What's Your Story?

March 30, 1992
Bauer offers a pragmatic, organized approach to story writing in this 118-page manual geared for older children and young adults. Concrete, step-by-step tips are effectively illustrated with examples taken from the author's own works-- Face to Face , A Dream of Queens and Castles , Rain of Fire . Eight of the 14 chapters deal with preparatory rituals--finding a special time and place to write, inventing a conflict, understanding what makes a main character tick, figuring out a plot, choosing a point of view--and later chapters address more technical issues of pacing, rhythm and balance. Although the importance of discipline is stressed (learning to write a story is often compared to learning to play a sport or a musical instrument), the exercises and thought processes introduced as groundwork come across as stimulating rather than tedious and may serve to hone analytical skills as well as inspire even the most reluctant writers to try their hand. Ages 10-up.

Starred review from June 1, 1992
Gr 5-9- -Newbery Honor medalist Bauer provides mentoring and practical and technical advice in this handy how-to book. By systematically exploring the components of fiction-plot, character, point of view, dialogue, beginnings and endings, and story tension, she shows how a story works and how to create one. Each chapter builds upon the previous one, reiterating essential points and putting them in understandable context. The clear and logical tone and evident respect for her audience speak to Bauer's sensitivity and empathy with those grappling with the creative process. As a result, this honest guide will be as useful to teachers as to young writers. For an audience midway between Carol Lea Benjamin's Writing for Kids (Crowell, 1985) and Stephen Policoff and Jeffrey Skinner's excellent Real Toads in Imaginary Gardens (Chicago Review Pr., 1991), this is a splendid choice for school, public, and home libraries. -Susan H. Patron, Los Angeles Public Library

April 15, 1992
Gr. 5-10. Bauer's writing guide for kids avoids the usual extremes: she neither focuses rigidly on grammar exercises and minutiae of style nor floats away with sentiments about trusting your dreams. A fine fiction writer herself, winner of a Newbery Honor award, she's candid about the excitement and hard work that comes with learning to tell a good story. Without condescension but with a wealth of brief, witty, personal examples, she covers the basics of planning, writing, and revision. The practical details are here (keeping a journal, working with an editor, etc.) and also suggestions for inventing characters, building conflict, handling point of view and dialogue, moving beyond your own experience ("The secret is to find that place within yourself where feelings are strong and then to ask, What if. . . ?"). Occasionally she's a bit dogmatic about getting a "good balance" and structuring a plot. One wishes there was more acknowledgment of the mystery of the creative process. But that part of it can't be taught, and Bauer's small, attractively designed guide focuses on some things you can learn and practice. Her own clear style is the best show-and-tell for building "a world with words." ((Reviewed Apr. 15, 1992))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1992, American Library Association.)