This book contends that, by putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), young people can learn to express their true feelings, understand themselves, create, re-create, and explore who they are and want to be. The book stresses that besides developing and sharpening creative communication skills, personal writing is even good for mental health and well-being. It suggests that the skills developed through writing--observing, thinking, creating, and reflecting--are skills that all teenagers need to have in order to become critical thinkers. Divided into four parts and subdivided into nine chapters, the book explores the many benefits of writing. Part 1, "Testing the Waters," gives 12 good reasons to write, and ways to think like a writer, be more creative, and sharpen writing skills. Part 2, "Diving into Your Life," invites the reader to form the writing habit. Activities are presented to help the individual to explore his or her world. Part 3, "Surfacing," shows how to revise writing and how to edit when necessary. Part 4, "Swimming toward Home," explains how (and why) to connect with other readers and writers through classes, readings, mentors, groups, and publishers. (NKA)