Writing Magic

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

pick

I‘m a sucker for books about writing—I enjoy them both as a reader & as someone who occasionally does some editing. This short volume was first published in 2006 (and may be hard to find) & it‘s a fantastic resource for young aspiring writers. Levine breaks everything down into short chapters—on character, getting stuck, setting, revising & loads more—that always end with a writing exercise to reinforce the lesson. Encouraging & informative.

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K.Wielechowski

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

so-so

There‘s one lesson you will definitely learn from this book: save everything you write.

Otherwise it‘s pretty basic, definitely written for a younger crowd with good advice for new young writers.

7 likes

SMayWrites

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

pick

I loved this little book! While written for a younger crowd, I think any writer could devine numerous tidbits of useful information from these pages. It is written in a conversational tone and writing exercises are provided, based on the chapters. Great for budding writers!

19 likes

SMayWrites

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

Found this little book hidden behind some others on the shelf one day at work. I know it's written to a younger crowd but I wanted to see what I could learn from it. So today I'm perusing while I eat my lunch. 😊

#writingmagic #writingbook #writer

18 likes

GingerAntics

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

pick

This book is obviously written for kids. I think Apple Books marked it as 3rd grade. It‘s still a great, straightforward book about writing that doesn‘t try to impose any ideas on you. It‘s encouraging and the whole point is to get you writing. It doesn‘t matter how old you are, if you don‘t have fun with this book you need to check your pulse because you might be dead.
#creativewriting #gailcarsonlevine #writingmagic

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GingerAntics

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

Okay, so we‘ve talked about the vices and virtues of first and third person, but what about tenses? I don‘t think I‘ve ever read anything in future tense; although I‘m sure it‘s possible. Almost everything for adults is in past tense, isn‘t it? What do you like writing in? Anyone have problems sticking with one in a first draft?
#writersoflitsy #nanowrimo #listynano #creativewriting #pov #tense

wanderinglynn, twohectobooks, Texreader, CocoReads, CrowCAH, JazzFeathers, jmofo, Adriannagab

Texreader I generally dislike present tense. Only the very best writers can pull it off in my opinion. 6y

GingerAntics @Texreader I‘ll agree with that. Usually I write in past tense, but all of a sudden now I start in past and I end up slipping into present, and then when I notice it throws off my rhythm because I go back to fix it. Then again it probably doesn‘t matter for writing and development exercises anyway. They‘re never going to see the light of day. lol (edited) 6y

RaimeyGallant I prefer writing in past, but I have written in present as well. I suppose I've written portions of essays in future, but it's disorienting, and I don't like it. A lot of adult and YA novels are written in present these days. 6y

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CocoReads Usually past. I‘ve been writing in 3rd person but I‘ve got a character screaming in my head that only comes through in first person. (Arrogant rock stars-what can you do? 🤷‍♀️) 6y

twohectobooks I have no problems with first person unless present tense is also involved. Present tense has occasionally been done effectively but usually doesn‘t work for me. Not sure I‘ve ever seen second person deployed in a way I enjoyed much either. My own writing tends to be a mix of first person and third, trending toward third. Trying to think of whether I‘ve ever seen future tense and I can‘t think of any examples! 6y

GingerAntics @CocoReads 🤣😂🤣 arrogant bastards! I think you‘re stuck with them...unless you kill them off!!! (Didn‘t know you were writing a murder mystery, did you? lol) 6y

GingerAntics @twohectobooks @Texreader there is a big gap in first person present and well done first person present. I think it‘s hard to get that to not sound almost like a little kid telling a story. I‘ve never read anything in second person and I‘m not sure I‘d enjoy it. I agree with @RaimeyGallant that future tense tends to be essays, but it‘s weird writing that way. 6y

GingerAntics @Texreader so how are you handling the first person sections of Cold My Heart? It threw me off at first and took me three chapters to figure out that she was using it in a very specific situation. At first I was trying to figure out who “I” was (I think it‘s actually two different “I”s, too). 🤨 p.s. no idea how far you‘ve gotten so I don‘t want to say too much. I‘m on chapter 5 now. 6y

Texreader @GingerAntics Only on chapter 2, but I was thinking about her writing in present tense because so far I think she‘s done it well. But I don‘t know yet who “I” is either. 6y

Adriannagab I always do past ... last week I had an assignment on micro fiction that had to be done in present tense. It was awful 😱😱😱 I spent like 2hrs trying to come up with one page and my mind kept going to past tense🤦🏽‍♀️. So yeah present tense is def for pros😂..Can‘t imagine anything written in future tense tho 6y

GingerAntics @Texreader oops, I gave a little something away then. Don‘t look. lol 6y

