Two New York Times–bestselling authors use personal experiences to teach how to work with a writing partner and what problems you may encounter. In a creative project, are two heads better than one? Writing partnerships can produce a remarkable synergy, building on each other’s talents to create work unlike anything the individual authors could do alone. On the other hand, unsuccessful collaboration can be disastrous and has ruined many a friendship. Kevin J. Anderson has worked on numerous novels and stories with dozens of collaborators, and many of those projects have become bestsellers and award winners. Rebecca Moesta has written books and stories with numerous other writers. In this in-depth book Anderson and Moesta describe various collaboration methods with frank recollections of their own experiences. You’ll learn collaborative techniques that will suit any sort of writer, as well as the pitfalls you may encounter. Includes a sample collaboration agreement to adapt to your own needs.

Writing on the Bus showcases the what, how, and why of using athletic team notebooks and journals. The book guides coaches and athletes, from elementary school through college, in analyzing games while thinking deeply about motivation, goal setting, and communication in order to optimize performance. Filled with lesson plans, writing activities, and step-by-step guidance, Writing on the Bus includes stories and examples from teams and athletes at all levels of sport. This book will work well as a supplemental text for college courses in the fields of coaching, kinesiology, and physical education.

A highly illustrated middle-grade series that celebrates new friendships, first crushes, and getting out of your comfort zone—now in paperback Ever since they can remember, fifth graders Kenzie (aka Kenzilla) and Shelly (aka Bomb Shell) have dreamed of becoming roller derby superstars. When Austin’s city league introduces a brand-new junior league, the dynamic duo celebrates! But they’ll need to try out as a five-person team. Kenzie and Shelly have just one week to convince three other girls that roller derby is the coolest thing on wheels. But Kenzie starts to have second thoughts when Shelly starts acting like everyone’s best friend . . . Isn’t she supposed to be Kenzie’s best friend? And things get really awkward when Shelly recruits Kenzie’s neighbor (and secret crush!) for the team. With lots of humor and an authentic middle-grade voice, book one of this illustrated series follows Kenzie, Shelly, and the rest of the Derby Daredevils as they learn how to fall—and get back up again.

It's the new nonfiction: the creative hybrid combining the readability and excitement of fiction with the best of expository prose; the innovative genre that has been awarded virtually every Pulitzer Prize for literary journalism since 1979. In this book, an undisputed master of the great American nonfiction short story shares his secrets.

How do churches grow and make an impact in their community . . . and the world? They work together in intentional ways in order to maximize everyone's gifts. They're mission-driven. Church Is a Team Sport shows proven ways to push believers, new and mature, toward growth as both Christians--and leaders. Through this powerful, thought-provoking volume, ministers both in the congregation and on staff will discover how to expand the church one soul at a time. Making disciples is the crux of pastor Jim Putman's message. The plan works. Caring for people, following up on stray sheep, and teaching what it means to love God and obey him. That's how Church Is a Team Sport transforms Christians from Monday-morning quarterbacks into dynamic players. "Jim Putman is a coach at heart. He is a leader of people, and they follow him. He is committed, authentic, and refreshingly honest. What you see is what you get. . . . He boils everything down to its essence and is not distracted. But at the core he cares. He cares for people and believes that one sheep should not be lost no matter what it costs the shepherd. You cannot read this book with an open heart and remain nonchalant about the people God has put in your care." -From the foreword by Avery Willis, author and international speaker "Time out . . . this one's the real deal! Jim Putman does an awesome job of challenging Christian leaders to rethink the boxes we find ourselves in. Church Is a Team Sport is a gutsy book that promotes innovative and practical means for how to become a true team. There's no trash talking here, just positive lessons to improve your church." -Dave Stone, senior pastor, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky "Jim Putman has written a clear, practical, and powerful guide for doing church together, as a team. His authenticity is refreshing and the story of Real Life is amazing. Pick up a copy of this book for yourself and for your team." -Jud Wilhite, author, Stripped; senior pastor, Central Christian Church, Las Vegas "I have observed Jim and his ministry up close for several years. He is a great coach, pastor, and leader. This book is not theory. It is a practical playbook that has been used at Real Life to develop a winning church. Jim's insights will help your church become more effective in impacting your community. All of your leadership team needs to read this book." -Don Wilson, pastor, Christ's Church of the Valley, Phoenix, Arizona

Built around real group interactions, Team Writing is a flexible, hybrid resource that pairs videos with a brief print book. Based on research revealing major problems at all stages of peer group work, the book shows how written communication can help technical writing students contribute to team projects in a meaningful way — and provides strategies for dealing with the breakdowns that can derail a project’s success. Numerous examples highlight the kind of written communication that helps teams thrive. Short, Web-based videos depict student teams in action, going beyond the textbook to show what real collaboration looks and sounds like.

This book is for graduate students--and others--who want to become more productive writers. It's especially written for those who want to:• increase their motivation, focus, and persistence to move a project to completion• overcome procrastination and perfectionistic tendencies• reduce (or write in spite of) their anxiety and fear of writing• manage their time, work, energy (and advisor) for greater productivityThe process or craft of sustained writing is not a matter that’s taught to undergraduate or graduate students as part of their studies, leaving most at sea about how to start a practice that is central to a career in academe and vital in many other professional occupations.This book grew out of conversations Jan Allen has held with her graduate students for over 30 years and reflects the fruit of the writing workshops and boot camps she has conducted at three universities, her own and numerous colleagues’ experiences with writing and advising, as well as the feedback she receives from her popular Productive Writer listserv.While Jan Allen recognizes that writing is not an innate talent for most of us, she demonstrates that it is a process based on skills which we can identify, learn, practice and refine. She focuses both on the process and habits of writing as well as on helping you uncover what kind of writer are you, and reflect on your challenges and successes. With a light touch and an engaging sense of humor, she proposes strategies to overcome procrastination and distractions, and build a writing practice to enable you to become a more productive and prolific writer.Jan Allen proposes that you read one of her succinct chapters – each devoted to a specific strategy or writing challenge – each day, or once a week. When you find one that increases your concentration, motivation or endurance, make it a habit. Try it for two weeks, charting the resulting increased productivity. It will become part of your repertoire of writing and productivity tools to which you can progressively add.