English Composition

Discover the power of your imagination and awaken your inner writer with "101 Writing Prompts for Teens." This dynamic book is filled with captivating prompts that will take you on emotional journeys and transport you to fantastical worlds.

Partly a how-to guide on the nitty-gritty of writing, partly a collection of inspiration to set (and meet) ambitious goals, Brave the Page is the go-to resource for middle-grade writers. Narrated in a fun, refreshingly kid-friendly voice, it champions NaNoWriMo's central mission that everyone's stories deserve to be told. The volume includes chapters on character, plot, setting, and the like; motivating essays from popular authors; advice on how to commit to your goals; a detailed plan for writing a novel or story in a month; and more!

Have you ever wanted to captivate readers with a great opening, create fantastical creatures, realize a dastardly villain, or make your characters leap off the page? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Gail Carson Levine can help you achieve your goals. This companion to the popular Writing Magic teaches you how to become a world-class author. Drawing from her popular blog, the Newbery Honor author answers readers' questions and dives into how to make a story come alive.

Writing can feel like an endless series of decisions. How does one face the blank page? Move a character around a room? Deal with time? Undertake revision? The good and bad news is that in fiction writing, there are no definitive answers to such questions: writers must come up with their own. Elizabeth McCracken, author of bestselling novels, National Book Award long-listed story collections, and a highly praised memoir, has been teaching for more than thirty-five years, guiding her many students through their own answers. In A Long Game, she shares insights gleaned along the way.

Unlock the transformative power of poetry as both artistic expression and spiritual practice with this comprehensive guide to finding your authentic voice. "Rising Wings" takes you on a seven-step journey through the landscape of your emotions, memories, and observations, providing concrete techniques to transform raw experience into resonant verse. Written with lyrical wisdom and practical insight, this book combines inspirational guidance with actionable exercises designed to develop every aspect of your poetic craft—from awakening deep listening and embracing difficult emotions to ...

Step into a world where nature meets artistry and tradition blooms with every leaf and stone. "Living Sculptures" is an all-encompassing guide to the delicate and beautiful practices of Penjing, Saikei, and Bonsai. Discover the secrets of these ancient arts that teach us to see the majestic in the miniature, to find the universe in a single leaf, and to capture the essence of landscapes in the space within our own hands. Embark on a journey that begins with the essence of each art form – understanding not just the "how," but the "why" behind the transformative process of shaping nature. ...

Prompted by a neverending stream of letters pleading for advice on how to be a better writer, successful children’s authors Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter put their heads together to create this useful guide. With dozens of books and decades of experience between them, the authors brought their distinct personal styles to the advice they had to offer. Now they have done the same for this audio version, with each author narrating her own sections.

THE ONLY WRITING PROMPT GUIDE YOU’LL EVER NEED! You’re stuck on what to write so check out some writing prompts to spur your creativity. But they don’t help you out of your writing rut…sure, there are some neat ideas but none of them actually lead to a story. That’s because writing prompts all too often miss a key element: conflict. Conflict is the heart of every story, and without it you’re just writing a journal entry. Storystarters presents more than 200 writing prompts centered on exciting and interesting conflicts for your protagonist to solve. The prompts are divided among...

Unearth the joys of lush vegetable patches and vibrant plant life right in the comfort of your own urban dwelling with "Urban Harvest," a comprehensive guide that turns even the humblest of balconies into a verdant paradise. Seize the opportunity to engage in the transformative practice of container gardening—a gateway to sustainable living and a step toward creating your very own food source, nestled amidst the concrete jungle of city life. Unlock the secrets of maximizing limited space with ingenuity as "Urban Harvest" leads you through the intricacies of crafting a thriving garden that...

“I can’t write.” How often do we hear this every day from students at all different skill levels? What is it about writing that causes such self-doubt, disabling procrastination, and fear of failure? “So many students do not identify writing as a positive experience or identify themselves as writers,” Liz Prather says. “We rarely talk about the social-emotional resilience needed around the act of writing.” In The Confidence to Write, Liz argues that we can help students reset their writerly self-regard by naming and examining their writing identity through practical activities.

