone else's words. We all can and should be inspired by other people's work." Amen to that. Now the way in which most kids do this, and then show off their work, are through various Fanfiction websites. Should Mazer and Potter have mentioned this fact? Maybe warned kids away from sites where the Fanfiction is a tad, uh, adult for their tastes? It probably couldn't have hurt.
I think again about when I was a child writer and I wonder, "Would I have wanted this book back then? Would I have read it? And if I had read it, how would I have read it?" Knowing me, I probably would have skimmed the book for the parts that really interested me. Maybe I would have gone to all the "I DARE YOU" sections and done those exercises. Maybe I would have gone from the back of the book and read forwards. Part of what I like about Mazer and Potter's work here is that the book is infinitely flexible in this way. There will be a certain breed of child reader who will feel that it is necessary to start at the beginning of the book and to read it from cover to cover. But knowing children (and heck, knowing writers) a lot of them will use the book for skimming and browsing. They'll find what they need, use it, then come back to find another little tidbit of what they need. And that's an okay way of reading too. No matter how they come to it or read it, though, Spilling Ink is pretty much one the best young writer's handbooks of its kind I've ever seen. Inspiration can come from a lot of places. Now a lot of inspiration can come from a single place. A necessary purchase.
For ages 9-14.
Kids may know author Anne Mazer best from her [title: The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes] series. Ellen Potter, on the other hand, is better known for the Olivia Kidney series or her individual books like SLOB. Now these two authors have joined forces to provide their young readers and incipient writers with a bit of guidance. Spilling Ink: A Young Writer's Handbook splits into three neat and tidy sections: "Part I: Ready, Set, Go!", "Part II: Crafting Your Story", and "Part III: The Writer's Brain". Within those sections, the authors discuss everything from voice and revision to writer's block and writing partners. The result is an exhaustive but not exhausting series of practical points of advice for kids interested in becoming that most glorious of occupations: writers.
Mazer and Potter work as well as they do together partly because their written voices meld well and partly because they consistently make good points. For example, right from the start they make it clear that in your book the main character is going to have to want something. I can't tell you how many published children's books I read where the characters noodle about, not wanting anything in particular while interesting things happen to them. Some adult writers could benefit from the advice in this story, I think. Another good point is made about making sure your title matches your text. You don't want a funny title on a serious book, after all. "If your story is dark and grim and your title is funny, your readers are going to expect a few chuckles. People hate to not chuckle when they are all set to chuckle. It's like holding up your hand for a high five and not getting one."
The usual groundwork is covered in this story, but there are also some unique choices as well. For one thing, I was surprised to see that Potter and Mazer include an entire section to the art of writing picture books. It would never occur to me that a child writer would want to write a picture book, but why not? I bet some of them would enjoy it. Around the time Anne brought up what it was like to write a series, though, I was intrigued. It seems as if the authors here are making a point of not talking down to their child readers. They're treating them like real writers, and bringing up the areas they themselves know best. I noticed that they didn't discuss what it was like to write a graphic novel or a nonfiction title, but that probably has as much to do with the fact that the authors haven't traipsed all that often into those worlds as it does with the fact that this is really a book about straight up fiction writing. Nonfiction and GNs are a whole different ballgame (though you can hand a kid Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles Into Comics if they really want to know how to do it).
There were three things in this book that really set it apart from the usual writing advice stock out there. After all, advice is not inherently fun. You need to spice up your text a bit, even if everything you say is good, sane, and healthy. To combat the potential snoritude of the book were the fiction examples, the "I DARE YOU" exercises, and the illustrations. I will explain. Often when going over the finer points of constructing a strong story, Mazer and Potter would write little fictional sections to include as examples. My favorite of these, bar none, were the sections discussing the made up tale of "Boris the Bullet Boy". Potter uses this story to explain where a person might want to begin a story. She does an excellent job of it, to the point where the reader really does want to know more about Boris and his puny little head. The "I DARE YOU" exercises appear as separate portions dotted throughout the text. They're not strict assignments, more lures to get kids writing. By saying "I DARE YOU" the authors are encouraging kids to write on their own, not forcing them into doing one thing or another. Of course, once this book starts getting handed out in Creative Writing classes, then those suggestions will actually become assignments. Ah well. As for the third part, Matt Phelan was the artist asked to create small interstitial illustrations to complement the text. He does a good job of it too. There are really only so many ways to show kids writing or thinking about writing, or excited about writing. He seems to have meticulously covered each and every one. He even illustrates some of the side stories (like the aforementioned Boris).
