How to Write a Story

Help your child explore their creativity with this ten-step guide to writing a story.

Step 1: Choose an idea for your story. A good one.

Step 2: Decide on a setting. Don’t be afraid to mix things up.

Step 3: Create a heroine—or a hero.

Now: Begin.

Accomplished storytellers Kate Messner and Mark Siegel playfully chronicle the process of becoming a writer in this fun follow-up to How to Read a Story, guiding young storytellers through the joys and challenges of the writing process. From choosing an idea, to creating a problem for their character to resolve, to coming to The End, this empowering picture book breaks down the writing process in a dynamic and accessible way, encouraging kids to explore their own creativity—and share their stories with others!

Praise for How to Write a Story

“That muse of fire isn’t going to ascend all by herself, so Messner and Siegel, in their follow-up to How to Read a Story, walk readers through 10 steps of literary creation, starting with ‘search for an idea’ and ending with ‘share your story’. . . . Readers new to writing should find this accessible volume a smart choice to get the creative writing juices flowing.” —Publishers Weekly
“A lovely encouragement to young writers to persist.” —Kirkus Reviews