Ask a Tech Teacher is officially on Thanksgiving break so I’m going to pop in here with two posts from our international team that just couldn’t wait:

• From Blank Page to First Chapter: A Beginner’s Guide on How to Start Writing a Book-–for the teacher-authors following Ask a Tech Teacher, a how-to primer on writing the book that rattles around in your head (see below)

• Top 5 Game Development Platforms for Young Coders: Building Skills with Fun–perfect for those still doing Hour of Code in December (click here after 11-26-24)

From Blank Page to First Chapter: A Beginner’s Guide on How to Start Writing a Book

The truth is, many of us dream about writing a book, but we stop ourselves because we think we lack experience or don’t know where to start. Here’s the secret: no one starts as an expert. Whether you’re an educator hoping to inspire others, a student exploring creativity, or simply someone with a tale to tell, this guide is here to show you that the hardest part—getting started—isn’t as scary as it seems.

We’ll break it down into small, achievable steps, from brainstorming ideas to turning them into something tangible. Ready to take that first leap? Let’s begin your journey to becoming a writer.

Embrace Your Inner Storyteller

Think about what sparks your desire to write. Are you an educator who wants to turn classroom experiences into a guide for others? A parent with stories to inspire your kids? Whatever your reason, it’s valid—and it’s the fuel that will keep you going.

Identify your audience

Are you writing for fellow teachers? Students? A general audience? For example, if you’re writing for educators, your book might blend personal anecdotes with actionable tips. Writing for students? Maybe you’ll create relatable stories that inspire them to dream big. Your audience shapes the tone, structure, and even the language of your book.

Find your voice

Don’t worry about sounding “perfect” or “writerly.” Instead, focus on authenticity. Are you humorous, empathetic, or straight-to-the-point? Let that shine through—your readers will thank you for it.

The Idea Phase—Where Do Stories Come From?

Inspiration doesn’t have to be dramatic. It might be something simple, like a funny interaction with a student, a challenge you overcame, or a lesson that stuck with you. Even mundane experiences can become meaningful when viewed through the right lens. The key is to turn your raw inspiration into a clear, actionable theme. If you’re more of a visual thinker, try mind mapping—grab a piece of paper, write your main idea in the center, and branch out with related thoughts.

Crafting Your Blueprint

Before writing, take some time to sketch out the structure of your book. Think of chapters, key points, and takeaways for your readers. If outlining feels overwhelming, start with a simple method.

For example, if your book is about engaging students in creative ways, your outline might include chapters like Understanding Student Motivation and Practical Classroom Strategies. Over time, you can add details and expand on these topics.

Technology makes outlining a breeze. Apps like Scrivener or Plottr allow you to visualize your book’s structure, rearrange sections easily, and even track your progress. If you prefer pen and paper, sticky notes on a wall can give you a physical view of your chapters, which is especially helpful when tackling how to start writing a book.

Writing Without Fear

Once your outline is ready, it’s time to do what you’ve been waiting for—start writing. For many beginners asking how to start writing a book with no experience, this step feels the most intimidating. But remember, no one writes a perfect first draft. The goal is progress, not perfection.

Fear is often the biggest obstacle to writing books. Many first-time writers worry about things like “What if it’s not good enough?” Here’s the truth: every writer, even bestselling authors, has faced these fears. The trick is to silence that inner critic during the first draft. Focus on writing one paragraph or one scene at a time. You’re not writing the whole book today—just a tiny piece of it.

Write first, edit later

Your first draft is your playground. Don’t get stuck trying to make every sentence perfect. Just let the words flow. Editing comes later, and it’s a separate skill from writing. When you finish your first draft, you can revise it with fresh eyes.

Many writers seek assistance, wondering, “Can someone write my paper or help me refine my ideas?” There are plenty of resources, like writing communities or freelance editors, to guide you through this phase.

For on-the-go inspiration, try dictation apps that turn your spoken words into text. If staying focused is a struggle, apps like FocusWriter or Freedom can help eliminate distractions.

Building Confidence Through Feedback

Seeking feedback from trusted sources is one of the best ways to grow as a writer and refine your work. Many new writers hesitate to share their drafts, fearing criticism. But early feedback is invaluable.

Share chapters or excerpts with close friends, colleagues, or even online writing groups. These fresh perspectives can catch blind spots and encourage. Platforms like Scribophile or NaNoWriMo forums connect you with others on the same journey, offering support, critiques, and tips.

Bringing Your Book to Life

Editing is a crucial step in writing. Start with self-editing. Next, consider professional editing services if your budget allows—many platforms specialize in affordable services for beginners.

