In this engaging and accessible guide, Eugen Bacon explores writing speculative fiction as a creative practice, drawing from her own work, and the work of other writers and theorists, to interrogate its various subgenres. Through analysis of writers such as Stephen King, J.R.R. Tolkien and J. K. Rowling, this book scrutinises the characteristics of speculative fiction, considers the potential of writing cross genre and covers the challenges of targeting young adults. It connects critical and cultural theories to the practice of creative writing, examining how they might apply to the process of writing speculative fiction. Both practical and critical in its evaluative gaze, it also looks at e-publishing as a promising publishing medium for speculative fiction. This is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students of creative writing, looking to develop a critical awareness of, and practical skills for, the writing of speculative fiction. It is also a valuable resource for creators, commentators and consumers of contemporary speculative fiction. Chapter 8, 'Horror and the Paranormal' was shortlisted for the Australasian Horror Writers Association (AHWA)'s 2019 Australian Shadows Awards.

Writing great song lyrics requires practice and discipline. "Songwriting Without Boundaries" helps songwriters commit to routine practice through fun writing exercises. This unique collection of sense-bound prompt challenges helps songwriters develop the skills they need to:

tap into their senses and inject their writing with vivid details
effectively use metaphor and comparative language
add rhythm to their writing and manage phrasing

Divided into four sections, this guide features four different fourteen-day challenges with timed writing exercises, along with examples from other songwriters, poets and prose writers. Contributing writers will include: multiple Grammy winning songwriter Gillian Welch; professional songwriter Mike Reid (?I Can?t Make You Love Me? [performed by Bonnie Raitt]); professional poet Caroline Harvey, who was featured on HBO's Def Poetry Jam; a host of songwriters from the Berklee College of Music faculty; and more.

From the master of STORY, DIALOGUE, and CHARACTER, ACTION offers writers the keys to powerful storytelling. ACTION explores the ways that a modern-day writer can successfully tell an action story that stands apart from all others. In collaboration with former co-host of The Story Toolkit, Bassim El-Wakil, legendary story lecturer Robert McKee guides writers to award-winning originality by analysing the action genre, highlighting the challenges and, more importantly, showing how to master the demands of plot creation through innovation and ingenuity. ACTION is a must-have addition to the McKee storytelling oeuvre.

First published in 1985, this bibliography focuses on the works of S. J. Perelman as a humorist, author, and screenwriter. It is divided into two major sections: "Works by S. J. Perelman" and "Critical Responses". Within each section, there are subdivisions which focus on various areas of S. J. Perelman's work, including his novel, published plays and film scripts.

First published in 1992, this book focuses on the oeuvre of S. J. Perelman. Taken together, the essays included serve as an introduction to this important humorist's work, both in terms of the specific short prose pieces, plays, and films examined and as an overview of his lengthy professional career. They provide insightful and in-depth literary analyses as well. The work encourages a better appreciation for Perelman's contributions to American literary history.

This book, first published in 1955, was written at the request of the BBC in an attempt to help the professional writer to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the television medium. This title will be of interest to students of history, literature and media studies, and will also appeal to the general reader who is interested in knowing how television programmes were constructed.

Screenwriting Fundamentals: The Art and Craft of Visual Writing takes a step-by-step approach to screenwriting, starting with a blank page and working through each element of the craft. Written in an approachable anecdote-infused style that's full of humor, Bauer shows the writer how to put the pieces together, taking the process of screenwriting out of the cerebral and on to the page. Part One of the book covers character, location, time-frame and dialogue, emphasizing the particularity in writing for a visual medium. Part Two of the book focuses on the narrative aspect of screenwriting. Proceeding incrementally from the idea and story outline, through plotting and writing the treatment, the workshop-in-a-book concludes with writing the First Draft. A unique emphasis on the visual elements of storytelling because the camera is always present-the screenplay must act as a guide for the director and the editor. A "workshop in a book" approach that walks the reader step-by-step through a screenplay-focusing on character, location, time frame, visual components, and transitions-with plenty of exercises that generate material for the narrative writing process. A process-oriented approach, combined with a lighthearted tone and approachable style, that allows the reader to ease into the daunting task of writing a First Draft and takes them all the way through to the end- First Draft in hand.

