Jack Gantos shares his advice on how to be the best, brilliant writer in this funny and practical writing guide for children ages 10 and up.

Before writing, there was storytelling -- Trust me -- Getting started -- The best journal in the world is yours -- Turning on and fine-tuning your writing radar -- Story hunting and gathering -- The writing journal in action -- "I'll kill you," said my sister -- The oath -- Blank slate -- Story maps -- Action and emotion -- Power! -- Good habits lead to great inspiration -- Story structure and story elements -- Putting my oath to the test -- The follower -- Breaking it down -- My frirst reader teaches me a lesson -- Focused drafts -- A parting surprise -- A parting word -- Writing connections.