For beginners wondering how to start writing a book and sharing it with the world, self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or IngramSpark are fantastic options. They allow you to retain creative control and reach global audiences. If traditional publishing is your goal, research literary agents and publishers that align with your book’s theme.

Final Thoughts

Writing a book isn’t just about the final product—it’s about the journey. It’s about discovering your voice, sharing your unique perspective, and creating something that could inspire, educate, or entertain others. Whether you’re starting with a spark of an idea or still figuring out how to start writing a book with no experience, remember that every writer begins somewhere.

Take it one step at a time. Embrace the messy drafts, seek feedback, and use the tools and strategies available to you. Writing books isn’t reserved for seasoned authors—it’s for anyone with a story or an idea worth sharing.

Your story is important. So start today, even if it’s just a sentence or a rough outline. Who knows? That small step could lead to something extraordinary. You’ve got this—now go write your book.

Copyright ©2024 askatechteacher.com – All rights reserved.

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“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

Create a holiday card for Thanksgiving or Christmas in KidPix or another drawing program and reinforce early writing skills while teaching mouse skills, toolbars and tool use: (more…)

Here are popular online resources to teach about digital storytelling (click here for updates to list):

1. Adobe Creative Cloud Express–digital stories that blend images and audio into a video
2. Adobe Voice–Show your story; free
3. Bluster–word matching game develops vocabulary and word understanding for school-aged children (app)
4. Book Creator
5. Book Writer--write books on an iPad; view in iBooks (fee) (app)
6. Comic Book!(app)
7. Create a story
8. Draw a Stickman–draw the main character of your story; the site turns it into a choose-your-own-adventure story, asking you to add detail. (app)
9. Newspapers, posters, comics—learn to create
10. Pixton–use their storytelling layout (picture at top, text at bottom)
11. Puppet Pals – Create simple animated stories with puppets and even yourself!
12. Shutterfly Photostory–self-published student books (app)
13. StoryBird—-storytelling with art–beautiful
14. Storyboard That–use their storytelling layout (picture at top, text at bottom)
15. StoryJumper–build a book
16. Sutori–use a variety of multimedia; fee/free accounts
17. VoiceThread (app)
18. Write About This–writing prompts for students (app)

Lesson Plans

1. Digital Quick Writes
2. Digital Quick Stories

Copyright ©2024 askatechteacher.com – All rights reserved.

Here’s the sign-up link if the image above doesn’t work:

https://forms.aweber.com/form/07/1910174607.htm

“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

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Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

How do assignments made by online professionals get good scores? Here are tips to make your assignment look professional, from the Ask a Tech Teacher international team:

Top Tips And Tricks To Make Your Assignment Look Professional

Introduction

One of the most important aspects of an assignment is how you present your report. Similarly, when it comes to the art of assignment creation, it is not just about the content. It is also about how you present it to your professor.

A meticulously designed has the best assignment front page design, an executive summary, a table of contents, and its overall design and presentation.

Moreover, creating the best cover page design for assignments sets the tone for what’s to come next. This signals the readers that they are about to engage with something that will be interesting to read.

This article will emphasize the tips and tricks that will make your assignment look professional.

Are you stressed due to low academic scores and want to improve your grades?

Well, worry no more! Let these tips help you. (more…)

Read the Full Story: National Public Radio (5/11) (more…)

Essay writing is a crucial skill for academic and professional success because it teaches clear, logical, and persuasive communication. The Ask a Tech Teacher team has come up with 10 practical tips to enhance your essay writing abilities, covering aspects like thesis development, structure, evidence, transitions, and proper grammar:

Mastering the Art of Essay Writing

Do you find essay writing daunting? You’re not alone. Many students struggle with this essential academic task. But what if I told you there’s a way to make it easier and more enjoyable? In this blog post, we’ll unlock the secrets to successful essay writing and share 10 proven tips to help you level up your writing game.

Writing essays is an essential skill for both students and academic writers. Achieving high grades, personal development, and future professional success all hinge on strong essay writing abilities. This guide will delve into the elements that create an effective essay and offer 10 practical tips to sharpen your writing skills. Becoming a proficient Essay Writer can make a significant difference in your academic and professional life. By mastering these techniques, you can enhance your ability to produce compelling, well-structured essays. By the end of this post, you’ll possess the tools needed to excel in crafting essays that stand out. (more…)

Creative writing techniques can make essays more engaging and original while maintaining the required objective structure. A member of the Ask a Tech Teacher team, when preparing an essay example for her class on the impacts of social media on mental health, used freewriting to brainstorm ideas and created a vivid opening scene describing a teenager’s day (she teaches High School), highlighting moments of social media interaction and their emotional effects. This approach not only captured students’ attention but structured arguments more clearly.