Now, there is one way in which kids today write that I wish the authors had touched upon just a little bit more. Fanfiction. For a lot of kids today, that's how they start writing. The closest the authors come to mentioning Fanfiction is in Section 6: Blackberries, Raspberries, and Story Ideas, where they suggest at one point, "If you can't get any ideas at all, you can build on other people's ideas . . . You can also take a favorite character and write a story about him or her. This is different from copying someone else's words. We all can and should be inspired by other people's work." Amen to that. Now the way in which most kids do this, and then show off their work, are through various Fanfiction websites. Should Mazer and Potter have mentioned this fact? Maybe warned kids away from sites where the Fanfiction is a tad, uh, adult for their tastes? It probably couldn't have hurt.
I think again about when I was a child writer and I wonder, "Would I have wanted this book back then? Would I have read it? And if I had read it, how would I have read it?" Knowing me, I probably would have skimmed the book for the parts that really interested me. Maybe I would have gone to all the "I DARE YOU" sections and done those exercises. Maybe I would have gone from the back of the book and read forwards. Part of what I like about Mazer and Potter's work here is that the book is infinitely flexible in this way. There will be a certain breed of child reader who will feel that it is necessary to start at the beginning of the book and to read it from cover to cover. But knowing children (and heck, knowing writers) a lot of them will use the book for skimming and browsing. They'll find what they need, use it, then come back to find another little tidbit of what they need. And that's an okay way of reading too. No matter how they come to it or read it, though, Spilling Ink is pretty much one the best young writer's handbooks of its kind I've ever seen. Inspiration can come from a lot of places. Now a lot of inspiration can come from a single place. A necessary purchase.
For ages 9-14.
February 28, 2015
Good grief. I have 10 pages of notes on this book. Don't worry, I won't put you to bed with a long review, but the great phrases, advice, and lesson ideas had me paraphrasing oodles of sections. Speaking of "oodles," it is a word I've been hooked on lately. Go ahead, say the word. Now get a good gob of spit in the back of your throat and say it like a five-year-old blowing bubbles. My grandson reminded me of this fun bubble-spit game. This book advises to beware of certain "writing tics" such as my "oodles" fixation when I write book reviews (twitch, twitch). Using the same word over and over gives sentence structures excess baggage that threaten to annoy the reader and be repetitive. What is terrific about this book is that it gives clear instructions on how-to write, breaking steps into manageable bites that are marinated heavily with humor. Okay. That might be a bit much on the metaphor. I'll go back and reread the metaphor/simile chapter. Writing prompts are given at the end of chapters along with some thought-provoking asides on writing traps that teachers can avoid when teaching writing.
The book starts with the basics, some I recognized in our school's writing curriculum and others are advice from two authors that have spent years honing their writers craft. One of their criticisms of schools is that the focus is on the product and not the process and that product needs to be "good." This made me think of other subject areas that do focus on process. One of the strengths of STEM programming in schools is it focuses on the design process. I don't teach in the classroom but I do know that the creative writing units have suffered in the latest push toward nonfiction writing. Another criticism is directed toward teachers that praise descriptive writing while discouraging plain, direct writing. One of the author's is drawing from negative experiences her son had with classroom teachers that did not like his direct writing. More importantly, both authors stress not criticizing first drafts. They need to be messy and teachers need to point out the positive and guide the writing process. Later drafts can be critiqued. This book isn't directed at teachers, by the way. It is just what I got out of it as an educator.
