Creative Writing Craft

The traditional writing workshop was established with white male writers in mind; what we call craft is informed by their cultural values. In this bold and original examination of elements of writing - including plot, character, conflict, structure, and believability - and aspects of workshop - including the silenced writer and the imagined reader - Matthew Salesses asks questions to invigorate these familiar concepts. He upends Western notions of how a story must progress.

A creative writer's shelf should hold at least three essential books: a dictionary, a style guide, and Writing Fiction. Janet Burroway's best-selling classic is the most widely used creative writing text in America, and for more than three decades, it has helped hundreds of thousands of students learn the craft.

Everybody wants to write a book, but most authors fall short. If only there was a clear, systematic, structured approach to crafting bestsellers that would... help you organize your creative ideas unravel the messy writing process save months of editing and revision increase engagement and get more book reviews keep readers glued to each page with dramatic tension impress your mom (and everyone else) with your genius When I started out as an author, I read every book on craft, plotting and writing techniques I could find - but they left me more confused than ever. I ended up quitting, and ...

DO YOU want readers to find your stories un-put-downable?DO YOU want to create stories readers love? WRITE GREAT SCENES gives you a key set of tools to becoming a writer whose works readers can't stop reading. The most fundamental building block of any novel isn't the character or the plot or anything except the scenes. If you learn how to write great scenes you'll be well on your way to creating novels readers can't put down. This book breaks down what makes a great scene, the four critical elements every great scene needs, and provides you with an entire toolkit of Page-Turner Techniques ...

As practical as it is inspiring, The Art of Creative Writing remains a timeless, illuminating guide that teaches every writer, and aspiring writer, how to create works that are both compelling and enduring.

Learn how to critique creative writing and justify your opinions from an analysis of the work. Essential tips for readers writing reviews or authors trying to improve their novels. This unique, concise guide will give you advice on capturing your impressions and then, more importantly, the methods to justify them by a systematic examination of the composition of the writing, with examples. Broken into sections, it provides a structured approach to understanding why a story works... or doesn't: Read-through and impressions High-level analysis: opening, plot, character, dialogue, pace & style...

Most writers struggle with creating a captivating story. The fastest way to improve your writing skills is by applying the Deep Point-of-View technique, which can transform any novel from mediocre storytelling into riveting prose. This fiction writing guide includes hundreds of amazing ways to use “show don’t tell” to submerge readers so deeply into a scene they will experience the story along with the characters. Plus, this useful author resource includes a thesaurus with inspiring word choices! Writers will learn to: Revise Shallow Writing Deepen Characterization Craft Realistic ...

Unlock the "Wild Magic" of your writing and defeat writer's block for good. From pioneering cultural critic and veteran writer Jacob Clifton comes a revolutionary guide to the creative process, reframing writing not as a chore, but as an act of "wild magic". Drawing from 25 years of professional experience, Zen Buddhist principles, and a journey through creative burnout, Clifton offers an empathetic and sustainable practice to help you silence your inner critic, reconnect with your voice, and make writing a joyous part of your life. The Wild Writer's Herbal provides the tools you need to ...

Our unique audioteach method features the voice of a real tutor, Chris Sykes. He will guide you through your course with over seven hours of audio material, giving you tips and advice based on his many years of teaching and writing experience and helping you to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls. This course takes you from complete beginner or committed amateur to the point where you've completed, edited and redrafted your work and are ready for publication.

Learn Fun and Creative Ways to Enhance Your Descriptions! The advice, tools, and reference lists in this writing guide for fiction authors will inspire writers to create original and vibrant descriptions of characters, locations, weather, and mood that can greatly enhance anyone’s storytelling, whether you’re writing adult fiction, young adult fiction, or children’s books. Fictional and real settings are much more effective, dramatic, and evocative when they’re visible, auditory, olfactory, and tactile. Character depictions are much more imaginative, lifelike, and vivid for readers ...

A Practical Guide to Making Your Settings Work for Your Story Some writers treat setting as an afterthought—a simple backdrop for the plot to unfold. But the best stories don’t just happen somewhere; they emerge from places that feel alive, rich with history, symbolism, and emotion. The Anatomy of Settings is a step-by-step guide for writers looking to craft immersive worlds that shape character arcs, deepen conflict, and reinforce theme. Whether you’re writing fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, or contemporary stories, this book will help you transform your settings from ...