Check out these key strategies to improve essay writing, pulled from the creative genres:

Improve Your Essays Using Creative Writing Techniques

If you feel like all ideas avoid you and you can’t come up with an engaging writing style for your essay, rest assured you aren’t alone. Students all over the world struggle with writer’s block, low inspiration levels, and so on. However, it’s possible to use creative writing ideas to help you come up with a unique essay.

Creative writing focuses on originality and encourages you to use your imagination to express ideas uniquely. However, essays are more objective, as they require facts and evidence to support your claims. Still, you can use a smart combination of both, and this article explains how.

Top Writing Techniques For Better Essays

First things first, creative writing, as the term self-explains, is about producing original fiction. In simple words, it’s all about writing for entertainment or fun. However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t use techniques for creative writing to improve your essays.

We’ve prepared a few valuable tips that you can use to improve your essay. Some of these ideas may fit your writing style and help create high-quality essays and impress your teachers.

Create An Outline Or Plan

It’s a must to have a plan when you’re writing anything — unless it’s a grocery store list, although even then, you must consider what you should buy. Begin by organizing your initial thoughts and ideas because this approach helps you organize your ideas clearly and guarantees you cover all necessary points.

Start with the main topic or thesis, and write it down at the top. Then, list the key points you want to discuss in your writing. Arrange these points in a logical order. Make sure each point connects smoothly with the next. This way, your writing will be clear and understandable. Include examples or facts for each key point.

A clear outline saves time and helps you stay focused as you don’t go off-topic. This method will make your points stronger and provide clarity to your readers.

Look for help when needed

It is fine to seek a logical answer to the question, “Who or what can write essay for me?’, and the answer can be an AI generator. You may need inspiration and guidance from AI, which has a vast database on your topic and training to write in an academic style. Such assistance shouldn’t be considered cheating since you are just looking for support.

Use generated paper to learn and improve your writing skills, and forget about the countless hours spent rewriting several drafts.

Think About The Audience

Always consider who will read your work and think about their interests, needs, and expectations. This approach helps you tailor your content to engage and inform them effectively. If you are writing for a teacher or professor, remember they might be grading several essays. Thus, make your work stand out by being clear, concise, and original. Avoid unnecessary jargon and complicated language; instead, aim for clarity and simplicity.

Use a mix of sentence structures to keep your writing dynamic and interesting. This method helps maintain the reader’s attention. Edit your work so it’s engaging and free of errors or typos, as a well-edited piece shows respect for your audience and enhances your credibility as a writer.

Freewriting

Freewriting is an excellent technique if you need ideas. Sit down with a blank page (or an open laptop) and start writing whatever comes to mind. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or relevance at this stage, as the goal is to let your thoughts flow freely.

This method helps you unlock your subconscious and generate ideas you haven’t even thought about. This isn’t a new technique or approach as it was developed back in 1973 by Peter Elbow. Set a timer for ten minutes and write non-stop until the timer goes off.

A “Killer” Opening

A killer opening will capture the attention of your reader. Think about the beginning of a great book or movie. It grabs your attention and makes you want to know more. Your writing should do the same.

Start with something more unique and unexpected, although appropriate, as it’s your essay, not a blog post. Maybe describe a vivid image (your topic or problem) or ask a question that makes the reader think. You want them to be curious and eager to keep reading.

Avoid Ambiguous Endings

An ambiguous ending in fiction can be appropriate and great, although some readers won’t be satisfied. However, an ambiguous ending in an essay won’t be appreciated by your professors.

Readers should finish reading your work knowing exactly what you wanted to say. Avoid leaving them with more questions than answers. Your conclusion should summarize your main points and reinforce your argument or narrative.

Think about the message you want to leave with your reader. It’s important to tie up any loose ends and double-check that your arguments explain every question or suggest an answer to every problem.

Improve Your Writing With Detail

Details make your writing come alive in fiction but also help create a unique essay. Details often prove that you know your topic, especially if you’re providing unique examples from your experience or from your understanding.

When you add detail, it keeps your readers engaged. Instead of skimming through dry facts, they get to enjoy a richer narrative. Whether you’re writing an essay, a story, or a report, add relevant details. They enrich your work and make it more compelling.

In essays, details can help illustrate your points and make your arguments more convincing. For example, if you’re writing about a technology or mechanism that guarantees great results, add details about how it was implemented in real life. Or at least suggest how it should be used in a real scenario. Just be careful not to overdo it. Too many details can overwhelm your reader, so keep in mind that balance never hurts anyone.

