At a glance
Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly
Children's fiction
Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly
168 pages · First published 2006
Gail Carson Levine invites young writers to treat storytelling as a skill that can be practiced, experimented with, and enjoyed rather than a mysterious talent possessed by only a few people. Drawing on her experience writing children’s fantasy, she discusses characters, dialogue, beginnings, endings, description, revision, and ways to move through writer’s block. Exercises and examples encourage readers to create their own material instead of merely reading rules about craft. Written especially with younger writers in mind but useful beyond that audience, this nonfiction guide makes fiction writing feel playful, concrete, and learnable.
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Jump to the pours ↓Molasses Cinnamon Cocoa + Family Secret Sour
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No surprises at chapter twelve
Content notes
Discussion of fictional conflict, danger, death, and other difficult subjects as writing examples; no narrative sexual content or sustained peril.
Alcohol-Free Pour
Molasses Cinnamon Cocoa
Velvety chocolate suits a little enchantment and an escape from the everyday.
What you'll need
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.How to mix it
- Whisk the cocoa and sweetener into the hot liquid until smooth. Add remaining flavorings, heat until steaming, and pour into a mug. Add any listed topping.
- Garnish: As listed.
- Glassware: Mug.
Cocktail Pour · 21+
Family Secret Sour
For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
A warming pour with a sharp edge suits a little enchantment and an escape from the everyday.
What you'll need
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice ↗
- 3/4 oz simple syrup ↗
- 1/2 oz pasteurized egg white or aquafaba (optional) ↗
- Ice
Alcohol-shopping links are not shown on children's or young-adult book pages.
How to mix it
- If using egg white, dry-shake first. Add ice and shake again, then strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish: Lemon peel.
- Glassware: Rocks glass.
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