This is an excellent title for any public, school, or classroom library. I think the best fit would be middle school and beyond. If you're looking for the practical knowledge in Stephen King's On Writing but for a younger audience or with less adult language or sections, this is absolutely for you. I think this is a solid instructional guide on how to write stories and make your writing stronger that would be great for anyone who's independently interested or who's taking a class on writing. I am a high school librarian and I am interested in purchasing a physical copy for our library to help with creative writing classes and students who love to write. It has digestible chapters, engaging stories, and is clear and easy to understand. Highly recommend!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Before I picked up this book, I had no idea who the author was. After I looked him up, I still don't. From what I can determine, he's a middle-grades writer in Canada. Seeing as how I have no experience with his actual works of fiction, I can not determine if he stands in a position to be giving advice, but what the hell.

His advice is not bad. Some of his metaphors get a bit... messy because he tries to explain things in multiple ways. Which is great for when you're speaking to kids. I will interject here that he frequently goes to schools to speak about writing, so in that regard, he comes by it honest. However, when kids are reading, if they're already trying to grasp one relational simile, it is not a good idea to bump up another one next to it.

Teaching middle school students myself, I like how he boils things down to very simple directions. I will for sure, be using some of his phrasing for my personal narrative unit. He gives due credit for brainstorming and what that actually entails as well as revising, and how you can use that as an opportunity to revise your beginning to loop with something in your ending.

Not a big fan of the dorky humor. I know a lot of middle grades writers will do this in works of nonfiction that are written in a second-person pov, but all of the middle schoolers I've worked with simply roll their eyes when adults try to joke around with them.

Overall, a good book with approachable and logical suggestions to follow, but the tone is a little cringe.

Full of tips for writing stories of fiction. Some of these were:
(1)Write from your own experiences.
(2)Base the main character or one of the characters on yourself.
(3)Add some characters based on people you know. Or you can make a whole new character combining or mixing characteristics/personalities of people you know.
(4) Start the story with a suspenseful or action packed element, and keep adding to the details slowly.
(5)Always end where you began. Resolve the points you introduced and even add little things into the story that no one would suspect are significant to the plot.
(6) Give your characters flaws. No one is perfect.

The author did refer to Adam and Eve as a story; including it in a list of children's books. In referring to life after death; he describes it as being "either eternal nothingness or eternal torment, of which no one wants to think about." Didn't know what to think of his term 'eternal nothingness.'

I did enjoy the book for the helpful writing tips it gave and will definitely be using them in my own story writing.

Thank you to Net Galley for the chance to read this book before its publication date.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC for this book. It has great suggestions for students to expand their writing skills and it does it in a fun way.

As someone who keeps getting "stuck" I think this book is fantastic for the middle school audience it's designed for but also as a humorous motivation for adults. This was a humorous explanation of the writing process and what makes it work, how to improve your writing, etc. The examples are hilarious and the style is engaging. I highly recommend this for all middle school kids, even if they never thought of writing before, because everyone has an amazing story to tell.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

I can think of no author more qualified to write a book of this nature. Richard Scrimger brings his innate talent and humor to this practical guide that breaks down the elements of writing a good story. As informative as it is laugh out loud funny, anyone who wants to write stories will find his suggestions to be useful. Highly recommended. #Tundra #Netgalley

I received this arc from Penguin Random House Publishing Canada and I thought it was not only practical, as the subtitle says, but an insightful guide to teaching writing directly to middle-schoolers. I often hear children complain about writing. They feel that it does not come naturally to them, but as Richard Scrimger described in this book, story telling is an ancient art form which every one is capable of doing.

His chapters are illustrated with fun graphics. This, coupled with the engaging way in which he writes, are prefect for the all too "cool" middle school age group. They need books that will pull them in and hold their attention, which I believe, this book does. It is a step by step guide for children to put their creative juices into action and come up with their own books. Who knows, Scrimger might inspire the next J.K. Rowling (or Richard Scrimger) with this book?

I would recommend this book for any class above third grade, which, in my experience is when students are more disengaged with writing.

In "Your Story Matters," Richard Scrimger, a favorite author of young people I work with with a deep understanding of the middle grade audience, delivers an insightful and engaging guide that empowers aspiring young writers to discover the art of storytelling. As a therapist specializing in bibliotherapy and narrative therapy, I found this book to be an excellent resource that not only nurtures creativity but also fosters emotional literacy among young people. There's so much an educator, parent, and/or counselor can do to engage youth with this book!

Having previously enjoyed Scrimger's work, particularly "The Other Side of Perfect," co-authored with Melanie Florence, I was thrilled to explore his latest offering geared towards middle grade writers. Drawing on over a decade of experience as a middle school social worker, I appreciate Scrimger's commitment to providing a resource that supports youth creative development.

Scrimger adeptly introduces the key elements of storytelling, making the art accessible to young minds. His commentary on the significance of stories as a means to experience the world through diverse perspectives is particularly commendable. I value his emphasis on the power of narrative therapy, encouraging young people to reauthor their stories and craft narratives that align with their authentic selves.

The book goes beyond theory, offering practical examples and insights into what makes stories engaging. His writing is equally engaging and fun to read! Scrimger analyzes stories that may lack engagement and provides constructive feedback, highlighting the importance of character wants, needs, and motivations. This approach empowers teachers, therapists, counselors, and parents to guide young writers in developing compelling narratives.

A standout feature of "Your Story Matters" is its exploration of how feelings inform storytelling and narrative paths. Scrimger seamlessly blends emotional literacy with good writing practices, fostering a holistic approach to creative expression. By breaking down common plots such as the stranger plot, the journey plot, and the loss plot, he assists young writers in developing a roadmap for their stories before putting pen to paper.

I especially appreciate Scrimger's encouragement for young writers to study authors they admire. Cultivating a love of reading, he argues, involves exercising choice and curiosity about writing styles. This insight into personal preferences can illuminate much about a developing young writer's identity and tastes.

The inclusion of helpful assignments and prompts throughout the book adds a practical dimension, encouraging hands-on application of the concepts presented. Scrimger even dedicates a section to writing good dialogue, a crucial aspect often overlooked in writing guides for young audiences.

"Your Story Matters" is a gem for middle grade writers and those guiding them on their creative journey. Richard Scrimger's passion for storytelling, coupled with his deep understanding of the emotional and creative needs of young minds, makes this book an invaluable tool for fostering a generation of confident and expressive writers. Whether you're a teacher, therapist, counselor, or parent, this book is a must-have for nurturing the storytellers of tomorrow. Thank you to the publisher and author for the e-arc copy!