Writing is hard work. Both authors reiterate this with Anne Mazer describing it at times as I slam "my head down on my desk and moan, 'This is hard!' Then I have a strawberry Twizzler and feel a little better." Both Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter use similar alternating voices that are funny and engaging. Students will like the short chapters and fast pacing. Some adult readers might want more depth on topics, but I personally liked the succinctness of the text.
The handbook had me reflecting on my own writing process of tooling out book reviews month after month. I've been doing this for three years and many of their processes apply to my nonfiction writing. I started writing reviews because I kept forgetting books during booktalks with students. When you read oodles (sorry, I couldn't resist) of books each year it is easy to forget them. What has changed is now I'm trying to study the writing craft and it is making me better at book discussions with classes. I now have the habit of reading on average two hours and writing one hour every day. I squeeze it in throughout the day in bits and pieces, doing the bulk on the weekends. The authors talk about developing habits and enjoying the process. What I really like is the freedom that comes just doing something for myself with no grade or criticism tied to it. In Journalism school they ripped our pieces up one side and down the other. It discouraged me and drowned my love for writing. Book review writing is resuscitating the joy that was there as a teenager and freeing me to experiment with voice. I'm not afraid in this forum. No more excuses for not writing!
The book starts with the basics, some I recognized in our school's writing curriculum and others are advice from two authors that have spent years honing their writers craft. One of their criticisms of schools is that the focus is on the product and not the process and that product needs to be "good." This made me think of other subject areas that do focus on process. One of the strengths of STEM programming in schools is it focuses on the design process. I don't teach in the classroom but I do know that the creative writing units have suffered in the latest push toward nonfiction writing. Another criticism is directed toward teachers that praise descriptive writing while discouraging plain, direct writing. One of the author's is drawing from negative experiences her son had with classroom teachers that did not like his direct writing. More importantly, both authors stress not criticizing first drafts. They need to be messy and teachers need to point out the positive and guide the writing process. Later drafts can be critiqued. This book isn't directed at teachers, by the way. It is just what I got out of it as an educator.
Writing is hard work. Both authors reiterate this with Anne Mazer describing it at times as I slam "my head down on my desk and moan, 'This is hard!' Then I have a strawberry Twizzler and feel a little better." Both Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter use similar alternating voices that are funny and engaging. Students will like the short chapters and fast pacing. Some adult readers might want more depth on topics, but I personally liked the succinctness of the text.
The handbook had me reflecting on my own writing process of tooling out book reviews month after month. I've been doing this for three years and many of their processes apply to my nonfiction writing. I started writing reviews because I kept forgetting books during booktalks with students. When you read oodles (sorry, I couldn't resist) of books each year it is easy to forget them. What has changed is now I'm trying to study the writing craft and it is making me better at book discussions with classes. I now have the habit of reading on average two hours and writing one hour every day. I squeeze it in throughout the day in bits and pieces, doing the bulk on the weekends. The authors talk about developing habits and enjoying the process. What I really like is the freedom that comes just doing something for myself with no grade or criticism tied to it. In Journalism school they ripped our pieces up one side and down the other. It discouraged me and drowned my love for writing. Book review writing is resuscitating the joy that was there as a teenager and freeing me to experiment with voice. I'm not afraid in this forum. No more excuses for not writing!
August 14, 2021
This is a really great book, it has a lot of great advice for beginning writers. I wish I had read it when I was first starting out but, by now, I didn't really feel it applied to me. Still a great read and I'm glad for it, just not quite what I'm looking for.
November 28, 2018
Though Spilling Ink is a book written for younger audiences, the appealing and almost interactive handbook created by Mazer and Potter is perfect for any youth who want to write fiction. It is full of useful advice on dialogue, plot, characterization, and description. Using bizarre chapter titles and activity suggestions, the authors have managed to write a book that is neither a textbook nor a condescending children-advice-column. Much of the content would be useful for adult writers as well. Spilling Ink is a good introduction for kids who want to write for fun.
