Another Author in the Family

There's a budding author in the family: an eight-year-old who devotes part of a summer day to writing. In one morning she produced a story and a plan book.

Virginia's Awesome Plan Book for Girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Have fun in the sun!
• Rule the world with love!
• Do your chores with a heartbeat of love!
• When you go to camp have some appreciation for your counselor!
• When you wake up in the morning start the day with a happy smile!
• Be careful when you do things you are not sure you know how to do!
• Always try new things!
• Always try to do your best!
• If someone walks up to you and says hey your stupid just say I am proud of that!
• Don't taddle if someone takes your ball or your toy just say may I please have the toy I was playing with back!
• Only tell if someone or a dog or a cat or animal gets hurt and a grown up will come help you!
• If you see a car coming and you are with a parent or babysitter go with them don't go your own way!
• Have good respect for people that help you and take care of you!
• If a parent or someone older than you tells you not to do something than don't do it!
• And please always try to have fun especially in the sun!
• And please try to remember these rules! Well kind of rules!
• One more if you have a older sister or brother do not mess with them!

BY

VIRGINIA

I have taught writing for thirty years now, but even I have much to learn from Virginia, as do my students. Here are some guidelines suggested by her work:

1. Write because you want to.
2. Write for a real audience.
3. Write to affect that audience in an identified way.
4. Write based on your experience, and use your imagination, too.
5. Write clearly; word-processing is good.
6. Use your best language.
7. Use a specific genre for each piece.
8. Learn the conventions of that genre and practice them.
9. Share your work with others.
10. Have fun with your writing!