The creative writing workshop has existed since the early part of the 20th century, but does it adequately serve the students who come to it today? While the workshop is often thought of as a form of student-centered pedagogy, it turns out that workshop conversations serve to marginalize a range of aesthetic orientations and the cultural histories to which they belong. Given the shifting demographics of higher education, it is time to re-evaluate the creative writing curriculum and move literary writing pedagogy toward a more inclusive, equitable model. Toward an Inclusive Creative Writing makes the argument that creative writing stands upon problematic assumptions about what counts as valid artistic production, and these implicit beliefs result in exclusionary pedagogical practices. To counter this tendency of creative writing, this book proposes a revised curriculum that rests upon 12 threshold concepts that can serve to transform the teaching of literary writing craft. The book also has a companion website www.criticalcreativewriting.org offering supplemental materials such as lesson plans and course materials.

This book will help you plot like a pro, master the art of suspense like Poe, craft captivating dialogue like Twain and - most crucially - get your short stories published. How to Write Short Stories and Get Them Published is the essential guide to writing short fiction. It takes the aspiring writer from their initial idea through to potential outlets for publication and pitching proposals to publishers. Along the journey this guide considers the most important aspects of creative writing, such as character, plot, point of view, description and dialogue. All of these areas are illustrated with examples of classic fiction, and accompanied by exercises that will help every writer hone their natural skill and talent into the ability to craft compelling short stories.

Twenty years ago Natalie Goldberg's classic, "Writing Down the Bones," broke new ground in its approach to writing as a practice. Now, "Old Friend from Far Away" -- her first book since "Writing Down the Bones" to focus solely on writing -- reaffirms Goldberg's status as a foremost teacher of writing, and completely transforms the practice of writing memoir.

To write memoir, we must first know how to remember. Through timed, associative, and meditative exercises, "Old Friend from Far Away" guides you to the attentive state of thought in which you discover and open forgotten doors of memory. At once a beautifully written celebration of the memoir form, an innovative course full of practical teachings, and a deeply affecting meditation on consciousness, love, life, and death, "Old Friend" welcomes aspiring writers of all levels and encourages them to find their unique voice to tell their stories.

Goldberg's enormously popular workshops have given countless students the ability to heed the call to write. "Old Friend from Far Away" recreates her trademark workshop style with its terse, demanding writing "sprints" that train the hand and mind to quicken their pace and give up conscious control. These exercises divert the eye from the obvious and redirect it to the tactile details we miss, the embarrassments we pass over, and the complications we overlook in the blur of everyday living. Goldberg writes, "No one says it, but writing induces the state of love." "Old Friend from Far Away" guides us into that state of love, where heightened attention and a rhythm of focus allow the patterns and details of the past to emerge on the page.

Millions of Americans want to write about their lives. With "Old Friend" as the road map for getting started and following through, writers and readers will gain a deeper understanding of their own minds, learn to connect with their senses in order to find the detail and truth that give their written words power and authenticity, and unfold the natural structure of the stories they carry within. An absolute joy to read, it is a profound affirmation of the capacity of the written word to remember the past, free us from it, and forever transform theway we think about ourselves and our lives. Like "Writing Down the Bones," it will become an old friend to which readers return again and again.

A practical guide to writing radio drama and getting it produced, by a leading radio dramatist and a hugely experienced radio drama producer who have both created award-winning dramas for the BBC. For writers, radio drama offers a remarkable degree of creative freedom, a unique relationship with an audience listening at home or on the move, and a wealth of opportunities to earn a living. But writing for radio is also a very particular craft, with its own distinctive conventions, techniques and pitfalls. And you need to know how the industry works to stand the best chance of getting your play commissioned. This book, written from the dual perspective of a writer and a radio drama producer, tells you all you need to know about: What works well on radio, and what doesn't How to hook listeners from the start, and how to keep them listening How to format your script How to research and contact the right producer for your play What to expect after you've received a commission What happens when you're in the recording studio Full of practical advice, tips and invaluable inside information about the industry, it also includes extracts from many outstanding radio dramas and a series of writing exercises to help put ideas into practice. So You Want To Write Radio Drama? is an essential guide for anybody who wants to write a radio play, whether you're a first-time writer or one currently working in a different medium. It will also be of help to those already involved in making radio drama, or who simply want an insight into how it is written and made.