December 30, 2019
Still, hands-down, the best book about writing I’ve ever read. This was the book that really started it all for me. <333
April 26, 2019
Okay, so I was hesitant when I ordered it. But when I began reading it, I was enveloped. It is an amazing writers guide. I highly recommend it to everyone, and not just writers. Even to people who hate writing, or have thought about it but feel like they can't follow through.
This handbook, ugh, I can't even describe it. I read it word for word and I want it so bad I am ordering it so I can own it (I don't want the library version). It does have a younger writers mindset (hence the title) but I feel like it is amazing for the older writer! They talk about what has worked best for them in their writing journey, and I am already following their tips on writing!
Conclusion: READ IT AND ABSORB IT! There are so many nitty-gritty details that will help you. I love it, I've been sharing the funny snippets of it with my brother and it has a hilarious sense of humor.
"To be a professional writer, you will need the following skills:
-Time wasting
- Daydreaming
-A knack for noticing things that annoy other people
- A delight in playing with words
- Stubbornness
- A slight touch of insanity"
-Anne Mazer, from Spilling Ink: A Young Writers Handbook
This handbook, ugh, I can't even describe it. I read it word for word and I want it so bad I am ordering it so I can own it (I don't want the library version). It does have a younger writers mindset (hence the title) but I feel like it is amazing for the older writer! They talk about what has worked best for them in their writing journey, and I am already following their tips on writing!
Conclusion: READ IT AND ABSORB IT! There are so many nitty-gritty details that will help you. I love it, I've been sharing the funny snippets of it with my brother and it has a hilarious sense of humor.
"To be a professional writer, you will need the following skills:
-Time wasting
- Daydreaming
-A knack for noticing things that annoy other people
- A delight in playing with words
- Stubbornness
- A slight touch of insanity"
-Anne Mazer, from Spilling Ink: A Young Writers Handbook
March 18, 2011
Admittedly, this book sat on my desk at school for 7 months before I picked it, and I only picked it up because I was feeling guilty that I was hogging a book from the school library that a student or two probably wanted to read. I took it from the library because I thought it sounded like a good read. I had no idea what a good read this book is! I can't wait to book talk it to my students. The book is full of sound writing advice for kids. And the best part is they'll probably take it for two reasons: 1)The people giving the advice are writers and not teachers and 2)The advice doesn't give the young writers a formula to follow or one way to write. The book instead is a conversations between two writers talking about writing. The most valuable pieces of the book, IMHO, is the section on revision and the comment that writing is hard (well, really it's revision that's hard - but you know what I mean). This is a must read for young writers and their teachers.
February 17, 2016
This is the best book on the craft of creative writing that I've read that is aimed at elementary kids and middle schoolers. It's written to the young people themselves, which is fun, and offers challenges and advice from two different authors. Teachers could easily incorporate it into their classrooms. I am asked sometimes which books to help someone learn to write. My favorite writing book for high schoolers and up is On Writing, by Stephen King, followed by Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. And I highly recommend those to teens and adults. But those books both have topics and language that is not aimed at younger students, especially in a classroom setting. Worry no more-- here's the book to use for your children and tweens, and even young teens. Age-appropriate and direct without being condescending or babyish, I think Spilling Ink: A Young Writer's Handbook is a fabulous, fun way to help kids learn about the practical issues of creative writing.
May 18, 2014
Liked this more than I thought I would. Most writing books one reads are really dense but this one wasn't. Also some unique advice which tends to be lacking in most writing books.
