Juicy Writing: Inspiration and Techniques for Young Writers
The New Zealand writer offers beginners a sometimes nontraditional introduction to writing. Promising “inspiration and techniques,” she devotes the larger part of her attention to the former, not getting around to “Writing Essentials” —character, plot, form, setting, and such—until part four of her five-part book. The first three chapters are devoted to such matters as the seeds of inspiration, creative spaces, getting to know yourself (“If you were an object of clothing what would you be?”), and developing your senses. Some of this actually seems helpful in freeing young writers from preconceived notions and anxiety-induced stiffness. Some of it, however, seems designed only to test the reader’s patience. To be fair, Lowry does offer some spot-on observations about the field today, plus practical advice that confirms her familiarity with her subject and helpful quotations from other writers (that confirm theirs). Alas, however, she never does explain what she means by “juicy writing.” Grades 7-12. --Michael Cart