OneBookTwoBook.com
I’ve discovered that most youngsters like to write poetry, especially when it doesn’t have to rhyme.  Poetry was difficult for me when I was in school, because it was considered that true poetry must rhyme.  I couldn’t write rhymes easily.
Nowadays, there are so many types of poetry young writers (and older ones, too) can experiment with.  Acrostic poetry is one type I often write with students when I visit schools to present workshops.
An acrostic poem is free verse.  In other words, it doesn’t have to rhyme.  The first letter of each line, as you read downward, forms a word. 
Try a PUMPKIN poem.  It …read more

OneBookTwoBook.com
Here’s a Story Starter:
Draw a large pumpkin.  You can color it or not.
Print or write words inside that come to mind about pumpkins. Write at least six.
(Words such as – pumpkin, orange, pie, carve)
Then write a story or poem using these words and other related ones.  This is an activity that writers of any age can try.  If youngsters are too small to write and spell, mom, dad, teachers or siblings can help them.
Have Fun!
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

OneBookTwoBook.com
I’ve wanted to write stories since I was a child.  I found a story I wrote when I was 11-years old.  Another I saved was written as a class assignment when I was in eighth grade.  My desire for writing evolved into stories for children, newspaper columns and hard news, travel pieces, and books for children and adults.
Along with this, I started teaching writing for children and adults and often visit schools where I conduct workshops.  For several years, I wrote an online column with writing lessons for young people.
I’ll begin a feature here at One Book Two Book with …read more

OneBookTwoBook.com
 Why don’t you write a story about some of your beach adventures? At least keep a journal and write down the memories. I found an old diary I kept when I was a teenager.
In glancing through the summer entries, I see many referring to swimming in our brook, as well as at the Recreation Center pond, a community gathering place about five miles away from our home.  Names of friends are there, too, and help remind me of summer beach fun.
Keep a record (mom or youngsters or both) of your summer days, and the fun you have at your beach, …read more