November 1, 2021
Definitely recommend for the younger generation hoping to find the courage and inspiration and the nudge to start writing. :)
November 18, 2016
This book is exactly what the title is, "a young writer's handbook." And it's a great one too. With twists and turns through all the unfamiliar caves of writing, it helped in many ways. I started reading this book awhile ago, and I just recently finished it. I'd like to first say that if you are a younger writer, this book is very helpful. One of my favorite parts of this book is the character development section. Specifically the "Naming your characters" chapter. A quote from that part, written by Ellen Potter, is "I love the process of naming my characters." (which I agree with) "Finding the right name for your character is often the first step in convincing your characters that they are alive. Not only is it a great way to get to know them, but it's also just plain fun." She then gave a few wonderful tips on finding good names. Such as reading the phone book, baby name books, and keeping track of names that catch your attention over the years. Another one of my favorite lines is from a section written by Anne Mazer, called "How to turn off your brain and turn on your ideas." It says, "You don't always have to work to find ideas. Sometimes you need to relax and let your creative mind do it's best work. Wasting time, doing nothing, and even sleeping can be some of your most important writer's tools. Be sure to cultivate them. They are an endless source to fresh creativity." All in all I loved this book, and I definitely would read it again. Though geared toward the younger crowd, it was still a fun read and I found some great tips in the process. Added on to that, as a writer myself, I could connect to a lot of the things they said, the majority of the book, actually. It gave great tips that I will for sure use/have used. I'd recommend this book to anyone who's a writer or is interested in writing.
Read
January 3, 2016A great book on writing!
December 2, 2022
Book: Spilling Ink
Author: Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter
Rating: 3 Out of 5 Stars
I will admit that I do have some mixed feelings on this one. While it did offer some unique advice for young writers, I felt at times the authors were trying to sell their own books. They would do self-inserts of their own books. While they are showing you their own writing process, it just felt like they were trying to get you to buy the books they had written.
I did like how each chapter offered different tips for improving writing and offering up examples. By making so much of what the authors had to offer hands on, it is going to draw in readers. Plus, so much of it was illustrated, which pulls the target audience in. I work a lot with fifth graders. They are more likely to pick up and be engaged in something with graphics than something without it. Plus, the use of the different sections within each chapter also adds to the overall experience. It makes kids believe that they are making progress and, as a result, will keep wanting to work their way through the book.
A lot of the tips I found were rather common sense. I know that to new writers or those who struggle with writing that these may not be common sense tips. I do have to give the authors props for including all of them. I know that if I had written a book on writing, I probably would not have thought to include some of the most important things, such as looking for sources for names and just starting writing. These tips are huge for those who either struggle with writing or have never written before. The easy language and simple steps, again, are game changers for people, especially younger writers and/or beginning writers.
I do feel though that this is not going to be helpful for kids who have experience writing or it comes easy to them. They are going to see this book as being rather babish and immature. Again, those students who do struggle with writing are going to see it as helpful. Even though i know that not all books like this are going to be helpful to all students and people, this is a big reason as to why I could not give this book a higher rating than three stars. I know a number of my fifth graders who would not benefit from this book. Yet, my ones who do truly struggle would.
Overall, I will say that this book is helpful for some, but it is not going to be helpful for everyone.
Author: Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter
Rating: 3 Out of 5 Stars
I will admit that I do have some mixed feelings on this one. While it did offer some unique advice for young writers, I felt at times the authors were trying to sell their own books. They would do self-inserts of their own books. While they are showing you their own writing process, it just felt like they were trying to get you to buy the books they had written.
I did like how each chapter offered different tips for improving writing and offering up examples. By making so much of what the authors had to offer hands on, it is going to draw in readers. Plus, so much of it was illustrated, which pulls the target audience in. I work a lot with fifth graders. They are more likely to pick up and be engaged in something with graphics than something without it. Plus, the use of the different sections within each chapter also adds to the overall experience. It makes kids believe that they are making progress and, as a result, will keep wanting to work their way through the book.
A lot of the tips I found were rather common sense. I know that to new writers or those who struggle with writing that these may not be common sense tips. I do have to give the authors props for including all of them. I know that if I had written a book on writing, I probably would not have thought to include some of the most important things, such as looking for sources for names and just starting writing. These tips are huge for those who either struggle with writing or have never written before. The easy language and simple steps, again, are game changers for people, especially younger writers and/or beginning writers.
