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Susan K. Marlow, fiction author of the Circle C Series with Andrea Carter is the newest author to Media Angels.

She has written a wonderful workbook to teach children to write fiction. This 144-page workbook for budding young authors includes sections on creating characters, how to "show-don't tell" their feelings, beginnings that "hook" the reader, creating scenes, plotting stories and much more! Students can work at their own pace and on their own. Reach for the Stars also works great in home school co-ops and in classrooms. Includes a parent/teacher guide with hints for expanding the lessons if desired. Grades 3-8. Reach for the Stars!

“The Reach for the Stars writing workbook is wonderful! The [book] will take your child on an adventure, starting with the basics and ending with a written story. . . More importantly, I have seen my daughter develop a real love for writing.”
~Heidi Strawser, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC

Mrs. Marlow has created a wonderful tool to help budding writers flex their literary muscles . . .
~Pip, homeschooling teen

My nine-year-old's attitude changed 180 degrees after taking Susan Marlow's writing course. He now proudly states he is a great writer . . .
~Tania P., homeschooling mom

This is truly the best I have seen on teaching a child how to write a short story. It is laid out so nicely, easy to understand, and at a level children can find both interesting and easy to follow . .
. ~Gail Geese, Valley Christian School

When I started the Reach for the Star writing workbook, I thought it was just something my mom wanted me to do . . . But after I started, I realized I had a lot of great ideas, and the writing workbook really brought them out of me . . . It got me hooked on writing, and now I can't stop!
~Anika B., homeschooling teen

Susan has a BA degree in elementary education and 20 years teaching experience in private, public, and homeschooling fields. In addition to writing her Circle C Adventure series for kids, she speaks at Young Author conferences, teaches writing workshops for kids, and serves as a freelance editor. She and her family make their home in Washington State.

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Available in e-book

or

Co-Op e-book

Created by Susan this great little video gives you a preview of how really great this book is! Coming Soon!

Hosted by Susan K. Marlow

Welcome to the Reach for the Stars On-line Writing Workshop

Course length: 10 weeks

Cost: $100 ($75 for each additional student in the same family)

Ages: 10 and up

Dates: Flexible; students may begin the course anytime between Sept. 1-April 1

Reach for the Stars is a 10-week writing course for students who want to learn how to take their ideas and turn them into well-crafted stories readers can't put down.

Highlights of the course:

* Weekly lessons are e-mailed on Monday, due on Friday. Lessons include homework assignments from the writing workbook, Reach for the Stars (E-book included with the course).

* Each student receives personal feedback for every assignment they turn in.

* Students may also submit up to five double-spaced pages of their story for a critique.

* To see the complete syllabus (course outline), click here: SYLLABUS

* Upon completion of the course, students receive a Certificate of Completion for their portfolios. Sample Certificate

 To sign up go to:

http://www.susankmarlow.com/Workshop.html

Two ways to register for the workshop:

1. PayPal is quick and easy and accepts most credit cards
2. A check or money order. Print out and complete the registration form from the link below.

Registration Form

Appeared in "The Cypress Times"

by Gail D. Welborn

"Susan Marlow, trained elementary educator, and "twenty-year homeschooling veteran of four," is best known for the Circle C Adventures series for kids that features horses, the West, and the outrageous, fun-loving antics of twelve-year-old Andrea Carter.

Less well known are Marlow's endeavors to mentor young writers. Young Author's Conference (YAC), held at Skagit Valley College each spring, invited Marlow to teach children's fiction writing in 2006, 2007 and 2008, because of her imaginative teaching and writing skills that motivate children to write with minimal adult supervision.

Using those same skills she created a self-contained how-to writing workbook for children titled, Reach for the Stars. Within its pages, children are taught, step-by-step, how to craft a fiction story. Each chapter coordinates fun-filled writing activities with tested techniques and exercises. Students learn there is more to a story than a good idea. The book is so well thought out, the examples so easy-to-understand, the cartoon illustrations so detailed, it's almost like a child has their own personal tutor.

For example, when Marlow writes about "show-don't tell feelings," she caricaturizes a youngster acting out anger, with clenched fists, yelling and stomping. Then she explains what feelings look like and shows how to use descriptive words to describe feelings instead of writing a single word, such as anger.

The workbook begins with a note to parents before she describes five elements of a good fiction story. Then she focuses on fiction-writing techniques, character development, settings and descriptions, story beginnings, dialogue, plotting, point-of-view, and story endings. Blank story pages to fill out are included.

Inset "Writer's Hints" offer examples and additional writing tips. I particularly liked the cut-outs for "feelings cards," and the charts showing characters feelings, with descriptive words for character traits.

This well-designed, well-illustrated workbook encourages creative writing skills and can be used in three ways. Parents can guide younger students with suggested writing activities found in the "Especially for Teachers and Parents," section. Or older students can use the book on their own with the detailed "kid-friendly" instructions. Or the workbook works well in teacher-classroom settings.

In addition to the workbook, Marlow offers “black line masters” for teachers in a bundle for reproduction. She is also available for children’s writing workshops. Contact her via email SusanKMarlow@mediaangels.com