7 Writing Tips From a 7-Year-Old

Sometimes--no, often--Gracee amazes me with insightful words. Lately she has dispensed writing advice with wisdom beyond second grade. Who needs to attend a writers' conference when you have a live-in mentor?

Here are 7 of her tips.

1. Think of your story as a gift. Put lots of excitement in the box. Make it fun to read.

2.  Have a central idea. Put it on the back cover because that's what authors do.

3.  Add description (detail words).

• No:  I got my ears pierced.

• Yes: My mom took me to a little store called Claire's in the mall to get my ears pierced for my seventh birthday.

4.  Use dialogue (talking words).

• No:  I was nervous.

• Yes: "Mom," I said. "Hold my hand because I'm kind of nervous."

5.  Use lots of action (energy words)

• No:  I sat in the chair.

• Yes: I climbed up on a tall stool, kicked my legs back and forth and bit my lower lip.

6.  Use expression (feeling words).

• No:  It was over.

• Yes: I felt proud when it was over and smiled big when I saw my earrings in the mirror, even though one giant tear floated in my right eye.

7.  Use onomatopoeia (noise words). Yes, she said this!

• No: The gun was loud.

• Yes: Bang! Bang! The gun shot an earring into each ear, and I did not jump.

When you are done writing your story, wrap it up. Tie up all loose ends. Make the book cover pretty!


Copyright © 2009 by Sandra Heska King