Writing with Rosie : you can write a story too

Title:

Author:

Summary:

In a humorous and entertaining guide, two-time Patricia Reilly Giff breaks down the process of writing fiction into steps, all while trying to cope with the constant distractions from her exuberant seventy-pound golden retriever puppy, Rosie. Citing examples from her award-winning novels she explains how to proceed with each step in chapter sections titled Can You See What I Did? Young writers can find the inspiration and tips they need to try their hand in sections called Your Turn. Anecdotes from her writing life and hilarious adventures with her high-energy pet provide entertainment and encouragement.

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

73 pages ; 24 cm

Personal Subject:

Giff, Patricia Reilly-Technique-Juvenile literature.

Subject Term:

Fiction -- Technique -- Juvenile literature.

Creative writing -- Juvenile literature.

Publisher:

Holiday House,

Publication Date:

2016

ISBN:

9780823436569

Publication Information:

New York : Holiday House, [2016]

Call Number:

J 808.3 GIFF

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003173302	Juvenile Nonfiction	808.3 GIFF	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

In a humorous and entertaining guide, two-time Newbery Honor-winning author Patricia Reilly Giff breaks down the process of writing fiction into steps, all while trying to cope with the constant distractions from her exuberant seventy-pound golden retriever puppy, Rosie. Citing examples from her award-winning novels she explains how to proceed with each step in chapter sections titled "Can You See What I Did?" Young writers can find the inspiration and tips they need to try their hand in sections called "Your Turn." Anecdotes from her writing life and hilarious adventures with her high-energy pet provide entertainment and encouragement.

Author Notes

Patricia Reilly Giff was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 26, 1935. She knew she wanted to be a writer, even as a little girl. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Marymount College, a Master's of Arts from St. John's University, and a Professional Diploma in Reading and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Hofstra University.

After she graduated from college, she taught in the public schools in New York City until 1960 and then in the public schools in Elmont, New York from 1964 until 1971. She then became a reading consultant before finally, at the age of 40, deciding to write a book. She also worked as an educational consultant for Dell Yearling and Young Yearling Books and as an advisor and instructor to aspiring writers. Her first book, Today Was a Terrible Day, was published in 1980. She is the author of more than 100 children's books, as well as a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers.

Together with her husband, Giff opened "The Dinosaur's Paw," a children's bookstore named after one of her own stories. She is the author of the Polk Street School books. Lily's Crossing, about the homefront during World War II, was named a Newberry Honor Book by the American Library Association as well as an ALA Notable Book for Children. The novel also won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor. Her companion book to Lily's Crossing, Genevieve's War, won a 2018 Christopher Award. Pictures of Hollis Woods was also named a Newberry Honor Book and Nory Ryan's Song was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults.

Patricia Reilly Giff died on June 22, 2021. She was 86.

(Bowker Author Biography)

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 3-5-A step-by-step guide for young aspiring writers of fiction, featuring Giff's golden retriever, Rosie. In this loving and personal guide, Giff walks students through her own writing process, beginning with character ideas and moving on to cover plot, setting, dialogue, and more. Chapters like "Can You See How I Did It?" and "Your Turn" accompany lessons and challenge readers to give it their own go. For instance, readers are encouraged to think of a problem for their character and contemplate how it might be resolved ("If the problem were yours, would it worry you? Would you have to do something about it?"). While doling out the writing tips, Giff also reflects on Rosie, using the dog's antics to give the read a lighter touch. ("A reader wants action.the action I'm involved in right now is searching for Rosie. That dog is trouble!") VERDICT Likely to be popular with Giff fans, a supplemental purchase for classroom libraries.-Megan Kilgallen, Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publisher's Weekly Review

Giff warmly documents the steps of her writing process, joined by her rambunctious dog, Rosie. Using excerpts from her own books, including Lily's Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods, to help bolster the ideas being introduced, Giff explains how stories begin by coming up with "a person or two" to focus on, finding a setting for that person, and giving him or her a problem to solve. In later chapters, Giff walks readers through creating action and dialogue, as well as juggling the components of story. When writer's block sets in, she offers clear and constructive advice: "Tell yourself it's usually one or two things that make the story stop: a person who doesn't seem real, or a problem that doesn't make your person worry enough." It's an encouraging and frank look at the basics of storytelling, described with compassion and insight. Ages 8-12. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.