Writing Tips

Looking for some tips on how to write a story? You’ve come to the right place. In this section, I offer my secrets to writing along with writing prompts that students can use to apply my tips. For younger readers, I have a puzzle game and a quiz about True Story. I also have a section for teachers who want some help in inspiring their students to write stories.

 
Writing Tips for Kindergarten-Grade 3

Writing Tips for Kindergarten – Grade 3


Writing Tip #1: Picture the story in your head before you write it down.

Writing Tip #2: Know what your character wants in the story. Make it hard for them to get what they want.

Writing Tip #3: Add fun details to help us imagine your characters. Give them something no one else has. For example, give them an eyepatch, a scar, or a purple dinosaur earring.

Writing prompt: What do you think the boy is trying to tell his dad?

 
Writing Tips for Grades 4-6

Writing Tips for Grades 4-6


Writing can be fun if you know the secret to a good story. The trick is to get your main character into trouble. The more trouble you create for your character, the more interesting the story becomes. Think video games. The best ones are hard to beat. The boring games are the ones you beat in five seconds. In the box below, you’ll find Marty’s secrets to writing, along with a writing prompt.

 
Writing Tips for Grades 7-12

Writing Tips for Grades 7-12


Fiction is a fabric of lies, and your job as writers is to mend all the holes in the material. The key to doing this is in your characters. If we can empathize with your characters and believe in their motivations, we will stick with your story no matter where you take us. Below, you’ll find some tips to help you write your stories.

 
Writing Tips for Teachers

Writing Tips for Teachers


If you’re a librarian or language arts teacher looking for tips and strategies to inspire reluctant readers and writers, you’ve come to the write place. In the box below, I’ve written a few tips I’ve developed over the years.