Stories are one of the core elements of the lesson plans on this site. Some of our collaborators have asked that we provide some guidelines for the stories they are contributing.

This section of the web site features articles and tips about writing stories from noted children's authors. Please let us know if you come across other articles, such as these, that you think may be of interest to other visitors to this site.

Good writers often break rules—but they know they’re doing it! Here are some good rules to know ...

How often have I been asked that question! It seems people think a writer is a person who walks around, or sits around, waiting until an idea strikes. Pow! The idea hits, floods through the brain and out the fingertips onto the computer keys and a story is born. Just like that. Those of you who have struggled to write know better ...

Are you inspired or motivated by a famous or historical person? Do you want to introduce a child to a historical hero and role model? Do you pull your hair and run away screaming when you think about doing the massive research necessary to write a biography? If you feel daunted and intimidated by writing a full-length biography, take heart ...

The first few lines of any story are the most important - and often most difficult - words you'll write. The next most challenging piece of writing is the ending. Once you draw your readers in and take them through your story, you need to leave them with a satisfying conclusion. Here, then, are some tips for writing powerful endings...

The children's story I was asked to critique began with description, continued with description, contained some dialogue here and there, and ended with description. The author seemed to think that simply telling the story was adequate and didn't realize that stories without dialogue are borrrrring ...

You're off to a great start, everything is going along fine, but suddenly the words stop coming. You know where you want to go, but how are you going to get there? What do you write next? You've ground to a halt. You're out of ideas. You're stuck! ...