Write Right!: Creative Writing Using Storytelling Techniques

by Kendall Haven

Book Overview

Haven's breakthrough approach to creative writing uses storytelling techniques to enhance the creative writing process. This practical guide offers directions for 38 writing exercises that will show students how to create powerful and dynamic fiction. All the steps are included, from finding inspiration and creating believable characters to the final edit. Activities are coded by levels, but most can be adapted to various grades.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1563086778
• ISBN13: 9781563086779
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
• Length: 213 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.2" x 11.1"

Customer Reviews

Very Worth Reading!

I'll get the negative stuff out of the way first: This book seems to be in need of some further editing. The analogy of the layers of onion used in part two to describe layers of "character" needs to be re-worked. The auther starts out fine in explaining the first four "layers of character." Those are listed as sensory image, personality, activity and history. Turn the page and we are getting ready to read about the fifth layer. This is explained as the "core elements of a character." So far, no problem. BUT, turn the next page to where we are supposed to be reading about a character's core elements, and the writing is about three of the first four layers from two pages prior. (???) There is also an entry listed as part of the core of a character which is called "crucible." This is stated to be an outside (external) boost to get the character to go through the coming struggle. How can this be part of the "core of the character" if it is an OUTSIDE/EXTERNAL event? One other confusion I'll mention here is the author's concept of the "BIG Three." He lists the BIG Three core character elements as character, goal and conflict. How can "character" be a core element of itself? There are other apparent inconistencies, but they are similar to those stated. In a nutshell, this section (pages 18-27) needs some work to make sense within the analogy given. THE GOOD NEWS is that if one can basically forget about the analogy and read, the ideas are VERY MUCH worth reading! And very sensible. Kendall Haven, now a professional storyeller, has an education in science and has done research in that field. He has put his research education into looking at "what readers/listeners want" in order to help writers to write better. I would say he has done an excellent job! One final note: I have not yet finished reading this book, but you can bet I will be!

Great TOOL

I teach in a school system that has an extremely strong emphasis on objectives that the students must know. I find Kendall's book to be extremely helpful in teaching Language Arts.