Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine Summary

Writing Magic is a comprehensive writing guide where Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine shares practical techniques for crafting compelling stories. The book teaches writers how to generate story ideas, create memorable characters, write sparkling dialogue, develop strong beginnings and endings, and overcome writer's block. With humor and wisdom, Levine provides writing exercises designed to ignite imagination and help writers of all ages develop their craft.

Writing Magic is ideal for aspiring writers of all ages, from upper elementary and middle school students to adults seeking writing fundamentals. While geared toward young adults, the book serves as a perfect helper for anyone who has ever wanted to write a book, whether beginners learning the craft or experienced writers needing a refresher course in fiction basics. The accessible voice makes complex concepts approachable for younger readers without being condescending.

Writing Magic is highly worth reading for anyone serious about improving their storytelling craft. Reviewers praise its clarity, upbeat voice, and practical exercises that get creative juices flowing. Publishers Weekly compares it favorably to Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, noting Levine's passion for craft shines through every page. The book provides a veritable treasure trove of advice and guidance, with nothing else quite like it available for young writers.

Gail Carson Levine is a Newbery Honor author best known for her bestselling novel Ella Enchanted. As a fairy-tale master, she has written numerous acclaimed books including The Two Princesses of Bamarre, Fairest, and Dave at Night, an ALA Notable Book. Her proven success in children's literature and deep understanding of storytelling craft make her uniquely qualified to teach aspiring writers how to create stories that captivate readers.

Writing Magic teaches essential storytelling techniques including generating terrific story ideas, inventing compelling beginnings and endings, writing sparkling dialogue, and developing memorable characters. Levine covers the importance of details and how to choose effective ones, creating vivid settings, finding the right voice, and mastering the revision process. She also provides guidance on handling criticism constructively and overcoming creative blocks when feeling stuck.

Writing Magic is organized into five comprehensive sections covering the complete writing process. Section one, "Liftoff," includes chapters on getting started, generating ideas, and developing observation skills. Section two, "Heart and Guts," covers crucial elements like character development, dialogue, settings, voice, and endings. The remaining sections guide writers through revision, writing for themselves, and the path to getting published.

Writing Magic includes numerous writing exercises at the end of each chapter designed to set your imagination on fire. Each chapter explains concepts with examples, then provides specific exercises for readers to practice the techniques. For instance, the dialogue chapter asks readers to choose from four situations and write the conversation, always ending with Levine's encouraging reminder: "Have fun! Save what you wrote".

Writing Magic provides specific advice about what to do when feeling stuck during the creative process. Levine emphasizes the importance of saving everything you write, noting that even accomplished children's book writers cannot easily return to their child self without documentation. She teaches techniques for maintaining creative flow and offers exercises that help writers push through obstacles by engaging imagination in fresh ways.

Writing Magic stands out through its accessible, upbeat voice that never condescends to younger readers while remaining valuable for adults. Levine challenges conventional writing wisdom with pithy insights, such as explaining why "said" is a magical word that disappears, and demonstrating when to show versus tell. The book provides a lively, compact guide covering the entire writing sequence with clear examples—filling a unique gap in writing instruction for children.

Reviewers consistently praise Writing Magic for its clarity, passion, and practical approach. Harold Underdown calls it "a great introduction to writing for children" with nothing else like it available. The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books describes it as "a veritable treasure trove of advice and guidance". Publishers Weekly highlights the book's clarity and sparseness comparable to Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, noting Levine's infectious passion for craft.

Writing Magic shares similarities with Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird in its clarity, sparseness, and passion for the writing craft. However, Writing Magic specifically targets younger writers with age-appropriate examples and an upbeat, encouraging voice designed for upper elementary and middle school students. While Bird by Bird speaks primarily to adult writers with mature humor, Writing Magic makes sophisticated writing concepts accessible to children without condescension, filling a unique niche in writing instruction.

Writing Magic primarily focuses on fiction writing, teaching storytelling fundamentals like character development, dialogue, plot structure, and creating vivid settings. The book draws heavily on Levine's experience as a fairy-tale author and uses examples from children's literature like Patricia Reilly Giff's Lily's Crossing. However, many core techniques—generating ideas, observation skills, finding your voice, and revision strategies—apply broadly to various writing forms beyond fiction.