GingerAntics @Adriannagab I keep slipping between the two while doing exercises and development stuff right now. You could have written it in past and gone back and changed it to present. 6y

CrowCAH Mainly I write in first person past. I find that the easiest to write. But I have done third person closed past tense. I feel I need to challenge myself and write a first person present, since it seems that‘s what the young adult genre has started to use, but have yet to find the story to tell it in. 6y

GingerAntics @CrowCAH yeah, I get the feeling that first person present is going to feel weird unless it‘s just the right story. I‘m totally intimidated by present though. There are so many ways it can go wrong and only a few ways it can go right. 6y

14 likes14 comments

GingerAntics

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

More on the use of “said.” I think this fits more with what we were saying yesterday. I guess I should have read one more chapter yesterday. lol
#writingmagic #gailcarsonlevine #creativewriting #nanowrimo #litsynano #writersoflitsy

wanderinglynn, twohectobooks, Texreader, CocoReads, CrowCAH, JazzFeathers, jmofo, Adriannagab

CrowCAH Precisely. 6y

17 likes1 comment

GingerAntics

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

No idea why I resist using “said.” I guess I do think it‘s boring. I keep meaning to pay attention to what my favourite authors use, but I always forget. I tend to put movement information there that also identifies the speaker. Maybe I need to take “said” for a spin.
#creativewriting #writingmagic #gailcarsonlevine #nanowrimo #litsynano #writersoflitsy #speechtags

wanderinglynn, twohectobooks, Texreader, CocoReads, CrowCAH, JazzFeathers, jmofo, Adriannagab

jmofo When writing dialogue, I have a tendency to use words that describe HOW something is said or what the person is doing when they say things. This is an interesting observation, though. I will definitely think about it and pay attention. 6y

CrowCAH I use said or an action verb to show movement of the character, adds dimension to what they “said”. 6y

Adriannagab It‘s an interesting point of view. I agree with @jmofo I often use facial expressions or movements instead, like “she peered over”, “she scrutinized”, “she raised an eyebrow” etc. and then add the dialogue (edited) 6y

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GingerAntics @jmofo @CrowCAH @Adriannagab i basically do a combination of what you guys do. If I use anything specific to speaking, I‘ll say something was whispered, screamed, cried, etc. I prefer the facial expression or the movement of the characters. I‘m glad I‘m not the only one. 6y

twohectobooks I‘m a big proponent of “said” with rare exceptions for the volume of the statement (screamed, whispered) or comic effect. 6y

twohectobooks I also need to pay closer attention to what my favourite authors do, though. I suspect that if I haven‘t noticed, it‘s because they‘re using “said” more often than not, but [citation needed]. 6y

GingerAntics @twohectobooks comic effect? I want to hear more about this. Do you ever feel like it‘s boxing you in or forcing you to use words that end in “-ly” which is supposed to be a no-no? I‘ve had that same thought about my favourite authors, but I‘ve never paid attention, either. (edited) 6y

twohectobooks I just flipped through some of my Terry Pratchett books because I‘m sure he did it sometimes but didn‘t find any examples. No luck! Also checked the Gormenghast trilogy and no luck there either. I think what I mean is the use of inherently funny words like “bloviated” or “expostulated” or “spluttered.” But they should only be deployed on occasion! 6y

twohectobooks Also I personally tend to use lots of adverbs but I gave up beating myself up about it after reading From Here to Eternity, which is conservatively at least 20% adverbs. If James Jones could get away with that, I‘m doing ok.

From Here to Eternity: The Restored Edition

GingerAntics @twohectobooks I‘ve always heard adverbs are no-no words and to cut them all, but then I see them in books all the time. Oh okay, I do use words like that on occasion, usually more for a specific character that‘s a goof or something. 6y

GingerAntics @twohectobooks I‘m going to have to check out From Here to Eternity now. It sounds interesting. 6y

twohectobooks I didn‘t like it at all but it was a huge hit when it was released, so I may be in the minority! 6y

16 likes12 comments

GingerAntics

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

Sometimes you just need to skim over something that is less important to get to something that‘s important to the narrative.
#creativewriting #gailcarsonlevine #writingmagic #tell #show #both #writersoflitsy #litsynano #nanowrimo

16 likes

GingerAntics

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

I feel like this was written just for me. I know this exact person, I never shower her my writing again, and I‘m still writing today (after a bit of a hiatus because what did I know as a kid, I did actually believe her for a while).
#creativewriting #writingmagic #gailcarsonlevine

CocoReads I took a 20+ year hiatus, mostly because I was busy raising kids but also partly for the same reason. 6y

