• By Jacquelyn White
  • Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Writing Wednesday Tips for Teens - Week 1

The first step of writing a great novel is coming up with an idea. This week Frank Morelli walks us through his process of coming up with story ideas.


Generating Ideas with Frank Morelli

In the video Frank talks about finding inspiration from the world around you, so this week I challenge you to take some time this week and observe. Write down what you see, hear and feel and see what you find.


Looking for more help? Try this book:

Story Sparks by Denise Jaden


Anyone who has been hamster-wheeling a story idea for years or has hundreds of pages exploring various approaches on their hard drive knows that there must be a better way. There is. Young adult novelist Denise Jaden shows exactly how to create the captivating stories that prevent dispiriting wasted time.

Busting the "visitation from the muses" myth, she shows that inspiration is a skill writers can learn by understanding how story ideas work (or don't), fertilizing the ground for fresh and sound ideas, and moving swiftly through stuck points.

Practical and inspiring, Jaden's approach celebrates the imaginative sparks that make innovations of all kinds possible while pinpointing the precise tools writers need to fan their unique creative flames.


This Month



Frank Morelli is the author of the young adult novel, No Sad Songs (2018), a 2019 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers nominee, a VOX top Hopepunk title, and winner of a 2019 American Fiction Award for best coming-of-age story.

The first book in his debut middle grade series, Please Return To: Norbert M. Finkelstein, was released in September 2019 and was named a Book Excellence Award finalist. The second installment in the ‘Please Return To’ series, Please Return To: Toby Solanois now available wherever books are sold.

Morelli’s fiction and essays have also been featured in The Saturday Evening Post, Cobalt Review, Philadelphia Stories, and Highlights Magazine.

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