Patricia Highsmith, author of Strangers On a Train, The Talented Mr.Ripley, Found In The Street, and many other books, is known as one of the finest suspense novelists. In this book, she analyzes the key elements of suspense fiction, drawing upon her own experience in four decades as a working writer. She talks about, among other topics; how to develop a complete story from an idea; what makes a plot gripping; the use (and abuse) of coincidence; characterization and the "likeable criminal"; going from first draft to final draft; and writing the suspense short story.
Throughout the book, Highsmith illustrates her points with plentiful examples from her own work, and by discussing her own inspirations, false starts, dead ends, successes, and failures, she presents a lively and highly readable picture of the novelist at work.

Anyone who wishes to write crime and suspense fiction, or who enjoys reading it, will find this book an insightful guide to the craft and art of a modern master.

In this innovative fusion of practice and criticism, Jeremy Scott shows how insights from stylistics and linguistics can enrich the craft of creative writing. Focusing on crucial methodological issues that confront the practicing writer, this book introduces writers to key topics from stylistics, provides in-depth analysis of a wide range of writing examples and includes practical exercises to help develop creative writing skills. Thoroughly revised and expanded throughout, this updated edition more clearly lays out specialist ideas and technical terms within the field of linguistics, and features both greater focus on the creative process and more practical exercises to help writers engage with ideas in their work. Clear and accessible, this invaluable guide will give both students and writers a greater critical awareness of the creative possibilities of language.

Take a walk on any of the South African university campuses and you will hear the air resonating with the sounds of different languages seamlessly interweaving with each other as students engage in academic work, talk, laughter and play. In 2012 this inspired the University of KwaZulu-Natal Language Board, in partnership with Independent Newspapers, to hold a first-of-its-kind isiZulu-English writing competition. By issuing an invitation to write in an African Language in a way that captures our changing world, it hoped to stimulate 'border crossings' and by so doing, encourage reading and writing in African languages. The panel of expert judges comprised internationally renowned storyteller Dr Gcina Mhlophe, Dr Nakanjani Sibiya, Prof Otty Nxumalo and Dr Gugu Mazibuko. They were overwhelmed by the high standard of the entries, which highlighted the value and power of indigenous languages as a source and expression of identity and pride. The purpose of the competition and of this book is thus to promote bilingualism and, in particular, the development of isiZulu, with the aim of contributing to literature in that language. This collection of short stories, essays and poetry is the result. We hope that readers will read it with the same degree of interest and enjoyment that the judges found in it - and that it will highlight the importance of creating spaces for people to express themselves creatively in their mother tongue, rather than in English alone.

The home of trusted English dictionaries and thesauruses for everyday language use. The perfect word reference to broaden your knowledge of English, ideal for everyday use, at home, in the office or at school. Matching dictionary and thesaurus entries are shown together for easy reference, with synonyms clearly shown in shaded boxes. Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus combines a comprehensive dictionary with all the alternatives and opposites you need on the same page. The book is designed for easy use, with alphabet thumb tabs on every page and all entry words highlighted in bold type. This layout means that you can be sure to find all the information you need in the quickest time possible.

Suspend your disbelief--you can make it as a screenwriter Behind every blockbuster film and binge-worthy show, there's a screenwriter--and that writer could be you! Turn your brainstorming sessions into dynamic scripts with the help of Screenwriting For Dummies. Create believable worlds with relatable characters, gripping dialogue, and narrative structures that will keep even the showbiz bigwigs on the edge of their seats. Once you've polished your product, it's time to bring it to market. This book is full of advice that will help you get eyes on your screenplays so you can sell your work and find success as a screenwriter. From web series to movie musicals to feature films, this book shows you how to develop and hone your craft. Learn to think like a screenwriter and turn story ideas into visually driven, relatable scripts that will get noticed Study the elements of a story, like plot structure (beginning, middle, and end) and characterization (wait, who's that, again?) Hop over the hurdle of writer's block, and tackle other obstacles that stand in the way of your scriptwriting career Get insider insight into finding an agent and meeting with studio execs, plus alternative markets for your finished work This updated edition covers the latest trends and opportunities--and there are lots of them--for today's writers. Let Dummies help you map out your story and put your script on the road to production. Thank us when your work goes viral!

This book explains the functions and correct uses of 21 of the most used punctuation marks like the apostrophe, brackets, semicolon, dashes, and also some you may not know about like guillemets, forward slash, or the interpunct. The book is humorous, fully illustrated using real life scenarios with stylish cartoons, and is for a wide age range (young to aging) and intelligence (emerging to expert). Written in down-to-earth easy to understand language, this book is ideal for young people learning to read and write, and reluctant teenage readers. It is also for professional editors and writers, or anyone with an interest in writing, language, grammar and punctuation. It makes an ideal gift, birthday present or special occasion gesture. If you have an interest in punctuation or would like to know more about punctuation, then this book is for you!

Bag the perfect GCSE dictionary this Back to School. The perfect dictionary reference with 200,000 words and phrases for daily use. Language usage notes help you choose the right word and the easy-to-use layout allows you to find what you're looking for quickly and easily. Specially tailored to meet your needs at home, school, and in the office, offering comprehensive definitions and word tips to provide help with English usage. You will find all the words and definitions you need, with comprehensive coverage of the language we use every day. It also contains the latest words to enter the language. The clear layout ensures you can find the words you need quickly. This edition contains an invaluable supplement on the most common mistakes and controversial issues in English.