It was not easy being a woman of ambition in early 20th-century England, much less one who wished to be a scientist. Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin overcame prodigious obstacles to become a woman of many firsts: the first to receive a PhD in astronomy from Radcliffe College, the first promoted to full professor at Harvard, the first to head a department there. And, in what has been called "the most brilliant PhD thesis ever written in astronomy", she was the first to describe what stars are made of.

Following in the grand tradition of such Irish memoirs as Angela’s Ashes and Are You Somebody?, Liam Clancy relates his life’s story in a raucously funny and star-studded account of moving from provincial Ireland to the bars and clubs of New York City, to the cusp of fame as a member of Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers.

Discover the art and science of cultivating a flourishing herb haven in the smallest of spaces with "Vertical Gardening Mastery." This visionary guide unlocks the secrets to transforming your urban nook, balcony, or wall into a vibrant tapestry of aromatic herbs. Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or a budding gardener, this book is the perfect companion for anyone eager to delve into the world of vertical gardening. Embark on a journey through well-structured chapters that will guide you from embracing the essence of vertical herbs, exploring design principles, to building the very ...

With the signature wit and humor that has garnered him legions of fans, Gantos instructs young writers on using their "writing radar" to find story ideas in their own lives. Incorporating his own misadventures as a developing writer, Gantos inspires listeners to build confidence and establish good writing habits as they create and revise their stories. More than just a how-to guide, Writing Radar is a celebration of the power of storytelling and an ode to the characters who - many unwittingly - inspired Gantos' own writing career.

Everyone has a story, and helping people tell their stories has been Nancy Slonim Aronie’s life mission. Building on her acclaimed Memoir as Medicine, this new guide tackles the short personal essay. With warmth and humor, Nancy provides prompts, inspiration, and hard-won wisdom to empower you to write an unforgettable narrative. You’ll learn to begin with an irresistible hook (“kill ’em with the first line”) and employ compelling direct quotes, drama, vulnerability, universal themes, and self-reflection to get readers into your corner.

In his debut full length collection, Junious ‘Jay’ Ward dives deep into the formation of self. Composition interrogates the historical perceptions of Blackness and biracial identity as documented through a Southern Lens. Utilizing a variety of poetic forms, Ward showcases to his audiences an innovative approach as he unflinchingly explores the way language, generational trauma, loss, and resilience shape us into who we are, the stories we carry, and what we will inevitably pass on.

For 50 years, writers at every stage of their careers have turned to the literary nonprofit organization Poets & Writers and its award-winning magazine for resources to foster their professional development, from writing prompts and tips on technique to informative interviews with published authors, literary agents, and editors. But never before has Poets & Writers marshalled its 50 years’ worth of knowledge to create an authoritative guide for writers that answers every imaginable question about craft and career - until now.

This work is intended to create access to the wonders and benefits of nature to those who may have mobility issues, disabilities (including visual impairment), or who otherwise lack access to the healing power of nature due to financial hardship, racial, social, or fat-biased exclusion, or other circumstances.

Introducing "Exploring Calligraphy," the ultimate guide that takes you on a journey through the captivating world of calligraphy. This eBook is a must-have for beginners and seasoned enthusiasts alike who are looking to master the art of beautiful writing. With 31 clear and concise chapters, you'll learn about the history of calligraphy as well as the modern calligrapher's toolkit and understanding different calligraphy styles. Whether you're drawn to the elegant Italic style, the playful Brush Script, or the intricate Blackletter designs, this eBook has got you covered. Each chapter is ...

Discover a remarkable world where nature's delicate art merges with the legacy of generations in "Eternal Saplings." This transformative eBook unearths the profound connection between the ancient tradition of bonsai trees and the heartwarming notion of passing down these living treasures through your family lineage. Embark on a journey that begins with the Soul of Bonsai as Heirlooms, delving into the often-overlooked depth and timeless value they present beyond mere ornamentation. Explore the profound significance these miniature marvels hold as they grace family mantles and living spaces,...