'Like a best friend giving you essential advice. I can't wait to give this to every writer I know.' Candice Carty-Williams Why do stories matter? I tell stories to make sense of the world as I see it. The world I have lived and experienced, read about and heard about, and what I want it to be. I tell stories to make sense of myself. Nikesh Shukla, author, writing mentor and bestselling editor of The Good Immigrant, knows better than most the power that every unique voice has to create change. Whether it's a novel, personal essay, non-fiction work or short story - or even just the formless desire to write something - Your Story Matters will hone your skill and help you along the way. This book includes exercises and prompts that will develop your idea, no matter what genre you're writing in. It is practical, to the point and focused on letting you figure out what you want to write, how you want to write and why this is the best use of your voice. Accessible and thought-provoking, Your Story Matters will inspire you to keep thinking about writing, even when you don't have the time to put pen to paper.

Life Writing offers the novice writer engaging and creative activities, making use of insightful, relevant readings from well-known authors to illustrate the techniques presented. This volume makes use of new versions of key chapters from the recent Routledge/Open University textbook, Creative Writing: A Workbook with Readings for writers who are specializing in life writing. Using their experience and expertise as teachers as well as authors, Derek Neale and Sara Haslam guide aspiring writers through such key writing skills as: writing what you know, investigating biography and autobiography, using prefaces, finding a form, using memory, developing characters, using novelistic, poetic and dramatic techniques. The volume is further updated to include never-before published interviews and conversations with successful life writers such as Jenny Diski, Robert Fraser, Richard Holmes, Michael Holroyd, Jackie Kay, Hanif Kureishi and Blake Morrison. Concise and practical, Life Writing offers an inspirational guide to the methods and techniques of authorship and is a must-read for aspiring writers.

This invaluable book offers the student of literature detailed advice on the entire process of critical essay writing, from first facing the question right through to producing a fair copy for final submission to the teacher.

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Country Writer s Craft: Writing for country, regional and rural publications, covers one of the widest marketplaces for writers in the English-speaking world especially in the UK, Australia and the USA. Here we have examples of previously published materials, together with writers exercises to help build up an impressive portfolio from Suzanne Ruthven, who has written on country topics for over 30 years, as well as being author of A Treasury of the Countryside, Hearth & Garden, Life-Writes and Signposts For Country Living.

Previously available as "Before You Write a Word", Before You Write Your Novel sets out the essential techniques and approaches that lay the perfect foundation for writing your first novel. This concise and readable guide addresses the major stumbling blocks of fiction writing: the importance of planning and structure. This book covers the essential components of novel writing including narrative, story, plot, pace, chronology, character arc and engagement techniques, as well as research, story building, plotting and editing. Using an open and honest approach, feeding from his own experience as a published novelist and creative writing teacher, James McCreet offers a guide to the structural mechanisms of the novel, helping you plan a first draft through to a finished novel.

"Graeme Harper is quite possibly the best person in the country to edit this book" -Richard Kerridge, Bath Spa University College, UK

"T""he Creative Writing Guidebook "is the key text for learning creative writing. Packed full of useful advice, exercises and readings, it sets out an informative and inspiring introduction to writing creatively. Taking a practical, workshop approach to creative writing, this comprehensive guidebook includes: introductions to genres of writing, including the novel, poetry, screenwriting, new media and non-fiction; workshop exercises suitable for each genre; a wide-range of examples and suggestions for further reading and discussions of cross-genre issues such as point of view, character, setting and voice.

Written by internationally renowned experts, this is the definitive textbook on creative writing for students.

Contributors include: Catherine Dent, Ken Dancyge, Adrianne Finlay, Graeme Harper, Gill James, Jeri Kroll, Oliver Mayer, Graham Mort, William S. Penn, Hazel Smith, and Silas Zobal

A Guide to Screenwriting Success, Second Edition provides a comprehensive overview of writing-and rewriting-a screenplay or teleplay and writing for digital content. Duncan's handy book teaches new screenwriters the process of creating a professional screenplay from beginning to end. It shows that inspiration, creativity, and good writing are not elusive concepts but attainable goals that any motivated person can aspire to. Duncan includes sections on all aspects of screenwriting-from character development to story templates-and breaks down the three acts of a screenplay into manageable pieces. A Guide to Screenwriting Success contains dozens of exercises to help writers through these steps. The second half of Duncan's practical book covers another, often overlooked, side of screenwriting-the teleplay. Aspiring writers who also want to try their hand at writing for television will need to learn the specifics of the field. The book breaks down this area into two parts, the one-hour teleplay and the situation comedy. There is a section on writing and producing digital content that embraces the "Do It Yourself" attitude to approaching a career in the entertainment industry. Success in screenwriting is no longer a dream but an achievable goal for those who pick up Duncan's guide.

