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Books > Language & Literature > Literary & linguistic reference works > Creative writing & creative writing guides
* An original, accessible book on the unique challenges and
benefits of teaching creative writing to nonnative English writers
* Equal emphasis on teaching in ESL and EFL environments, to appeal
to English immersion and EMI contexts in Asia and Europe * This
book provides practical advice and assignments to help preservice
teachers and instructors develop their classes, and offers guidance
on evaluation and provides exercises tailored to the needs of L2
writers * This book breaks from tradition ideas of creative writing
in the sense of genre and instead focuses on concrete writing
skills
Marking the tenth anniversary of the New Writing Viewpoints series,
this new book takes the concept of an edited collection to its
extreme, pushing the possibilities of scholarship and
collaboration. All authors in this book, including those who
contributed to Power and Identity in the Creative Writing
Classroom, which launched the series ten years ago, are proof that
creative writing matters, that it can be rewarding over the long
haul and that there exist many ways to do what we do as writers and
as teachers. This book captures a wide swathe of ideas on pedagogy,
on programs, on the profession and on careers.
'Writing Movies is the ultimate resource. It's like having twenty
of the best screenwriting books skilfully rolled into one. American
Screenwriters Association. 'You must read this book before you
write your first or next screenplay' Stuart Beattie, screenwriter
Pirates of the Caribbean. 'Everything you'd want from a book on
screenwriting.' Marc Madnick, President & CEO, Final Draft,
Inc. 'Straight, to-the-point, void of theory and loaded with facts
this book is a must read!' Dov S-S Simens, Founder, Hollywood Film
Institute and WebFilmSchool.com From America's leading creative
writing school, Writing Movies is practical, accessible and
entertaining. Inside you'll find: How to structure plot and develop
character; Insight into crucial (but seldom discussed) topics such
as description, voice, tone and theme; Analysis of five brilliant
screenplays - Die Hard, Thelma and Louise, Tootsie, Sideways and
The Shawshank Redemption; A guide to the screenwriting format;
Step-by-step tasks that take you from rough idea to polished
script; Strategies for breaking into the business.
Learning to write starts with learning to do one big thing: pay
attention to the world around you, even though just about
everything in modern life makes this more difficult than it needs
to be. Developing habits and practices of observing, and writing
down what you notice, can be the first step away from the anxieties
and doubts that can hold you back from your ultimate goal as a
writer: discovering something to say and a voice to say it in. The
Writer's Eye is an inspiring guide for writers at all stages of
their writing lives. Drawing on new research into creative writers
and their relationship with the physical world, Amy E. Weldon shows
us how to become more attentive observers of the world and find
inspiration in any environment. Including exercises, writing
prompts and sample texts and spanning multiple genres from novels
to nonfiction to poetry, this is the ideal starting point for
anyone beginning to write seriously and offers refreshing
perspectives for experienced writers seeking new inspiration.
This writing textbook bridges factual, critical, and expressive
modes of writing to help students develop a reflective sense of why
and how to write for university, professional, and public
audiences. Exploring the ways in which writing builds tools for
argument both in and beyond the university, it enables students to
break out of the dusty and formulaic patterns of writing that too
often threaten to render academic studies irrelevant. In a playful,
personal, essayistic style, it examines existing academic writing
methods and develops new modes of narrative-based expression rooted
in the humanities. Reflective analysis invites emerging writers to
self-consciously craft convincing and impassioned writing practices
using an expanded methodological toolbox. It aims to imbue academic
writing with the expressive potential of artistic research by
transforming existing methods of articulating analysis within a
broader expressive system, developing skills more typical of
creative writing, such as providing a setting, considering frame,
engaging emotions, expansion, and concision. If we believe in the
value of our thoughts, discoveries, and arguments, we must enable
them to sing. Loving Writing can be used as a textbook for advanced
or introductory college writing courses and provides innovative
guidance to liberal arts students seeking to develop their writing
abilities.
In this funny and perceptive collection, novelist and essayist
Robert Cohen shares his thoughts on the writing process and then
puts these prescriptions into practice-from how to rant effectively
as an essayist and novelist (The Piano has been Drinking), how to
achieve your own style, naming characters (and creating them), how
one manages one's own identity with being "a writer" in time and
space, to the use of reference and allusion in one's work. Cohen is
a deft weaver of allusion himself. In lieu of telling the reader
how to master the elements of writing fiction, he shows them
through the work of the writers who most influenced his own
development, including Roth, Ellison, Kafka, and Robinson. Rooted
in his own experiences, this collection of essays shows readers how
to use their influences and experiences to create bold, personal,
and individual work. While the first part of the book teaches
writing, the essays in the second part show how these elements come
together.
Learn to: * Craft a winning manuscript * Troubleshoot and edit your
work * Prepare your manuscript for publication * Find a good agent
to represent you * Negotiate the best possible deal Turn your
aspiration into reality with this completely updated guide If you
ve always wanted to write that great novel, but never knew where to
start, look no further! With a published author advising you on how
to write well and a literary agent providing insight into getting a
publishing deal, this updated guide gives you the inside track on
the art and science of breaking into the fiction-publishing
industry. Taking you step by step from concept to contract, this
book provides the tools you need to tell your story with skill and
approach agents and publishers with confidence. * Dive in check out
how to combine your natural talent with the writing techniques used
by successful authors * Establish a firm foundation construct your
basic story, plot and structure * Examine the key elements create
characters, develop dialogue, explore relationships and insert
conflict * Fine-tune and finish up discover tips on adding detail,
creativity and flair while bringing your work to a close * Get
published take the next step by weighing up your publishing
options, working with agents and negotiating deals * Find out more
check out additional advice, like the most common mistakes you need
to avoid, and tips from published authors Open the book and find: *
Tips for getting started * Creative ways to develop plots,
storylines, characters and dialogue * The seven basic stories and
how to put them to work * Tricks for crafting a great ending to
your novel * How to prepare your manuscript for editing and
publishing * The lowdown on the business side of publishing
This second edition of Writing for Animation, Comics, and Games
expounds on the previous edition with more information on how to
construct narratives for these three forms of visual storytelling
media. Christy Marx's book offers an in-depth look into
scriptwriting and how to break into each of the featured
industries. The text goes into detail on visual storytelling: how
to compose exterior storytelling (animation, games) and
interior/exterior storytelling (comics and graphic novels); as well
as considerations for non-linear videogames. The advice within
these pages can be used to build a transmedia career across
animation, comics, graphic novels, and videogames. Key Features An
insider's perspective on career rules of the road on writing for
comics, videogames, and animation Written for beginners and
professionals alike A nuts-and-bolts guide to script formats,
terminology, networking, and valuable advice on writing for each
medium Author Bio Based in Northern California, Christy Marx is an
award-winning writer, story editor, TV series developer, game
designer, and narrative designer. Her many credits include Babylon
5; Captain Power and Soldiers of the Future; The Twilight Zone;
G.I. Joe; Jem and the Holograms; Spider-Man; He-Man; X-Men
Evolution; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Conan the Adventurer;
Birds of Prey; Amethyst; The Sisterhood of Steel; Sierra On-Line
adventure games; PC, MMO, and console games; Zynga mobile games;
and more. For full credits, visit www.christymarx.com.
No more excuses. "Let the lawn get shaggy and the paint peel from
the walls," bestselling novelist Walter Mosley advises. Anyone can
write a novel now, and in this essential book of tips, practical
advice, and wisdom, Walter Mosley promises that the
writer-in-waiting can finish it in one year. Mosley tells how to:
- Create a daily writing regimen to fit any writer's needs--and how
to stick to it.
- Determine the narrative voice that's right for every writer's
style.
- Get past those first challenging sentences and into the heart of
a story. Intended as both inspiration and instruction, THIS YEAR
YOU WRITE YOUR NOVEL provides the tools to turn out a first draft
painlessly and then revise it into something finer.
A streamlined, step-by-step instructional approach provides
flexible lesson plans to help teachers plan and deliver their
lessons, with the option to use suggested extension activities as
needed. Includes best-practice routines and instructional support;
multi-level strategies to support students at different levels of
English proficiency; and optional extension activities for
vocabulary, literacy, listening, speaking, and writing
In "Bringing the Devil to His Knees: The Craft of Fiction and the
Writing Life, "seventeen award-winning writers--all expert
teachers--share the secrets of creating compelling, imaginative
stories and novels. A combination handbook, writer's companion, and
collection of spirited personal essays, the book is filled with
specific examples, hard-won wisdom, and compassionate guidance for
the developing or experienced fiction writer.