I do feel though that this is not going to be helpful for kids who have experience writing or it comes easy to them. They are going to see this book as being rather babish and immature. Again, those students who do struggle with writing are going to see it as helpful. Even though i know that not all books like this are going to be helpful to all students and people, this is a big reason as to why I could not give this book a higher rating than three stars. I know a number of my fifth graders who would not benefit from this book. Yet, my ones who do truly struggle would.
Overall, I will say that this book is helpful for some, but it is not going to be helpful for everyone.
March 8, 2010
Two veteran authors take their years of writing, their know-how, and their energy and offer it happily to new authors, both young and old. What could have been a dry subject is definitely not in their hands. Simply starting the book will have you hooked and make you wonder why you never wrote that book that you know you have inside you. Mazer and Potter take on all of your excuses, throw in some great advice, and really inspire you to go for it! Written with lots of humor, this book has I Dare You sections to get you started, funny stories of both failure and success, and offers a refreshing look at the process of writing.
There are so many parts to love in this book. It has real information about subjects like metaphors, perspective, setting, and plot. At the same time it is light-hearted and very personal. Mazer and Potter have created an invitation to join them in both the success and failure of writing. Their personal stories make the book a pleasure to read, carrying the information easily to readers. Once you start reading, you will find it reads as easily as one of their novels, which is rare in a nonfiction book on the writing process!
Phelan’s art suits the writing well with its organic and natural feel. The illustrations and the fact that the chapters are broken into small bite-sized pieces contribute to the welcoming feel of the entire book.
Highly recommended, I see this as the ideal book to share with writing classes, to encourage young authors, and to hand to adults who want to start writing for children. Not only will it offer those adults the tools they need to write, it will also show them exactly what a great book for children should be.
Appropriate for ages 10-14. (I had to pry it out of my 13-year-old son’s hands to get to finish it. And only by promising not to touch his bookmark!)
There are so many parts to love in this book. It has real information about subjects like metaphors, perspective, setting, and plot. At the same time it is light-hearted and very personal. Mazer and Potter have created an invitation to join them in both the success and failure of writing. Their personal stories make the book a pleasure to read, carrying the information easily to readers. Once you start reading, you will find it reads as easily as one of their novels, which is rare in a nonfiction book on the writing process!
Phelan’s art suits the writing well with its organic and natural feel. The illustrations and the fact that the chapters are broken into small bite-sized pieces contribute to the welcoming feel of the entire book.
Highly recommended, I see this as the ideal book to share with writing classes, to encourage young authors, and to hand to adults who want to start writing for children. Not only will it offer those adults the tools they need to write, it will also show them exactly what a great book for children should be.
Appropriate for ages 10-14. (I had to pry it out of my 13-year-old son’s hands to get to finish it. And only by promising not to touch his bookmark!)
March 17, 2016
Spilling ink is a book with many tips about how to write a book. It is tips on how to write, not how to write. It gives great examples and great explanations on why the tips work. It is broken up into sections, for example, one section is about characters and how to make them seem realistic. Another section is about how to make a good conflict in the story. Spilling ink is a book with tips of how to write a book.
I loved the book. It really helped me on my journey to be an author. It had very funny examples and explications. For example she gave a very funny example on cliffhangers. Another example was when she was talking about how to imagine a setting and she said to imagine a chicken nugget sky. It also gave relatable examples. For example she made many references to when she was a child.
I think this book was very helpful because I am starting to write a book. Spilling ink was very useful. It helped me make my characters have better backstories and more detailed personalities. It also helped me make everything more detailed. It pretty much helped me with everything I was stuck on, and a few things that I thought were good but as I read this book I realized that they needed work. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to start to write books. Even if you think you are not interested at all, this book might awaken an interest that you never knew existed inside you. Spilling ink is overall a GREAT book.
I loved the book. It really helped me on my journey to be an author. It had very funny examples and explications. For example she gave a very funny example on cliffhangers. Another example was when she was talking about how to imagine a setting and she said to imagine a chicken nugget sky. It also gave relatable examples. For example she made many references to when she was a child.