IF YOU'RE TIRED OF REJECTION, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU.

Whether you are a novice writer or a veteran who has already had your work published, rejection is often a frustrating reality. Literary agents and editors receive and reject hundreds of manuscripts each month. While it's the job of these publishing professionals to be discriminating, it's the job of the writer to produce a manuscript that immediately stands out among the vast competition. And those outstanding qualities, says New York literary agent Noah Lukeman, have to be apparent from the first five pages.

The First Five Pages reveals the necessary elements of good writing, whether it be fiction, nonfiction, journalism, or poetry, and points out errors to be avoided, such as

* A weak opening hook
* Overuse of adjectives and adverbs
* Flat or forced metaphors or similes
* Melodramatic, commonplace or confusing dialogue
* Undeveloped characterizations and lifeless settings
* Uneven pacing and lack of progression

With exercises at the end of each chapter, this invaluable reference will allow novelists, journalists, poets and screenwriters alike to improve their technique as they learn to eliminate even the most subtle mistakes that are cause for rejection. The First Five Pages will help writers at every stage take their art to a higher -- and more successful -- level.

Have you ever wanted to write a novel or short story but didn't know where to start? If so, this is the book for you. It's the book for anyone, in fact, who wants to write to their full potential. Practical and jargon-free, rejecting prescriptive templates and formulae, it's a storehouse of ideas and advice on a range of relevant subjects, from boosting self-motivation and confidence to approaching agents and publishers. Drawing on the authors' extensive experience as successful writers and inspiring teachers, it will guide you through such essentials as the interplay of memory and imagination; plotting your story; the creation of convincing characters; the uses of description; the pleasures and pitfalls of research; and the editing process. The book's primary aim is simple: to help its readers to become better writers.

Used and loved by millions of students for its lively and practical advice, this is the book that demystifies academic writing and shows how to engage with the views of others. Extensively revised in response to feedback from our community of adopters, this edition of "They Say / I Say" is an even more practical companion for students, featuring a new chapter on research, new exercises, expanded support for reading and an expanded chapter on Revising.

Bob Dylan has helped transform music, literature, pop culture, and even politics. The World of Bob Dylan chronicles a lifetime of creative invention that has made a global impact. Leading rock and pop critics and music scholars address themes and topics central to Dylan's life and work: the Blues, his religious faith, Civil Rights, Gender, Race, and American and World literature. Incorporating a rich array of new archival material from never before accessed archives, The World of Bob Dylan offers a comprehensive, uniquely informed and wholly fresh account of the songwriter, artist, filmmaker, and Nobel Laureate whose unique voice has permanently reshaped our cultural landscape.

The world is an amazing place. Get up close with Look, a seven-level series for young learners of English. See something real with amazing photography, authentic stories and video, and inspiring National Geographic Explorers. Help learners make connections in English between their lives and the world they live in through high-interest, global topics that encourage them to learn and express themselves. With short, fresh lessons that excite students and make teaching a joy, Look gives young learners the core language, balanced skills foundation and confidence-boosting exam support they need to use English successfully in the 21st century.

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Long before there were creative-writing workshops and degrees, how did aspiring writers learn to write? By reading the work of their predecessors and contemporaries, says Francine Prose.

In "Reading Like a Writer," Prose invites you to sit by her side and take a guided tour of the tools and the tricks of the masters. She reads the work of the very best writers&#8212Dostoyevsky, Flaubert, Kafka, Austen, Dickens, Woolf, Chekhov&#8212and discovers why their work has endured. She takes pleasure in the long and magnificent sentences of Philip Roth and the breathtaking paragraphs of Isaac Babel; she is deeply moved by the brilliant characterization in George Eliot's "Middlemarch." She looks to John Le Carre for a lesson in how to advance plot through dialogue, to Flannery O'Connor for the cunning use of the telling detail, and to James Joyce and Katherine Mansfield for clever examples of how to employ gesture to create character. She cautions readers to slow down and pay attention to words, the raw material out of which literature is crafted.

Written with passion, humor, and wisdom, "Reading Like a Writer" will inspire readers to return to literature with a fresh eye and an eager heart.

Jane Austen's Little Book of Wisdom offers more than 300 bite-size quotes of inspiration and wisdom from one of the greatest females writers in the English language. Jane Austen is one of the most celebrated female writers in history, best known for her novels about love, life, friendship and faith, all set upon the backdrop of English Georgian society. Here, in one concise volume, are over 300 quotes from her famous works - from Pride and Prejudice to Emma - and from her personal letters. With each chapter focussing on a different theme - from Love & Longing to Female Strength - this gorgeous gift book is the perfect compilation of witty, moving, and thought-provoking words from one of the best-loved writers of the 19th century. A perfect addition to this 'Little Book' series, Jane Austen's Little Book of Wisdom follows on from, C.S. Lewis's Little Book of Wisdom and Shakespeare's Little Book of Wisdom.

Learn your world. Achieve more with Our World, Second Edition, a best-selling seven-level series for young learners of English. Experience more of the real world with content that motivates learners to use English, including surprising photography, meaningful stories and readings, immersive video, and incredible National Geographic Explorers. Learn more about the world through cross-curricular topics that challenge learners and deepen their understanding of the world in English. Help learners achieve more through collaborative projects, extensive critical thinking and visual literacy work, and activities that inspire meaningful thinking and sharing. Our World truly brings the world into the classroom and improves learning outcomes, motivating learners to use English to show the world what they can do - and achieve more.