Each of the contributors is a current or former lecturer at the
Warren Wilson College MFA Program for Writers, one of the most
highly respected writing programs in the country. Included are
essays by Charles Baxter, Robert Boswell, Karen Brennan, Judith
Grossman, Ehud Havazelet, C. J. Hribal, Margot Livesey, Michael
Martone, Kevin McIlvoy, Pablo Medina, Antonya Nelson, Susan
Neville, Richard Russo, Steven Schwartz, Jim Shepard, Joan Silber,
Debra Spark, Peter Turchi, and Chuck Wachtel.
Rich with masterful examples and personal anecdotes, these
imaginative essays provide hard-earned insight into a writer's
work. The book will interest not only those seeking inspiration and
guidance to become stronger writers, but also readers of
contemporary literary fiction, who will find a number of surprising
and original approaches to the writer's work by award-winning
practitioners adept at teaching others what they know.
Charles Baxter is author of several novels, including "The Feast of
Love, Shadow Play," and "First Light. "and collections of stories
including "Believers" and "A Relative Stranger." He teaches writing
at the University of Michigan. Peter Turchi is author of the novel
"The Girls Next Door," a collection of stories, "Magician," and a
book of non-fiction, "The Pirate Prince." He is Director of the MFA
Program for Writers, Warren Wilson College.
From concept to finished draft–a nuts-and-bolts approach to adaptations Aspiring and established screenwriters everywhere, take note! This down-to-earth guide is the first to clearly articulate the craft of adaptation. Drawing on his own experience and on fourteen years of teaching, screenwriter Richard Krevolin presents his proven five-step process for adapting anything–from novels and short stories to newspaper articles and poems–into a screenplay. Used by thousands of novelists, playwrights, poets, and journalists around the country, this can’t-miss process features practical advice on how to break down a story into its essential components, as well as utilizes case studies of successful adaptations. Krevolin also provides an insider’s view of working and surviving within the Hollywood system–covering the legal issues, interviewing studio insiders on what they are looking for, and offering tips from established screenwriters who specialize in adaptations. - Outlines a series of stages that help you structure your story to fit the needs of a 120-page screenplay
- Explains how to adapt anything for Hollywood, from a single sentence story idea all the way to a thousand-page novel
- Advises on the tricky subject of just how faithful your adaptation should be
- Features helpful hints from Hollywood bigwigs–award-winning television writer Larry Brody; screenwriter and script reader Henry Jones; screenwriter and author Robin Russin; screenwriter and author Simon Rose; and more
Whether you're nurturing your first idea for a children's book or
have a published book or two under your belt, Judy K. Morris will
delight you, guide and inspire you, challenge and encourage you,
and improve your chances of reaching the ultimate goal of every
children's book author: your reader inside your story and your
story inside your reader. A published author of both fiction and
nonfiction for children, Morris draws on extensive experience
teaching children how to write and teaching adults how to write for
children. Here she combines concrete methods and step-by-step
techniques with succinct rules of thumb: work at making your novel
whole from the start; never underestimate the power of the plain
truth; personality quirks are no substitute for character; doing a
good job of writing usually means doing a good job of rewriting.
Using judiciously chosen examples from successful children's
literature, Writing Fiction for Children covers the building blocks
of plot, characters, and setting and addresses common problems such
as awkward plotting, oversimplifying, and taking a preachy or
self-conscious tone. Pragmatic exercises stimulate writers to scour
their experiences, sharpen their powers of observation, and capture
the details, voice, and narrative energy that can bring stories
vividly to life and keep readers submerged in make-believe. Loaded
with practical advice and helpful exercises, Writing Fiction for
Children is especially useful for anyone who aspires to write for
children in the "middle ages" of eight to twelve. Children's books
should be hopeful, thrilling, funny, interesting, touching, and a
pleasure to read, Morris says. Above all, they must have something
at stake that matters. While conceding that only the author can
provide the spark of a story to tell, Morris offers invaluable
guidance on the daily work of crafting, shaping, refining,
revising, and publishing a children's novel.