Michael Hogan, as a poet and educator, has been gifted with friendships of fellow writers throughout most of his life. Three of these were Nobel laureates, still others household names: Seamus Heaney, W.S. Merwin, Charles Bukowski, Marge Piercy, Naomi Shihad Nye and Ray Bradbury, among a dozen others . What is surprising is what he manages to do with such experiences in this book. Through a series of narrations centered on wide-ranging episodes with other poets, the author distills a unique kind of ars poetica, one that is tied less to a traditional memoir, than to the impression these men ...

Unlock the Power of Your Words: Journey into the Heart of Hypnotic Storytelling Are you ready to transform your writing and master the art of influence? Hypnotic Writing Lab: Develop Your Hypnotic Episodic Storytelling Skills for Influence is your gateway to a deeper understanding of how language can shape thoughts, evoke emotions, and guide perceptions. Building on the principles laid out in The Art of Hypnotic Episodic Storytelling, this book takes you beyond theory and into the practical application of hypnotic techniques through a series of carefully designed prompts. Each prompt ...

#1 New York Times bestselling author Ruta Sepetys is known for creating vivid characters and harrowing plots. After five award-winning works of historical fiction and countless hours of meticulous research, she can affirm that the secret to strong writing is embedded within your life experience. You: The Story is a powerful how-to book for aspiring writers that encourages you to look inward and excavate your own memories in order to discover the authentic voices and compelling details that are waiting to be put on the page.

Learn to Improve Emotional Descriptions, Create Believable Settings, and Craft Powerful Descriptive Writing. This guidebook is a companion to the first volume in the Fiction Writing Tools series, "The Writer's Guide to Character Emotion" on descriptive writing and Deep POV, with Immersive Writing Techniques. Within this in-depth writing craft book are practical tools on how to apply descriptive writing to create realistic settings, visceral responses, and lifelike characters. Included are lists and advice on: Setting Descriptors Character Personality Traits Character Development Descriptive...

You’ve finished your first draft—now what? On Rewriting is your witty, practical, and inspiring guide to transforming messy manuscripts into meaningful masterpieces. With humor, clarity, and actionable techniques, this book invites writers into the heart of the rewriting process—the crucial stage where stories are shaped, voices are sharpened, and true magic happens. Learn how to: Reimagine and restructure your rough draft Identify your story’s “secret sauce” Use powerful tools like “read aloud” and “cut-and-paste” to reshape scenes Embrace feedback and editing rituals ...

Are you stuck in a rut in the entertainment industry, yearning for more acting opportunities and financial success? Does life feel like a never-ending loop, leaving you sleepwalking through your days? Imagine a world where you can break into the entertainment industry on your terms, showcasing your unique talents. Picture yourself climbing the mountain of success, changing directions, and finally making things happen in your acting career. Introducing GOING SOLO, the industry's most comprehensive guide that blends the art and business of solo theatre. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned...

For 50 years, writers at every stage of their careers have turned to the literary nonprofit organization Poets & Writers and its award-winning magazine for resources to foster their professional development, from writing prompts and tips on technique to informative interviews with published authors, literary agents, and editors. But never before has Poets & Writers marshalled its 50 years’ worth of knowledge to create an authoritative guide for writers that answers every imaginable question about craft and career - until now.

Write Without Fear provides a practical, step-by-step guide to writing a novel while overcoming the fear and self-doubt that often hold writers back. It focuses on building confidence, fostering creativity, and breaking the writing process into manageable, achievable steps. The book combines actionable advice with motivational insights to help aspiring authors embrace their unique voice and stay consistent without succumbing to perfectionism or procrastination. Core Themes: Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt: Learn how to silence your inner critic and embrace imperfection during the writing ...

Whispers of Willow Lake Escape to the enchanting shores of Willow Lake, where mist-veiled mornings and golden sunrises paint the canvas of a summer that will change everything. Amanda, a Chicago artist grappling with creative block, seeks solace in the tranquil beauty of Wisconsin's countryside. Armed with her sketchpad and a heart full of hope, she stands at the threshold of a journey that promises more than just inspiration. As the gentle lapping of waves and rustling willows whisper age-old secrets, Amanda discovers that Willow Lake holds more than meets the eye. Unexpected friendships ...