The Elf Girl

I felt that you would enjoy this story more, if you really knew who I was and what I usually do to plan for writing. So please enjoy the mini bio I provide below.

My name is Shannon and I am 12 years old. I owe my interest of writing to my second grade teacher, who taught me that reading & writing are wonderful things. Just before that, I hated reading and writing as well...thinking it was only a bother. But this teacher opened my eyes.

I first began only writing short stories, not more than a paragraph or two. I remember loving to think up stories and tell them to my friends and family....but I barely wrote any of them down. I didn't have the best handwriting, and hated it when my hand got tired from holding the pencil so long. I did, however, write a novel in third grade entitled "Beauiful Things" and one in fourth entitled "The Troublemakers". That is when I really got into writing. I learned to type, and now I am a wiz at it. I can type very fast without even a glance at the keyboard. This skill helped me a lot- because I now do all of my story work and documenting right on my computer which is easiest for me.

My best advice for people who like writing, is to always read. I LOVE reading and do it constantly. I read everywhere! I carry a book in the car with me, in the grocery store, and when I had recess I would read during it. There's nothing I love more than reading, except for writing. My favorite authors include R.L Stine, Gail Carson Levine, Joan Lowry Nixon, and Lois Duncan.

When I write, I love to plan. I know that's a bit strange- most writers feel that planning is a boring part. But for me it is completely wonderful. I enjoy going deep inside my stories. I figure out my characters, settings, and plots before I start the piece. That way I feel as if I am in the story. I might, however, change the story along the way if I feel its going in a completely different direction than I thought.

Along with novels I especially love writing poems, stories, songs, plays, and articles for my seven websites.

MY ADVICE FOR LIFE: Never stop dreaming! If you're known for being imaginative always hold onto that trait. Imagination is a gift and you must treasure it. There is no other trait that can build palaces, travel through fairy towers, and create works of art except for imagination. Unleash yours today.