GingerAntics @CocoReads my hiatus was almost that long. It‘s amazing the power the words of one critic can have. 6y

CocoReads It‘s true. Words can hurt. They can also heal-but it‘s easier to hurt than to heal. 😕 which reminds me-I‘m trying out the goal tracker on the nano site. I‘m trying for 100 words a day before nov. yesterday, I did 300 but today I haven‘t gotten any in yet. I did study for an hour so that‘s something necessary, but much less fun. 6y

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GingerAntics @CocoReads I‘m enjoying the goal tracker as well. I got myself into the habit of writing a little every day and it seems that the amount I write every day is getting longer and longer, although some days are shorter for various reasons. You got this!!! 6y

CocoReads @GingerAntics I just started yesterday, I‘m planning on getting some in today, possibly after dinner. I‘m not sure how it‘ll go once the workeeek starts tomorrow but that‘s why I wanted to start building the habit now-I was only working part time last year, this year I‘m full time 6y

GingerAntics @CocoReads I worried about writing on busy work days, too. Luckily, (knock on wood) it hasn‘t been a problem yet. 6y

RavenLovelyReads We‘ve all encountered that person. She‘s miserable! I‘m glad to hear you are writing again! 🤓 6y

GingerAntics @RavenLovelyReads who are these horrible, candle-snuffling people? 6y

RavenLovelyReads Right?!? 😂😂 whenever I meet “her” again I‘m gonna tell her “back off my candle!” 😂😂 6y

GingerAntics @RavenLovelyReads YES!!! I doubt I‘ll ever meet mine again, but I will gladly tell her that...right after I make sure she‘s incredibly clear on the fact that I have a masters now so her claim that I was stupid and wasn‘t cut out for college was total BS (because obviously everyone can tell that about 4th graders). 🙄 6y

CrowCAH Such a great quote! I needed to hear that as a writer myself. Thanks for following me! I might need to pick your brain, since my novel is set during the Golden Age of Piracy ☠️ and that falls in your 18th century expertise! (edited) 6y

GingerAntics @CrowCAH honestly, I don‘t know nearly as much about piracy as I‘d like, so it might be a good excuse to read more. I know the basics, but nothing detailed. Lord knows it was rampant at that point. 6y

CrowCAH @GingerAntics lol very true! Even I don‘t know too much, but I‘m learning fact from fiction with every book I read! 6y

GingerAntics @CrowCAH there is a lot of legend out there. I think that‘s what draws people in, but then the facts tend to turn out to be even more interesting. 6y

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GingerAntics

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

My writing philosophy, summed up for me.
#creativewriting #writingmagic #gailcarsonlevine #nanowrimo #alwayslearning #alwayswriting #writersoflitsy #litsynano #practicemakesprogress

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GingerAntics

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

Perfectionists beware!!!
Almost curious to know how many writers are perfectionists. I‘ve heard a lot of my favourite authors say they‘re perfectionists, so I‘m wondering if this is a common trait among writers.
#writingmagic #gailcarsonlevine #creativewriting #perfectionist #nosuchthingasperfect
I think I‘ve tagged all of my #writersoflitsy friends. Let me know if I‘ve missed anyone. #litsynano #nanowrimo #writeon

wanderinglynn, Texreader, CocoReads, jmofo

CocoReads I‘m not a perfectionist per se, but I also hate to let anyone see my writing. That‘s more of an insecurity thing for me though. @CrowCAH writes too! 6y

GingerAntics @CocoReads I actually started writing at the encouragement of an amazing teacher and then passed them around for the whole class to read. It was the weirdest team sport ever. lol Then a bad teacher turned me off writing for years, and now I don‘t like showing my work to anyone anymore. I‘m with you on that one. 6y

CrowCAH @CocoReads @GingerAntics yup I‘m a writer and recently became an author, with some short works in an anthology; tagged. I am a bit of a perfectionist, but really it‘s more about getting the story right.

Sterling Script: A Local Author Collection

GingerAntics @CrowCAH wow you‘ve been published? Cool. 6y

15 likes4 comments

GingerAntics

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

I absolutely HATE writing in third person omniscient. It's ridiculous. Who the hell does this willingly? It's madness. Just because I have ADHD doesn't mean my story has to.
#creativewriting #gailcarsonlevine #writingmagic #nanowrimo #litsynano #writersoflitsy #pov

twohectobooks Third person omniscient can be good when done well but is very difficult to deal with when done poorly. I think I still prefer it over first person present tense, however! 6y

Adriannagab My creative writing prof says it creates more “dramatic tension”🤷🏽‍♀️ but agreed it‘s kind of awkward 😂 6y

