Welcome to a few writing tips from Jessica. Ideal for using with any age group, even adults as they find their desire to write.

Writing Tips:

Beginning-

I often find starting a story to be the best and most difficult part of writing. The key is to have a goal in mind, and by 'goal' I really mean purpose. Why are you writing this? What do you want your reader to experience when they read this? Do you want them to feel for the characters or be immersed in the world you have created? Good stories have both, of course, but one builds on the other and I have found great authors focus on one more than the other and allow things to grow from there.

When creating a storyline, always step back when you insert an important event or character. Ask yourself how it will impact the overall story and characters. Question how the reader will see it. If it concerns plot, wonder if the addition makes sense with the other events you have already written. If it is a character addition, layout their personality and moral beliefs so you will always have something to look back to if you are uncertain how they will respond to certain situations.

Lay things out! Whether it is the story's timeline, a character's development or personality. Outlines and lists help fight off writer's block and plot holes.

For chapters, I usually make a list of things I want to have happen with them. Short notes to myself like:

Have Nahgeyd wonder about what is happening in Klamion.

Zack burns himself in class -- again . . .

High Elder Kahn discusses strategy. Nahgeyd impresses him.

I also put reminders in as I go. It helps smooth my writing and prevents plot holes and contradictions, like:

NOTE -- Davar doesn't know a whole lot about sword fighting. He's new!

Try to avoid making dull notes to yourself. It makes you bored with your story and you lose writing 'umph', which quickly leads to writer's block.