Telling Tales: Writing Captivating Short Stories

by Rebecca Langston-George

Overview

Inform and engage young writers with this contemporary, creative breakdown of short-story essentials. Clear, concise text introduces and defines key skills while aligning closely to Common Core State Standards. Fun and inspiring writing prompts launch new skills into practice, while author bios and mentor texts provide creative blueprints for budding writers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781491459959
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	08/01/2015
Series:	Writer's Notebook
Pages:	64
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.19(d)
Age Range:	9 - 13 Years

About the Author

Rebecca Langston-George is the author of 12 books including The Booth Brothers: Drama, Fame, and the Death of President Lincoln. She received the Armin R. Schulz Literacy Award from the California Reading Association in 2016 for writing that promotes social justice. Rebecca lives in Bakersfield, California.

Table of Contents

Introduction 4

Chapter 1 What Is a Short Story? 5

Chapter 2 Get Inspired 6

Chapter 3 Plot Your Course 19

Chapter 4 Breathe Life into Your Characters 30

Chapter 5 Getting to the Point 38

Chapter 6 Special Techniques 48

Chapter 7 Conclusion 60

Glossary 62

Read More 63

Internet Sites 63

Index 64

About the Author 64

Interviews

Table of Contents, Glossary, Read More, Facthound, Index, writing prompts, mentor texts, famous author profiles, photos

Editorial Reviews

Top 10 Series Nonfiction! Aspiring poets and playwrights, as well as short story and nonfiction writers, will find plenty to help them hone their skills in this series. With an emphasis on providing strong foundational information and worthwhile exercises, these handsomely designed books make a real impact.

Booklist

11/01/2015
Gr 4–6—A conversational, friendly, encouraging tone enlivens the series, though the cheery, motivating voice makes creative writing seem perhaps too easy ("Inspiration is everywhere! New ideas are just waiting to be discovered."). Notable features include the visuals (strong, captioned photographs and colorful, quirky illustrations); "Your Turn" exercises, which provide stimulating writing prompts; and sidebars that highlight famed authors and excerpts from their works. While useful, explanations and tips aren't always clear or specific. Additionally, organization and focus are a little weak in some volumes, as transitions between topics don't always seem logical. For those who struggle with writing, the wordiness of some titles may prove daunting. Glossary entries include pronunciation guides, with some pronunciation aids proving wholly unnecessary (e.g., instructions in pronouncing the words plot and blog). VERDICT Catch Your Breath is the strongest of the bunch; otherwise, this set is an additional purchase.

School Library Journal