Writers know that writing is play, but it’s also hard work, like being a musician or athlete. Writers might show up late for dinner because they couldn't put their pens down.

Writers read, too. Writers notice choices made by authors. They know that reading is input and writing is output. And there are so many books out there that we don’t waste time finishing the bad ones, whether we’re reading or writing.

Writers need support. I can give you little nudges. Grab your notebook! (Okay, that was more than a little nudge.) We’re going to play with words and ideas. Starting the first page can be overwhelming– let’s just skip that one for now!

Write "Ideas" on the top of page two. You might want to save more than one page, because that's where you'll store the topics you want to write about. Write the date and "I'm a writer" at the top of the page where you’ll make your first entry.

Writers dig through a lot of rock to find the gems. Give yourself permission to explore, take risks and make mistakes. Shut off your "I can't" switch and write anything. Don’t stop! Let your mind wander and put it in words. Decide how long you’ll write – 5, 10, 15 minutes. Keep your pen or pencil moving until your time is up, your page is filled, or you feel like it’s time to stop. You’re in control.

If you need more of a nudge, try the writing ideas below. New ones will appear, so stop back frequently.

Collect the whole set!
Click to go to the Try This! Archive.

Resources for Young Writers
There are many books in my library that have helped me along the way, including the following:

Atwell, Nancie. In the Middle: New Understanding About Writing, Reading, and Learning. Boynton/Cook, 1998. This is the must-have book for teachers of the middle grades.

Bauer, Marion Dane. What's Your Story? A Young Person's Guide to Writing Fiction. Clarion Books, New York, 1992. This book is used widely by children, adults, colleges, and professional writers.

Brown, Renni & Dave King. Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself into Print. This is my favorite book on revision. It’s all in here!

Calkins, Lucy. The Art of Teaching Writing. Heinemann, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 1994. I regular use Calkins' teaching ideas in my classes.

Fletcher, Ralph, and Joann Portalupi. Craft Lessons: Teaching Writing K-8. Stenhouse Pub, 1998. Ralph and Joann's books give a comprehensive overview for those who want a little more direction without eliminating student choice in their teaching of writing.

Fletcher, Ralph, and Joann Portalupi. Nonfiction Craft Lessons: Teaching Information Writing K-8. Stenhouse Pub, 2001

Hansen, Jane. When Writers Read. Heinemann, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 2001. The connections between reading and writing are explored in this book, with helpful assistance for the teaching of both.

Henderson, Kathy. The Young Writer's Guide to Getting Published. Writer's Digest Books, F&W Publications, Cincinnati, 2001. My middle-grade and high-school students regularly turn to this guide.

Janeczko, Paul B. How to Write Poetry. Scholastic, New York, 2001. Janeczko's many books on teaching poetry will make the process painless for children and their teachers.

Koch, Kenneth. Wishes, Lies, and Dreams: Teaching Children to Write Poetry. Perennial Press, 2000. Koch has several books out on teaching children to write poetry. I have them all and use them often.

Lane, Barry and Gretchen Bernabei. Why We Must Run With Scissors: Voice Lesson in Persuasive Writing. Discover Writing Company, 2001

Lane, Barry. The Reviser's Toolbox. Discover Writing Company, 1999

Livingston, Myra Cohn. Poem Making: Ways to Begin Writing Poetry. HarperCollins, New York, 1991.

Spandel, Vickie. Creating Young Writers. Pearson Allyn & Bacon, 2003. Spandel is well-known among educators and has several titles with smaller presses.