Letter writing in a "Dear Abby" format can encourage your reluctant writers to dig deeper into books by dispensing advice to troubled characters When this author's triplet daughters were in the fifth grade and wrote the advice column for their school newspaper, she discovered giving advice can motivate reluctant writers. This realization prompted her to bring this style of writing into the classroom. She learned that students can write "Dear Abby" type letters to troubled characters found in children?s literature and offer them advice to their problems. Her undergraduate students experimented with these activities when working with first, second and third graders. The kids enjoyed the letter-writing activities and were eager to give their advice and suggestions.