Applying the approach of ''reading-as-a-writer'' to the craft of writing for young people, this textbook combines critical analysis, unique author-insight and practical application of ideas to give writers the skills to create successful fiction for youth audiences. Under the guidance of children''s author Elen Caldecott, compelling close readings dig deep into the construction of modern classics and contemporary middle grade, YA, picture books and more to explore how paragraphs, sentences and words engineer specific reader responses. Interviews with the author of the extracted work follow before each chapter rounds off with writing exercises that prompt writers to engage with techniques and ideas discussed. Accessible and equipping writers with the valuable knowledge and skills to write in one of the fastest-growing fields in creative writing, Writing for Young People draws upon the works of prominent writers such as Jon Klassen, Patrick Ness, Liz Kessler, Faridah abike-lyimide and more. It also features: - Author interviews covering topics such as their writing and editing process, their perspective on the analysis made of their work, and the book''s origin - Discussion of vital craft techniques in novel-writing and editing including language, plotting, character construction, narrative time, worldbuilding, dialogue, cultural history, tropes and conventions - Coverage of key contemporary issues that students, teachers and professional writers of fiction for youth audiences will encounter from archetypes, class and race, and transnational writing, to conceptions of childhood, environment, colonialism, power, coming-of-age and social justice - Consideration of the role of wider literary and community landscapes in creating compelling texts Light-hearted but intellectually rigorous and rewarding, the field of writing for youth readers has been waiting for this book.

Autorentext
Elen Caldecott graduated with an MA in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University and was highly commended in the PFD Prize for Most Promising Writer for Young People. Before becoming a writer, she was an archaeologist, a nurse, a theatre usher and a museum security guard. It was while working at the museum that Elen realised there is a way to steal anything if you think about it hard enough. Elen either had to become a master thief, or create some characters to do it for her - and so her debut novel, How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant, was born. Kirsty Jenkins was shortlisted for the Waterstone's Children's Prize and longlisted for the 2010 Carnegie Award. Kirsty Jenkins was followed by How Ali Ferguson Saved Houdini. Operation Eiffel Tower is Elen's third novel for Bloomsbury. Elen lives in Bristol with her husband, Simon, and their dog. www.awfullybigblogadventure.blogspot.com

Klappentext

Applying the approach of 'reading-as-a-writer' to the craft of writing for young people, this textbook combines critical analysis, unique author-insight and practical application of ideas to give writers the skills to create successful fiction for youth audiences. Under the guidance of children's author Elen Caldecott, compelling close readings dig deep into the construction of modern classics and contemporary middle grade, YA, picture books and more to explore how paragraphs, sentences and words engineer specific reader responses. Interviews with the author of the extracted work follow before each chapter rounds off with writing exercises that prompt writers to engage with techniques and ideas discussed.

Accessible and equipping writers with the valuable knowledge and skills to write in one of the fastest-growing fields in creative writing, Writing for Young People draws upon the works of prominent writers such as Jon Klassen, Patrick Ness, Liz Kessler, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and more. It also features:

• Author interviews covering topics such as their writing and editing process, their perspective on the analysis made of their work, and the book's origin

  • Discussion of vital craft techniques in novel-writing and editing including language, plotting, character construction, narrative time, worldbuilding, dialogue, cultural history, tropes and conventions
  • Coverage of key contemporary issues that students, teachers and professional writers of fiction for youth audiences will encounter from archetypes, class and race, and transnational writing, to conceptions of childhood, environment, colonialism, power, coming-of-age and social justice
  • Consideration of the role of wider literary and community landscapes in creating compelling texts

  Light-hearted but intellectually rigorous and rewarding, the field of writing for youth readers has been waiting for this book.

  Inhalt

  Permissions
  Introduction
  Cited Works
  Chapter One
  Section 1: This Is Not My Hat written and illustrated by Jon Klassen, A Critical Discussion....................................................................................
  Cited Works
  Section 2: An Interview with Jon Klassen
  Section 3: This Is Not My Hat, Writing Exercises
  Chapter Two
  Section 1: Dave Pigeon, written by Swapna Haddow and illustrated by Sheena Dempsey, A Critical Discussion
  Cited Works
  Section 2: An Interview with Swapna Haddow
  Section 3: Dave Pigeon, Writing Exercises
  Chapter Three
  Section 1: The Strangeworlds Travel Agency by L.D. Lapinski, A Critical Discussion
  Cited Works
  Section 2: An Interview with L.D. Lapinski
  Section 3: The Strangeworlds Travel Agency, Writing Exercises
  Chapter Four
  Section 1: October, October by Katya Balen, A Critical Discussion
  Cited Works
  Section 2: An Interview with Katya Balen
  Section 3: October, October, Writing Exercises
  Chapter Five
  Section 1: Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga, A Critical Discussion
  Cited Works
  Section 2: An Interview with Jasmine Warga
  Section 3: Other Words For Home, Writing Exercises
  Chapter Six
  Section 1: When The World Was Ours by Liz Kessler, A Critical Discussion
  Cited Works
  Section 2: An Interview with Liz Kessler
  Section 3: When the World Was Ours, Writing Exercises
  Chapter Seven
  Section 1: The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, A Critical Discussion
  Cited Works
  Section 2: An Interview with Patrick Ness
  Cited Works
  Section 3: The Knife of Never Letting Go, Writing Exercises
  Chapter Eight
  Section 1: Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, A Critical Discussion
  Cited Works
  Section 2: An Interview with Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
  Section 3: Ace of Spades, Writing Exercises
  Bibliography
  Index