Proofread And Edit

Proofreading and editing are a must for everyone, regardless of their type of written work. You can’t expect your first draft to be perfect, but that’s when editing comes into play. Even famous authors like Stephen King emphasize the importance of editing. He advises writers to “kill your darlings,” meaning you should be willing to cut out parts of your writing that don’t add value.

When editing, be honest with yourself and ask if each part of your text truly contributes to your work. If it doesn’t, remove it. After finishing your draft, take a break before you start editing, as this approach helps you see your work with fresh eyes and catch mistakes you might have missed earlier. Make sure you plan enough time for editing so you can review your work to hand it in on time.

Know Everything About Your Writing

Professional writers will tell you that they know exactly what their characters had for dinner on a certain day, or what their favorite color is, and so on. Obviously, this trick can’t be applied directly to essay writing, but you can use the general idea of understanding what you type.

When you’re sitting in front of a computer and typing on the keyboard, don’t do so mindlessly. You must understand each word and sentence. Moreover, you should have a complete understanding of the topic and separate terms within that topic. In that case, your writing will turn out to be professional as it will be clear that you know what you’re writing about.

Consider Peer Feedback

Getting feedback from peers can greatly improve your writing. Writers often ask friends or colleagues to review their work, as this method helps identify any mistakes or areas that need improvement. Peer feedback can highlight things you might overlook, like plot holes, spelling errors, or unnecessary details.

Once you’ve edited your work, ask someone you trust to read it. They can offer a new perspective and catch errors you missed. It’s best if this person isn’t in your class to avoid giving them any ideas for their own work. Remember, constructive criticism is meant to help you improve, so don’t be too upset or angry.

Use A Notebook For Ideas

Keeping a notebook can come in handy for writers since you never know when inspiration will strike. Obviously, in our digital era, you can use your phone or tablet as long as you’re comfortable with typing from these portable devices. However, some people quite enjoy the idea of old-fashioned notebooks. They can add to the general creative process and make it more enjoyable.

This notebook doesn’t have to be just for one project. Use it to store all your ideas, even those that don’t fit your current work. You might think of a brilliant idea while shopping or on your way to class. They might be useful for future essays or stories. Keeping your ideas organized and accessible can help you find inspiration whenever you need it. Plus, the process of reviewing old notes can lead to coming up with new ideas and improving your writing skills.

In summary: Essay writing is challenging and requires analyzing data and providing one’s thoughts on the topic. It’s even more difficult when you can’t find a proper way to express your thoughts in writing. This article explores creative writing tips that can help come up with essay ideas, engage the reader, and generate a unique work.

–image credit to Deposit Photo

Copyright ©2024 askatechteacher.com – All rights reserved.

Here’s the sign-up link if the image above doesn’t work:

https://forms.aweber.com/form/07/1910174607.htm

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

Is using AI in your essay writing unethical and a potential reason your teacher may debate your work’s authenticity? Let’s find out the truth through the Ask a Tech Teacher team:

Ethics and the Use of AI in Essays

AI-driven tools and their use in creative writing, specifically with the purpose of writing essays, have long been a subject of heated debate. The argument against AI-powered tools remains the same: any content produced by artificial intelligence can be viewed as plagiarism. This is the same concern that has been posed about essay writing services and the people who use them. Reading a Scamfighter review is part of my routine, so it is easy to confirm that some writing services are indeed unethical and unprofessional if they use plagiarized content to complete your tasks. However, boundaries become murkier when it comes to AI and its role in writing essays. (more…)

Explore the benefits and drawbacks of AI in essay writing, including its impact on student learning. Unveil the evolving future of writing education with AI through these suggestions from the Ask a Tech Teacher team.

AI and Writing Essays: Pros and Cons, How Will Students Learn to Write if an AI Writes It for Them?

In the fast-changing digital world, integrating AI into education is both a breakthrough and a problem. AI’s influence in essay writing is growing, highlighting both advantages and significant issues. AI algorithms use massive datasets and natural language processing to produce content that replicates student writing styles as teaching tools. This technology will transform education by personalizing learning and meeting various student demands. (more…)

From the three-paragraph essay to one that lives up to the purpose of essays is a big leap both scholastically and skills-wise. Here are four tips from the Ask a Tech Teacher team to get you started:

How to Improve Essay Writing Skills: Abbie Kay from State of Writing Giving Tips and Strategies for Students

Improving essay writing skills is crucial for students aiming to excel academically. Abbie Kay from State of Writing emphasizes that solid writing is about expressing ideas and effectively engaging and persuading your audience. Here, we delve into practical tips and strategies to transform your writing from good to great, ensuring your essays are clear, compelling, and academically rigorous. (more…)