In Short
A Writer's Notebook: Unlocking the Writer Within You by Ralph Fletcher teaches young, aspiring writers how a writer's notebook can spur their writing. It was published in 1996 and has 136 pages.
Summary
Fletcher's writing is clear and concise. Each chapter focuses on a different way to use a writer's notebook. Ideas for notebook content include stories, snatches of overheard conversations, wonderings, favorite words, memories, interesting facts, sketches, and thoughts on the writing process. Fletcher's personal examples make it feel like you're getting advice from an old friend, and his student examples demonstrate different directions that each idea can take. He also includes four chapters with other successful authors (including Paul Fleischman and Naomi Shihab Nye) discussing their use of writer's notebooks.
My Take
This was probably written for very young teens (maybe older elementary students), but I think it's a book that I'll go back to over and over again for simple writing notebook ideas and motivation. I've been keeping a journal and a writer's notebook for years now, but I feel excited to try some of these new ideas. If you aren't at all interested in writing, this book might not be a good reading choice. Then again, maybe it's just what you need to get you excited about writing.
A Writer's Notebook: Unlocking the Writer Within You by Ralph Fletcher teaches young, aspiring writers how a writer's notebook can spur their writing. It was published in 1996 and has 136 pages.
Summary
Fletcher's writing is clear and concise. Each chapter focuses on a different way to use a writer's notebook. Ideas for notebook content include stories, snatches of overheard conversations, wonderings, favorite words, memories, interesting facts, sketches, and thoughts on the writing process. Fletcher's personal examples make it feel like you're getting advice from an old friend, and his student examples demonstrate different directions that each idea can take. He also includes four chapters with other successful authors (including Paul Fleischman and Naomi Shihab Nye) discussing their use of writer's notebooks.
My Take
This was probably written for very young teens (maybe older elementary students), but I think it's a book that I'll go back to over and over again for simple writing notebook ideas and motivation. I've been keeping a journal and a writer's notebook for years now, but I feel excited to try some of these new ideas. If you aren't at all interested in writing, this book might not be a good reading choice. Then again, maybe it's just what you need to get you excited about writing.
