"Tips For Young Writers"

1. Read, read, and read some more. The more you read, the better you write. Reading in bed with a bowl of popcorn is the best way to go about this.

2. Keep a journal, something private, where you can let out your inner most thoughts. This is good if like me, you have a very bad memory. I do remember keeping a locked diary when I was a girl. I only wish I could remember what I had written in it! Another good hint, don't ever throw your journals or diaries away!

3. Look for inspiration right in your own back yard. You don't have to travel across an ocean to find great ideas for stories. You can find them in your classroom, your lunchroom, your bathtub! Your family and friends can turn out to be your best characters. My two sons, Noah and Jess inspired me to write Awfully Short For The Fourth Grade, Back In Action, and George Washington's Socks. Many of my family and friends are sprinkled throughout my books.

4. Learn from the pros. When you do read, choose the best writers you can find. They can often be your best teachers. [...]

5. Don't expect perfect, ever. Expect mistakes, and lot of them! Most writers rewrite over and over, I know I do. And don't write in stone - meaning don't think you can't change or improve what you've written, even if you've worked on it for a very long time. Sometimes you have to write through lots of trash before you get to the treasure.

6. Don't try and correct each and every word as you go. Write your story out and then go back and make your corrections. Worrying about spelling, grammar, and punctuation while you're writing can bog you down. I check all those boring things over after I've finished for the day.

7. Read what you've written out loud. I do this all the time so that I can hear how the words flow.

8. Become a people watcher. Where ever you are take notice of people and their reactions to events. This will help you when you develop your characters.

9. When you travel keep an eye out for a story and take a notebook along with you. You never know where inspiration will turn up!

10. Write from your heart. Write about things that matter most to you and your words will soar!