Book excerpt: Writing skills are important. Not only can writing be used to convey a meaning, but it can also be a means of being creative. Here, readers will learn some of the skills they need to master creative writing. Activities and clear examples help encourage students to come up with their own ideas. Basic story elements are explained in detail, allowing readers to understand the functioning principals of narration, plot, characters, setting, and more. Full-color photos and exciting language make readers eager to try their own hand at writing. Fast facts and sidebars bring new insight into the task of writing, while the glossary reinforces new vocabulary. A Further Reading section inspires further research.