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“Who’s Sai Magnen?”

“Doesn’t sound too good to me.”

“Fury of the Venom Legion Page Seven has been published. Visit every Thursday for a new color page.”

“Now I’m sad for her because she looks like she’s really sick or something.”

“I wish we knew who she was.”

“Page Six is up. Visit every Thursday for a new color page.”

“Konnichi-wa, minna-san! We gots a Varcarel Jade update today ’cause it’s Monday and that’s when we do one of our comic updates. We gots another comic that’s called Fury of the Venom Legion but that one is updated on Thursday. Did you know that there’s a site called The Web Comic List that tells aaaaaaaall about our comics? You can even vote for us and they gave us a number button too!”

“That’s our ranking out of almost 11,000 comics.”

“Yay for us! If you read comics on The Web Comic List be sure to add our comics to your favorites and visit us every week for new pages! Ja!”

“Okay, now I’m starting to wonder who he is.”

“What does exsamency mean?”

“‘Excellency,’ Cici. It’s a way of addressing nobility.”

“She’s a noble?”

“Page three is up. Fury of the Venom Legion updates every Thursday with a brand new color page.”

“Here is a preview of page three of Fury of the Venom Legion our all-new color LadyStar web comic. Fury of the Venom Legion updates every Thursday.”

“This is a preview of page 18 of The Varcarel Jade the free LadyStar web manga. The Varcarel Jade updates every Monday with a new page.”

by Stephenie Hovland

Many young writers get excited about seeing their words in print. It’s natural. You did all the hard work (which was actually kind of fun!) and then saw it printed. Not only did you like it, but others did, too. So, what’s the next step to writing something other than an assignment?

First, you need to make sure you keep reading. Take time every day, if possible, to read books. Read about writing, like these two books by Marion Dane Bauer: Our Stories: a Fiction Workshop for Young Authors, and What’s Your Story? A Young Person’s Guide to Writing Fiction. Dive into many other books as well. You definitely should read books that are similar to what you like to write, but don’t stop there. You will see how different kinds of books fill your brain with new story ideas and writing techniques.

Second, see if you can find other kids who like to write, too. Maybe a teacher will help you organize a writing group. The idea behind this is that you will all write what you want, on your own time, not for an assignment. Then, bring your writing to the group meeting (once or twice a month.) Pass the writing around, giving everyone about five to ten minutes to read each person’s manuscript. Make notes on it, helping out with spelling, description, plot, etc. Be careful that you aren’t too harsh. Make suggestions, but don’t ever tell someone else their writing is bad. Share what you like and what needs a little help.

Third, check out some writing websites for kids. HarperTeen contains a cool site for teen writers. Smartwriters.com has a section devoted to young writers. The Write Source is from a textbook publisher, but is a great resource if you dig through the site. If you search Scholastic.com for a section called “Write It,” you will find ways to improve your writing, chat with other young writers, and even get published. Search for sites that don’t make you pay to get published. Be careful. There are many scams that will accept anything you write, then make you pay for a big book full of many writers’ work. Here’s the catch: They make you feel special, saying you’ve been chosen from among many people for a special edition of the book. The truth is that they will take any writing, good or bad, and they tell everyone the same thing. That doesn’t make you feel very special, does it?

If you do these three things, you will see your writing abilities get better and better. Of course, you have to write (a lot!) to see your writing improve. So, don’t forget to keep reading, writing, and sharing your writing with others.

Visit Stephenie’s website for more ideas for kids.