Writing Help > Expert Tips > PLANNING YOUR WRITING
- Where do you get your ideas for stories?
- How do you plan and organize a story?
- Is it difficult to write under a deadline?
- What resources do you use to support your writing?
- How do you make sure that the information in your stories is correct?
- How do you complete your writing assignments on time?
Question:Where do you get your ideas for stories? | |
 | I get my ideas for stores from a wide variety of places. I always check the news and the newspapers first. Sometimes, I check around my school and neighborhood or other times I'll ask my family or friends if they know of a topic that people are talking about. I'll also surf the web and every once in a while I'll find some really interesting information and a story will just branch from that. It takes research! |
Carson Satterfield is a TFK Kid Reporter from Maryland. | |
Question:How do you plan and organize a story? | |
 | Once I’ve finished my reporting, I reread all my materials, such as newspaper clippings, notes from interviews and press releases. Then I clear my head and my desk and sit down to write an outline. I usually start with the most exciting or interesting fact from my reporting for the first paragraph. Then I group the other reporting by themes or time period. Usually the more time and thought I put into the outline, the easier it is to write the story. |
Rebecca Winters is a writer at TIME magazine. | |
Question:Is it difficult to write under a deadline? | |
 | Not really. You just have to make sure you plan everything. For example, I set my deadline a day or two before the actual deadline. That way I’m able to finish everything with time to spare, just in case I have to make changes. |
Claudia Atticot is the letters editor at TIME For Kids magazine. | |
Question:What resources do you use to support your writing? | |
 | I gather writing ideas from experiences I’ve had, books and articles I’ve read and current events in the world and in my community. I also think writers shouId read and learn as much as they can from other writers. Experience is also important. A writer should learn about foreign cultures, seek adventure, listen to music and even try new foods. |
Danielle Oberdier is a TFK Kid Reporter from New York. | |
Question:How do you make sure that the information in your stories is correct? | |
 | I always check my information against at least two good sources. Random pages on the Internet do not qualify as solid sources. Some examples of good sources are news stories from major newspapers, online encyclopedias and information gathered through experts. |
Kathy Satterfield is an associate editor at TIME For Kids magazine. | |
Question:How do you complete your writing assignments on time? | |
 | I have learned to work under strict, self-imposed deadlines because I write my own newspaper. It can be difficult to find the time to write articles requiring research and interviews, especially if you have other activities planned like sports, school and clubs. But one thing you absolutely cannot do is procrastinate. Just stay on task, and spread out your work so that there will be no crunch-time |
Henry Rome is a TFK Kid Reporter from Pennsylvania. | |
