All you need is a bit of Magic

Writing Magic, that is!

Publisher Comments:

Do you want to write stories that catch your readers and never let go? Have you ever wondered how to create a book as magical as Ella Enchanted, as touching as Dave at Night, as captivating as Fairest?Well, now you can find out! In Writing Magic, Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine shares her secrets of great writing. She shows how you, too, can get terrific ideas for stories, invent great beginnings and endings, write sparkling dialogue, develop memorable characters—and much, much more. She advises you about what to do when you feel stuck—and how to use helpful criticism. Best of all, she offers writing exercises that will set your imagination on fire.

With humor, honesty, and wisdom, Gail Carson Levine shows you that you, too, can make magic with your writing.

Check out this fantastic book written for young writers and read my review on Powell’s!

Ready, Set, NaNo!

OK, I’ll make this brief, I’m saving up all my words for NaNo, ya know!

On Tuesday, November 10, stop in and talk to published author, Fiona Ingram. Fiona will give you writing tips and use examples from her newest novel: The Secret of the Sacred Scarab. And if you like Egyptian themes, you’re in for a treat! Fiona will also provide a long list of sites and books to check out to feed that Sphinx craze!

Then come back here throughout the month of November for some rockin’ novel prompts.

I’ll have quick, intriguing ideas on how to take your novel in a new direction. Some prompts will be silly, some scary, some just absurd. It will depend on my coffee level that day : )

Feel free to add your own prompts – you may help another NaNo’er push past a block.

Bring your friends! Bring your Teacher! Bring your Teacher’s Friends! And let’s NaNo!

Inspiration from other Young Writers

Are you a young writer who wishes to be published? Maybe even win a writing contest?

So many young writers don’t think there’s a place for them. But that’s not true. Do your research! Opportunites are out there!

Check out this young writer and read her inspiring interview. This could be YOU!

What inspires you to write and submit your work?

Guest Post: Author, Adam Dustus (win his book!)

Adam Dustus

Today, Adam Dustus guest blogs on WriteLikeCRAZY and is offering his new novel, High School Asylum, to one lucky random winner! Please read the rules at the end of this post for your chance to win!

Begin Your Masterpiece!

Psst…  I’ll let you in on a little secret.  While I’m not certain how many writers know this, you can bet your life they live it.  The secret is attitude.  It is one’s attitude of mind that to a great extent determines what and even how they write, perform, play—or pursue a happy existence.  Writing is influenced by the mood, artistic temperament, and worthy aspirations that always precede goals, both in life and developing a novel.

I find it a major help to begin any writing with the highest expectations for your work.

Since expectations influence outcomes, I ask you to recognize that when writing a piece of any length, the artist needs to do more than brainstorm and develop plots (especially when attempting anything considered socially conscious and relevant). Just as creativity influences narration and outline, your artistic intentions elevate the level of your work through writing down in goal form what you aim to accomplish literally. In taking this important step, the writer automatically begins a journey to fulfill self-generated, noble intentions.

Set out to clearly define your reasons for writing your piece.  Sure it is okay to wing it, vent, and have fun with your writing. However, do not be afraid to “DREAM BIG” by first defining what you set out to do.  Have no limits in your brainstorm.  To illustrate this idea, take my first novel High School Asylum.  The following had been my goals for this novel:

Goals for the creation of High School Asylum:

• Expose the alienation that many young “loners” experience in high school, as well as the social sickness that is alienation (draw from personal experience)
• Realistically create a fictional public high school.
• Design this book to be a beginning for dialogue for the field of education (From “The Ivory Tower” of higher ed. to inside a high school English classroom.
• Expose the violence of suburban New Jersey
• Express my moral conviction against war

Final thoughts… Everyone’s artistic vision will be different.  As it is for most art in many genres and forms (both traditional and digital), the beauty of writing is that artists adapt to methods and make them their own.  Writing is the most personally engaging and intimate artistic form.  Great writing transforms the reader and author in ways that no other art form is able.  Dare to create and make it great. Now, begin your masterpiece!

_______________________________________________________________________
Adam Dustus is a blogger, novelist, poet, graphic artist, and podcaster.  His most notable literary work to date is High School Asylum, which depicts the overwhelming emotions of feeling alienated from life and high school culture. Adam is currently putting the finishing touches on his second novel, Sounds From A House.

Visit The Dustus Blog @ http://dustus.wordpress.com.

Adam’s novels and poetry can be ordered through Amazon.com.

Any one can leave a question or comment for Adam today, but only young writers can enter to win a copy of his novel!

ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF HIGH SCHOOL ASYLUM:

(RULES)

You must be 25-years-old or YOUNGER to post for entry to the giveaway

You must have a U.S. shipping address

You must post at least ONE Writing Goal you have for yourself (Bonus entry  if you share your plan to achieve that goal!) The more goals you have the more entries you earn!

Be specific, like “I’d like to publish a fantasty novel before I’m 30″ or “I want to learn how to write better dialogue.”

Posts must be made by 12 mindnight Central Time, Sept 25, 2009

Good luck!

Come back tomorrow to see if you’ve won ; )

Mary Jo’s Note:  All comments are subject to my approval. Since this is a blog for young writers, I WILL NOT post any comments that are lewd, vulgar or harmful in any way.

Wanna win a free book?

Hey young writers! 

I’m honored to have new novelist, Adam Dustus, author of HighSchool Asylum, guest blogging on WriteLikeCRAZY this Friday, Sept. 25! And you can win his book!

 Adam has been writing fiction and poetry his whole life and shares his story of how to stay motivated by having goals for your writing.

 What are your goals for your writing? 

Do you want to see your name in print? Have a book made into a blockbuster movie? Maybe just improve your grades on school papers?  Well, it all begins with a goal.

Share your goal with us for a chance to win…

Wanna win Adam’s book, High School Asylum for free?  Then come back over to the WriteLikeCRAZY blog on Friday before midnight and post a comment telling us about your writing goals! One lucky winner will be randomly selected. Be sure to follow the rules posted on Friday!!!

You can also leave a question or comment for author Adam Dustus as he will be replying all day.

Can’t wait to “see” you there!

The Authors are coming…the authors are coming!

OK, I’ve been feeling a little guilty about something and need to come clean.

Ready?

I’ve been cheating on you.

Well, it’s not what it seems. Really.

Hear me out.

My other blog, Writers Inspired, was created first, about a year ago. I created that blog as a means to  communicate with fellow writers who took a Christina Katz on-line course with me. This was were we’d keep each other on track with our goals and post upcoming contests and editors or markets to stay away from.

Then, you were born. Well, not you, but WriteLikeCRAZY. I began this blog as a way for my own writing students to keep in touch, share their work and gain writing prompts, tips and links to contests. Plus, some silly stuff along the way.

I feel guilty that I’ve been reeling in authors, interviews and book giveaways for Writers Inspired, yet leaving my young readers high and dry. Say it ain’t so, Mary Jo.   *sigh*  It’s so.

So… how about I invite authors of young adult and teen novels to guest post and giveaway books here?! Yeah? You like that idea, right?

But, I need your help:

First, tell me some of your favorite NEW authors and their book titles.

Then, tell me what you’d like to know from these authors: how many hours a week they write; how many drafts until they feel confident that their manuscript is complete; do they drink pots of coffee and stay up all night to get their ideas on paper; how did they first get published – even ask them to describe their desk or work area.

I’ll start bringing in the authors – you start giving me some questions for them. Deal? Deal! Good, now I don’t feel dirty.

: )

A week of Quotes, day 4

“Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out if they’ve got a second. Give your dreams all you’ve got and you’ll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.”

William James

1842-1910, Author

Feel free to share your thoughts on this quote or favorite quotes that get you out of a writing rut.

A week of Quotes, day 3

If you don’t feel that you are possibly on the edge of

humiliating yourself, of losing control of the whole thing,

then probably what you are doing isn’t very vital.

If you don’t feel like you are writing somewhat over your head,

why do it? If you don’t have some doubt of your authority to

tell this story, then you are not trying to tell enough.

~ John Irving

Feel free to share your thoughts on this quote or favorite quotes that get you out of a writing rut.

 

A week of Quotes

While I’m preparing lesson plans and writing games for my young writers’ summer studio, I’m offering some inspiration for the week:

Each day I will post a new inspiring quote to help you along your writing path.

“Be creative. Use unconventional thinking. And have the guts to carry it out.”

Lee Iacocca

Automobile Executive and Author

Feel free to share your thoughts on this quote or favorite quotes that get you out of a writing rut.

5 Prompt Friday

{photo courtesy of eosfoundation.org}

Five prompts to get your pen movin’ and groovin’:

1. It was the last morning of summer vacation.
2. Write about finding a green post-it with a handwritten message on your car’s windshield.
3. You find a voodoo doll in your best friend’s backpack.
4. After taking a large bite of your favorite pizza you bite down on sharp metallic object.
5. Someone broke into your Facebook page and has been “friending” all of your enemies.

Have fun!  Share what you wrote with us!