cover image Juicy Writing: Inspiration and Techniques for Young Writers

Juicy Writing: Inspiration and Techniques for Young Writers

Brigid Lowry, . . Allen & Unwin, $10.99 (201pp) ISBN 978-1-74175-048-5

“Writing is a bit like gardening,” suggests New Zealand author Lowry (Things You Either Hate or Love ), in this holistic handbook that has a touch of Zen. Thoughtful and affirmative reflections on the joys and challenges of the craft address topics like finding inspiration in the everyday, fundamentals of story and character, and healing through writing. Exercises such as “invent new meanings for common words,” writing samples, and prompts encourage readers to put pen to page. It's a sensitive guide for writers just starting out, but frequent references to literary figures (for example, William Gass took photographs of seedy New York scenes to get in the mood) and gentle humor (why being a writer is good: “You get to act stranger than most people and it's considered okay, because you're a writer”) should please more seasoned wordsmiths, too. Ages 14–up. (Dec.)