Read the beginning of a story-the rest is up to you! "After many
years of teaching writing, these amazing Totally Weird Activity
books will captivate even the most reluctant student! Filled with a
wide variety of topics and interests to get a story started, the
books will ignite a passion for the craft." -Laura Baker,
elementary school teacher and winner of the Presidential Award for
Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching "Super Stranger
Story Starters by T.M. Murphy, illus. by Mark Penta, [is] a
collection of story prompts kicking off the Totally Weird Activity
Books series." -Publishers Weekly, Fall 2022 Children's Sneak
Previews With 22 unique prompts plus colorful illustrations, this
creative writing book is ready to go in any direction you want.
Each story starter prompt includes space inside to write down and
explore ideas of what happens next. There is no wrong way to tell a
story, so find inspiration in the artwork details, throw in plot
twists, reveal secret desires, make happy endings (or not),
introduce new characters. . . the possibilities are endless! Part
of the Totally Weird Activity Book series created by childhood
friends Mark and Ted, Super Strange Story Starters is perfect for
aspiring writers, avid readers, and creative kids who have a story
to tell.
Writers are storytellers. The best of them have utilized the principles of myth to create masterful stories that are dramatic, entertaining and psychologically true. Based on the work of Joseph Campbell, this edition provides an insider's look at how writers (both fiction and non-fiction) can utilize mythic structure to create powerful narratives. Writers will discover step by step guidelines for structuring plots and creating realistic characters. This new 4th edition adds 30% new material.
This book cover the history of journalism as an institutionalized
form of discourse from the acta diurna in ancient Rome to the news
aggregators of the 21st century. It traces how journalism gradually
distinguished itself from chronicles, history, and the novel in
conjunction with the evolution of news media from news pamphlets,
newsletters, and newspapers through radio, film, and television to
multimedia digital news platforms like Google News. Historical
Dictionary of Journalism, Second Edition covers 46 countries, it
contains a chronology, an introduction, an extensive bibliography,
the dictionary section has more than 300 cross-referenced entries
on a wide array of topics such as African-American journalism, the
historiography of the field, the New Journalism, and women in
journalism. This book is an excellent resource for students,
researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about journalism.
Writing Talk includes interviews with nineteen well-known
contemporary writers, exploring the ways in which they research and
find their original ideas. Working across genres such as fiction,
scriptwriting, radio, life writing, biography and more, the writers
offer insight into how they interpret, hone and develop these
ideas. The conversations examine the roles of technique, craft,
language, reading, memory, serendipity, habit and persistence. They
offer technical detail about the creative process and give unique
insights into the borderlands between genres as well as offering
rich, personal insights and universal resonances. A wide-ranging
introduction surveys the reasons why we are intrigued by the
mysteries of individual writing practice and how these illuminate
critical attitudes to literature and performance. Offering a rare
glimpse into the creative process of some of this generation's most
eminent voices, Writing Talk is a must read for anyone interested
in how stories are found and made. Interviewees: Alan Ayckbourn,
Iain Banks, Helen Blakeman, Louis de Bernieres, Sarah Butler,
Andrew Cowan, Jenny Diski, Patricia Duncker, David Edgar, Tanika
Gupta, Richard Holmes, Hanif Kureishi, Bryony Lavery, Toby Litt,
Kareem Mortimer, Michele Roberts, Jane Rogers, Willy Russell and
Sally Wainwright.
Lyric essayists draw on memoir, poetry, and prose to push against
the arbitrary genre restrictions in creative nonfiction, opening up
space not only for new forms of writing, but also new voices and a
new literary canon. This anthology features some of the best lyric
essays published in the last several years by prominent and
emerging writers. Editors Zoe Bossiere and Erica Trabold situate
this anthology within the ongoing work of resistance-to genre
convention, literary tradition, and the confines of
dominant-culture spaces. As sites of resistance, these essays are
diverse and include investigations into deeply personal and
political topics such as queer and trans identity, the American
BIPOC experience, reproductive justice, belonging, grief, and more.
The lyric essay is always surprising; it is bold, unbound, and
free. This collection highlights the lyric essay's natural capacity
for representation and resistance and celebrates the form as a
subversive genre that offers a mode of expression for marginalized
voices. The Lyric Essay as Resistance features contemporary work by
essayists including Melissa Febos, Wendy S. Walters, Torrey Peters,
Jenny Boully, Crystal Wilkinson, Elissa Washuta, Lillian-Yvonne
Bertram, and many more. Their work demonstrates the power of the
lyric essay to bring about change, both on the page and in our
communities.
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