July
- August 2004
Picture Writing: A New Approach to Writing for Kids and Teens by Anastasia Suen
(Writer’s Digest Books, ISBN No.: 1-58297-072-6, $16.99)
Reviewed by Lynne Remick
Focusing on the importance of words and the images they create, author/educator Anastasia Suen offers an innovative technique by which to learn and/or improve writing skills. The author bills “Picture Writing” as ‘three classes in one book… a children’s fiction writing class…a children’s non-fiction writing class…a children’s poetry writing class.’ It is!
Speaking of pictures, not all children’s writers look alike. Likewise, neither do they think alike. With that in mind, Suen appeals to both right and left side of the brain thinkers. She provides keys to unlocking the mystery of creativity through an analysis of creative thinking. While the topic might appear boring – it’s inspiring.
Because children’s writers aren’t all cut from the same mold and don’t have the same genre interests, Suen’s tutorial features a variety of study methods. Whether you wish to focus on one element or one genre at a time, Suen provides the map that will best help you attain your goals.
While other helpful (but often duplicative) instructional books on writing for children may parrot essential writing terms and concepts, as well as offer tried and true writing tips, Suen’s manual digs deeper, much deeper. You will not only be coached to read, write and revise children’s stories and poems, but to
analyze those examples you have read, i.e., to consider how the piece was set up, why the piece works or why it doesn’t.
Suen not only lights the way to an enhanced understanding of children’s fiction, non-fiction and poetry, but provides the means to understanding through the use of page and chapter story boards, models and reflective questions. The rest of the work, you must do yourself-in itself another important lesson in how to write for children and get published. Grab this book, roll up your sleeves and picture success!
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