I think this book was very helpful because I am starting to write a book. Spilling ink was very useful. It helped me make my characters have better backstories and more detailed personalities. It also helped me make everything more detailed. It pretty much helped me with everything I was stuck on, and a few things that I thought were good but as I read this book I realized that they needed work. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to start to write books. Even if you think you are not interested at all, this book might awaken an interest that you never knew existed inside you. Spilling ink is overall a GREAT book.
June 21, 2016
As an instructional coach, I have used this book to inspire three fourth grade classes to add more meat to their writing. The co-authors are published authors of children's literature. They share how to bring characters and writing to life in a hilarious and amusing way. Threaded throughout each chapter are dares for the reader to complete. My daughter that is about to enter 7th grade absolutely LOVES this book. She stole it from me! Her favorite part is the dares that are threaded throughout each chapter. She brings a notebook to accompany the book so that she can complete the dares. BTW, the students in the three fourth grade classes wanted me to come back for another Spilling Ink lesson and several parents of the students wanted to know how to order the book for their own libraries. The three fourth grade teachers want to purchase the book for use in their own classrooms too. An excellent book for children, adults, and teachers.
July 11, 2016
I loved how this isn't just your typical tips from some guy no ones ever heard of. This book was written by numerous well known authors and the way they wrote it really appealed to my senses, especially seeing as how the styles were different amongst writers however seemed to be written solely for me. I liked how there was some humor in some areas, like the prologue the very first sentence read "Congratulations! No one ever reads the prologue so I'd like to give you some kudos, we're gonna get along great" I believe it said or something along those lines. The advice was clear and concise and made sense from a logical standpoint and really made me feel that getting into writing really isn't as intimidating as it seems. This book has helped me in many ways as a young writer but mature reader.
July 17, 2019
A really fun read with lots of great tips for writers of any age!
July 30, 2010
Whether you are a child, teenager or adult...whether you are a writer or just secretly dream of writing...this is a wonderful reference book to get you writing or help improve what you have written. It is written for an audience 3rd grade and older and really breaks down not only the process of "writing" but all the different elements of story, character, voice, etc. It gives "writing" assignments, examples, and tries to break down this overwhelming task into bite size pieces. I loved the book...I would use it in the classroom, with my children, and am starting to try some of the writing exercises myself!
June 2, 2012
This was like my 7,000,000 read. This is an amazing, amazing writing book. It covers plot, characters, writing style, writing habit, metaphors and similes, writing picture books, battling writers block, dealing with criticism, and so much more. I go back to it whenever I'm stuck. And though I've checked it out at the library each time, I'm ordering it on Amazon soon. Best yet - Anne and Ellen put it all together with a modern, humorous, and anything-but-boring style!
December 21, 2021
Spilling Ink is a masterpiece for young authors! Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter tackle important issues for young writers with sage advice and witty humor. Peppered with clever examples and inspiring prompts, this book is a must-have!
July 4, 2019
I loved this book, and I really wish it had been around when I was a child wanting to be a writer. Fantastic writing advice and information written in clear, friendly language. I have bookmarks throughout the pages of things I want to excerpt and share with my students. Really wonderful book!
November 28, 2010
This is a joyous energetic writing guide, good for any age! Seems especially appropriate for middle-grade authors.
January 31, 2016
Loved this helpful and motivating/inspiring book =)
March 28, 2017
Anyone wanting to be a writer should read this book. It has lots of great advice and helpful information. It was nice to see that my personality was a lot like a writer's personality.
May 18, 2017
A good guide that's also captivating. I probably read this like 5 times as a kid.
June 10, 2017
While written primarily for children and young adults who are interested in taking up the pen, the book is full of good advice for would-be writers of any age.
December 9, 2017
Spilling Ink is a wonderful book with lots of practical advice. I would recommend it to writers if all ages.
May 31, 2018
Very inspiring and helpful to a young writer
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