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The Making of a Writer
Joan Lowery Nixon is the acclaimed author of more than a hundred books for young readers. Over the years, many of her readers have written to her to ask how they, too, can become published writers someday. From her first publication at age ten to her graduation from Hollywood High during World War II, this memoir, which includes advice as well as anecdotes, is her answer. Listening to her favorite programs on the radio, performing puppet shows at orphanages and hospitals, and writing love poems for high school classmates to send to soldiers overseas all planted the seeds from which a prolific writing career grew. Joan Lowery Nixon never forgot what her ninth-grade journalism teacher told “A writer must always have faith in herself. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.” Both informative and entertaining, The Making of a Writer is a charming look at one writer’s beginnings. “Nixon tucks her tips into a memoir that stands alone…A delightful look back at a time and a life.” –Booklist “Her writing is clear and interesting, admirably blending her personal history, that of the nation, life lessons, and writing tips…[readers] will appreciate the insights she offers into her own life as well as the development of her signature style.” –VOYA “A lively read…[with] clear and concise advice to writers.” –School Library Journal “A lighthearted biography…It is a nicely focused take on something about the author.” –Kirkus Reviews
87 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
6 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Joan Lowery Nixon
190 books485 followersAuthor of more than one hundred books, Joan Lowery Nixon is the only writer to have won four Edgar Allan Poe Awards for Juvenile Mysteries (and been nominated several other times) from the Mystery Writers of America. Creating contemporary teenage characters who have both a personal problem and a mystery to solve, Nixon captured the attention of legions of teenage readers since the publication of her first YA novel more than twenty years ago. In addition to mystery/suspense novels, she wrote nonfiction and fiction for children and middle graders, as well as several short stories. Nixon was the first person to write novels for teens about the orphan trains of the nineteenth century. She followed those with historical novels about Ellis Island and, more recently for younger readers, Colonial Williamsburg. Joan Lowery Nixon died on June 28, 2003—a great loss for all of us.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 10, 2011
The Making of a Writer is about Joan Lowery Nixon's childhood and teenage years and what influenced her to become a writer.
Joan lived with both her parents and grandparents in the same home. From an early age she loved to read, as did other members of her family, and she fondly remembers grabbing pictures books, going to her grandfather and climbing into his lap so they could read them together.
She loved listening to the stories her parents and grandparents told.
When Joan was a child there was no television. There were books and the radio. She loved listening to the radio shows. One of her favorites was The Lone Ranger and later she found I Love A Mystery which is what sparked her own interest in writing mysteries.
At age 10 she had one of her poems published by a children's magazine and she was so excited to see her poem, and name, in print. It was then she knew she would be a writer.
Joan had a happy childhood living with her parents, siblings and grandparents. She found ways to entertain herself and others. She put on plays and soon her whole family joined in.
It was many events through out her childhood and teenage years that influenced and helped to develop Joan as a writer. Through things, like putting on plays when she was young, learned that you had to use the right dialogue to grab the audience and keep them interested.
Joan went to college for journalism and eventually sold her first article to a magazine. It then she knew she had made it. She was a published writer!
Mrs. Nixon tells the story of her life and path to becoming a writer in great detail and confidence. The way she writes of her memories of her family and events early in her life is incredible.
The Making of a Writer is a good read for anyone who writes. It gives you advice about writing, but not how to write a book or a mystery. If that is what you're looking for than this is the wrong book for you.
There are books that tell you how to write or how you should write, but that doesn't mean they are actually very helpful.
And then there are books like this that are inspiring, encouraging and insightful. Writing is not something that someone can tell you how to do. It is a self-taught craft and it is up to you to find your style, your own voice in writing.
But I think Joan does a good job of giving advice about writing and encouraging those that want to write.
I personally love this book. It was a positive and inspiring read. I took a lot from it and what I learned will be very helpful in my own writing. I recommend this to anyone that likes to write.
Joan lived with both her parents and grandparents in the same home. From an early age she loved to read, as did other members of her family, and she fondly remembers grabbing pictures books, going to her grandfather and climbing into his lap so they could read them together.
She loved listening to the stories her parents and grandparents told.
When Joan was a child there was no television. There were books and the radio. She loved listening to the radio shows. One of her favorites was The Lone Ranger and later she found I Love A Mystery which is what sparked her own interest in writing mysteries.
At age 10 she had one of her poems published by a children's magazine and she was so excited to see her poem, and name, in print. It was then she knew she would be a writer.
Joan had a happy childhood living with her parents, siblings and grandparents. She found ways to entertain herself and others. She put on plays and soon her whole family joined in.
It was many events through out her childhood and teenage years that influenced and helped to develop Joan as a writer. Through things, like putting on plays when she was young, learned that you had to use the right dialogue to grab the audience and keep them interested.
Joan went to college for journalism and eventually sold her first article to a magazine. It then she knew she had made it. She was a published writer!
Mrs. Nixon tells the story of her life and path to becoming a writer in great detail and confidence. The way she writes of her memories of her family and events early in her life is incredible.
The Making of a Writer is a good read for anyone who writes. It gives you advice about writing, but not how to write a book or a mystery. If that is what you're looking for than this is the wrong book for you.
There are books that tell you how to write or how you should write, but that doesn't mean they are actually very helpful.
And then there are books like this that are inspiring, encouraging and insightful. Writing is not something that someone can tell you how to do. It is a self-taught craft and it is up to you to find your style, your own voice in writing.
But I think Joan does a good job of giving advice about writing and encouraging those that want to write.
I personally love this book. It was a positive and inspiring read. I took a lot from it and what I learned will be very helpful in my own writing. I recommend this to anyone that likes to write.
April 6, 2018
A good basic book for future authors. It offers personal background on the author, as well as useful writing tips.
July 24, 2019
It was so nice to find a book that is like talking to you, this type of books that not much really knows is a really must reads for aspiring writers.
May 11, 2020
“Take the risk of rejection.”
February 16, 2021
This is a good book for young writers to know who Joan Nixon was a a writer and how writing shaped her life.,
August 20, 2016
Great Book. Read it as a possible selection for MVES. Joan Lowery Nixon is a prolific children's author. Pleasantly, she wrote about her childhood. Each chapter centers around a specific chronological story and how that relates to a key trait of writing. Above all, it engages and promotes, children to follow their dreams and to do all they can do to accomplish them.
November 1, 2016
I read The Making Of A Writer for school and i wasn't expecting to enjoy it, but it was interesting and it held my attention. It's a quick read. I probably won't keep it or read it again just because i'm more interested in reading than writing.
January 7, 2010
Not applicable to my purpose, which is learning how to write a mystery.
December 22, 2010
I read this 2 times for school
May 24, 2012
Kids book
November 18, 2013
I would actually put this at 2 & 1/2 stars-- squarely middling. This is a smooth easy read, but this type of book and subject matter has been done by other writers & much more effectively.
September 3, 2014
Quick Read, but a good one. Nice photos, and amazing story. From one girl's nothingness to an amazing writer! Great Job Mrs. Nixon!
February 5, 2016
A really lovely, short book about how Joan Lowery Nixon became a writer. The book is written aimed at teens or children, but it is a delightful read that any age can relate to. Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews