Over 300 offbeat, original writing exercises that develop creative thinking, valuable insights into the writing process and a close encounter with Nardo, the "snake within," out to discourage everyone's productivity. Write Outside the Lines is the perfect hands-on, holistic workbook to let writers of all ages catapult their creativity and discover their best ideas! Many writing books present classic guidelines without providing ample exercises, or give scores of "prompts" with little technical guidance. Rarely do they examine lack of confidence or writer's block. Write Outside the Lines leads readers through every phase of the writing experience, with humor and understanding. It's an essential, creative guide students will refer to for years.Parents and Educators on WOTL: "What happens when you put Robin Hood in the sewer with a band of merry microbes? Or start a story on the inside of an eyeball? You discover the wonderful, outlaw joy of writing a story that no one else has dared try before. In "Write Outside the Lines," Cathy Altman Nocquet shows aspiring writers of any age how to have more fun -- and be more productive -- than they ever thought possible. For anyone who has laughed at a Neil Gaiman story, shivered at the plot twists of J.K. Rowling or gasped at one of Michael Chabon's concoctions -- and then wondered: 'Why can't we teach anything like that in school?' -- the answer is: 'Now we can.' WOTL is the most ingenious, subversive, life-affirming textbook that I've ever encountered. It's a book that will inspire a new generation of great writers, and help even the most apprehensive students discover that, yes, writing can be wonderful."-- George Anders, New York Times best-selling author and co-recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for national reporting, 1997"A witty book composed of outrageous, succinct thought experiments.... Making a central character of that inner voice that prevents us from following our dreams is a brilliant about face."---Margaret Olin, PhD, Senior Research Scholar Yale University"As modern learning and brain science show, it takes a village to raise a creative child and Cathy shows how to create this village one story at a time." ---Charles Vanover, PhD, Professor of Education, USF"A warm, engaging and original book that leaves children more confident about not only their ability to write, but to think. With WOTL, we've witnessed the launch of a counter-culture Creativity Camp, with the mission of challenging and developing each child's unique talent. I loved the infectiously funny, subversive voice and the rollicking rhythm of the whole thing!"-- Denise Young, Journalist, Paris "With this inspiring and instructive book that captures the essence of her creativity workshops, Cathy Altman Nocquet frees readers of all ages to write with confidence and courage." -- Sheila Kohler, O'Henry Prize winning author and Lecturer, Princeton Univeristy, NJ"I have rarely seen a teacher as inspiring as Cathy Altman Nocquet in her creative writing workshops. With humor, wit and depth of understanding, she opens her students' minds to the endless possibilities of their own imaginations, giving them the skills and direction to put this into words. Her book joyfully guides each student to find his or her own voice."---Amy Gamlen, Teacher, Musician and Composer, Paris Jazz Underground"Most books that teach writing lead the neophyte to shut down instead of open up. WOTL shows us the only way to find your "voice" as a writer: by taking ownership of that thing you've been hiding inside all these years, stripping it naked and letting it howl at the moon"--- Ernie the Writing Gur
About the Author: Cathy Altman Nocquet made a career of creative thinking while working in international advertising as a writer and strategist. Her workshops feature offbeat exercises designed to develop creative thinking at all ages. She has taught creative writing students from dozens of schools, led workshops at libraries and for the English Language Schools Association as well as other non-profit educational groups. Ms Altman Nocquet is a SCBWI writing contest judge, and a graduate of Columbia University. Her work has been shortlisted and nominated for Editorial Prizes in national and international writing competitions.