A charming, clever, and original collection of more than 100 spine poems-a popular form of found poetry composed by arranging book spines-illustrated with 110 full-color photographs. Easy to create and share online, spine poems-also known as collage poems or centos-have become a fun and popular way of writing poetry. Spine Poems is a delightful, illustrated collection of more than 100 spine poems that range from hilarious to heart-rending to profound. Award-winning creative director and former bookseller Annette Dauphin Simon has arranged the poems in categories that resemble those found in a bookstore: Art, Biography and Memoir, Business, Cooking, Home and Garden, Music, Parenting, Philosophy, Politics, Pop Culture, Science Fiction and Fantasy, and True Crime. Each poem pulls from a wide variety of book genres and ranges from the short and quippy to lengthier and poignant. Ridiculous / Hilarious / Terrible / Cool Other Words for Home Elisha Cooper / Jasmine Warga Eek! My Heart Is Was Torpedoed Hundred Percent Wonderstruck Didn't See That Coming Restart Julie Larios and Julie Paschkis / Corinna Luyken / Deborah Freedman / Deborah Heiligman /Karen Romano Young / Brian Selznick / Rachel Hollis / Gordon Korman Every poem is visually captured in a color photograph of stacked book spines taken by the author and is presented in a text version on the opposite page. Each spread also includes a list of the authors and artists whose titles make up the poem, and features quotes, fun facts, and other related literary and popular culture miscellany. Spine Poems is a wonderful keepsake and gift book for all lovers of words, books, and poetry.

Writing Fiction offers the novice writer engaging and creative activities, making use of insightful, relevant readings from well-known authors to illustrate the techniques presented. This volume makes use of new versions of key chapters from the recent Routledge/Open University textbook Creative Writing: A Workbook with Readings for writers who are specializing in fiction. Using their experience and expertise as teachers as well as authors, Linda Anderson and Derek Neale guide aspiring writers through such key aspects of writing as: how to stimulate creativity keeping a writer's notebook character creation setting point of view structure showing and telling. The volume is further updated to include never-before published interviews with successful fiction writers Andrew Cowan, Stevie Davies, Maggie Gee, Andrew Greig, and Hanif Kureishi. Concise and practical, Writing Fiction offers an inspirational guide to the methods and techniques of authorship and is a must-read for aspiring writers.

"Long live the King" hailed "Entertainment Weekly" upon publication of Stephen King's "On Writing." Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer's craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have. King's advice is grounded in his vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported, near-fatal accident in 1999--and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery. Brilliantly structured, friendly and inspiring, "On Writing" will empower and entertain everyone who reads it--fans, writers, and anyone who loves a great story well told.

Aimed toward graduate student instructors and other creative writing educators, Teaching Cultural Dexterity in Creative Writing offers a formula for important changes in creative writing instruction-especially in literary/creative nonfiction, probing how instruction might become more inclusive and accessible for minoritized/marginalized student-authors. The book chapters use antiracist, trauma-informed, and anticolonial frameworks toward exploring the 21st-century professional, theoretical, and institutional concerns surrounding creative writing practices in North American higher education. As a result, the book explores ways creative writing pedagogies and theories might be adapted for racially and linguistically marginalized (by English) student-authors, who often inhabit minoritized positions within North American colleges and universities. This book provides resources toward culturally dexterous nonfiction curricula, through the discussion of course readings, writing prompts following every chapter, and additional sample course materials. As cultural dexterity has been explored to allow medical students to engage effectively with patients from multiple backgrounds, ethnic groups, and sensitivities, Teaching Cultural Dexterity in Creative Writing examines why and how creative writing instruction must also be renegotiated. Applying as a frame the notion of cultural dexterity as it is taught to medical professionals to allow them to engage effectively with patients from all backgrounds, ethnics groups and with all sensitivities, Teaching Cultural Dexterity in Creative Writing examines why and how creative writing instruction needs to be urgently renegotiated. In this essential text for all creative writing instructors, McCray provides all the tools necessary to take positive action with discussions of potential readings, writing prompts and sample course materials.