GingerAntics @Adriannagab it's just weird. It's all over the place. @twohectobooks I prefer limited third person over first person (accept in very limited, character development writing exercise situations). Third person omniscient is just too all over the place for me. It's not happening. I'm glad I gave it a go, just for the experience, but I am never using it in a story. 6y

Texreader Ditto what @twohectobooks said. First person present tense always reads as if it‘s for youngest end of YA 6y

11 likes4 comments

GingerAntics

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

Maybe this is my problem...I‘m just too nice to people...I can be evil to my characters.
Yeah, but I love them.
#writer #writingproblems #nanowrimo #nano2018 #writersoflitsy #litsynano #gailcarsonlevine #writingmagic #itson

21 likes

GingerAntics

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

Interesting. Author‘s get to explore their inner evil.
#writer #nanowrimo #nano2018 #writingmagic #gailcarsonlevine #litsynano #writersoflitsy

jmofo I don‘t know, there‘s a difference between cruelty and pragmatism in writing. 6y

GingerAntics @jmofo I think so, too. I think this book is possibly meant for younger writers who probably don‘t know the word pragmatism or wouldn‘t see the difference. I like this book because it‘s all about the writing. It talks about something briefly and then gives a writing exercises. Every exercise can basically be tweaked to fit whatever you‘re working on at the time. (edited) 6y

18 likes2 comments

GingerAntics

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

I swear this bit was written for me...and apparently a bunch of other people. This is one of the things that make me love this book.
#writingmagic #gailcarsonlevine #creativewriting

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GingerAntics

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

I feel like this is a legit thing we should all sign on to. That whole “respect my writing self” is probably the one that needs the most work from my end.
#writingmagic #gailcarsonlevine #writersoath #writer #nanowrimo #litsynano #writersoflitsy

14 likes

GingerAntics

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

A few rules for writers. I think most of us do 5 and 6 if nothing else.
#writingmagic #gailcarsonlevine #writer #writersoflitsy #writersarereaders

zsuzsanna_reads Yes for #6! 6y

GingerAntics @zsuzsanna_reads right? 6y

zsuzsanna_reads I would even add: copy out your favourite passages by hand or typed, it doesn't matter. Writing the words down makes me understand the structure of the language in a new way. I also like this for short passages: break a paragraph up into shorter lines as if it was a prose poem. This helps me understand the rhythm of language I like. 6y

zsuzsanna_reads Or maybe I'm just weird 😂😂😂 6y

GingerAntics @zsuzsanna_reads I sort of do that. I keep a record of quotes I like and read them again and again. Before I found Litsy I annoyed my friends on IG with them. Here people actually appreciate them. lol 6y

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GingerAntics

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

My favourite book on writing. I‘ve since lost my copy, but it‘s $2 on iBooks. Perhaps I should read this before NaNoWriMo, and focus entirely on writing exercises outside of that.
#nanowrimo #writingmagic #gailcarsonlevine

GingerAntics @jmofo this is the first book I ever read on writing. I found it at B&N in about 2009. It was simple and straight forward and helped me to focus my writing more and it was very encouraging. Wonderbook was really just the second book I read on writing, the more I think about it. I have an ebook around here somewhere from a writer‘s reference from the class I took that I can‘t remember the first author of so it‘s hard to search for it. 6y

GingerAntics @jmofo I guess the intro part of 3 AM Epiphany could count as a book on writing, but that entire book is all about getting you writing. So Wonderbook could be my third considered that way. lol

3 AM Epiphany

(edited) 6y

jmofo Bird by Bird is a popular book on writing and I remember appreciating at least some of it. I remember really appreciating Writing down the Bones in high school. I also really enjoy the pod cast Writing Excuses. It‘s good for searching for topics and dipping in and out of. Fair warning: my tbr pile has definitely grown listening to it, though!

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within

GingerAntics @jmofo someone else suggested Bird by Bird the other day. I added it to my TBR. 6y

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JTRobertson

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

pick

This was obviously written for kids and teens, so I approached it that way. The author was kind, careful, and imparted excellent advice I wish I'd had when I started writing.

A quick read. As an adult there's not a lot to learn if you've any writing, but it was still fun to read.

7 likes

Read4life

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

#truth Rereading a favorite book can be like catching up with an old friend.

24 likes

BetterWorldBooks

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

Is there a book you love to reread?

11 likes

KnjiskiZmaj

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly | Gail Carson Levine

A book is the cheapest, yet most valuable ticket that can take you beyond borders of space and time. A space full of those tickets is truly a infinite space full of possibilities. So, I'm building my own infinity, so far so good! 😍
#quoteoftheday

7 likes

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