Creative Fiction Writing

Unlock the Secrets of Fear. Master the Mechanics of Dread. Whether you’re crafting a pulse-pounding thriller or slow-burning supernatural horror, Writing Suspense and Horror is your complete guide to gripping your reader—and never letting go. This comprehensive handbook takes you deep into the psychology of fear and the structure of tension. Learn how to create unforgettable characters, build dread scene by scene, and design plots that twist, tighten, and terrify. From atmospheric worldbuilding to heart-stopping finales, this book covers everything from genre history to hands-on craft. ...

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...

Robert Olen Butler, author of Perfume River, A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain, and A Small Hotel, teaches graduate fiction at Florida State University—his version of literary boot camp. In From Where You Dream, Butler reimagines the process of writing as emotional rather than intellectual and tells writers how to achieve the dream space necessary for composing honest, inspired fiction.

Ever gone through something and said, “I could write a book about this!”? Well, with a good plan, you can! You might have an interest in creative writing or have started some rough drafts but can’t seem to take it to the next level. Wherever you are on your journey, education is crucial. But where to start? Just as every great meal starts with a recipe, every epic novel begins with an epic outline. Doesn’t an outline pour water on that spark of creativity? That’s what you may have heard…until now!

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 ...

HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A WRITER? Do you have a book in your head, but you don’t know where to start? Learn how to generate story ideas, create structure and setting, and bring unforgettable characters to life with the helpful strategies in The Write Formula. Now you can take your idea from concept to completion and become the author you’ve always wanted to be. “David’s thoughtful and incisive editing work, including deep thematic and structural guidance lifted my manuscript from a teetering new draft to a polished, well-developed one. David is the perfect editor who lasers in ...

Compelling characters are what keeps readers turning pages and buying books—from fantasies to mysteries to the great literary novel. But how to do you create characters that feel three-dimensional and real on the page? Counsellor and author Eileen Cook shares common psychological techniques to help you build your characters and take your story to the next level. This book covers understanding your character's backstory and how it impacts their choices in your book by doing a structured counselling interview, personality structure, and the Stages of Change.

The Little Book of Muses invites the reader to embark on a fantastical journey to discover the beauty of the written word. Within its pages is a collection of poetic, whimsical sayings with words entwined to serenade the logophile, invoke a storyteller’s soul, and warm the writer’s spirit. From elegant phrases, humorous expressions to thought-provoking reflections, this is a delightful book to sip tea, ponder, and dip in and out of often for a generous dose of literary inspiration. The book is also available in Spanish and Italian

Does the idea of creative writing excite you, but you don’t know where to begin?Whether you dream of writing a story, a collection of poetry, or a legacy piece to pass down to future generations, this guide is essential for your loved one. Unlock their creative potential with this inspiring and accessible guide from the initial spark of an idea to the final polished manuscript. The Page Turners Presents: A Guide to Writing is tailored specifically for men and women in prison who have limited resources. In this guide, they will discover fundamental principles for understanding the parts of...

When Ripley fabricates a boyfriend to put off her family's overzealous matchmaking efforts, she never thought it would go so far. But when she gets pulled over for speeding, the police officer gets caught up in her fake boyfriend scheme. Cash has good reasons for swearing off the holidays and relationships. But his plans to spend Christmas alone are thwarted when he's mistaken for an event planner he secretly admired from afar. The time spent with Ripley and her family starts to thaw his frozen heart.

This Scene Revision and Plotting Guidebook Can Take Your Writing Skills to the Next Level! This isn't just a writing manual; it's a blueprint for writing narratives that resonate deeply with readers and sell. Elevate your writing to new heights with this definitive guidebook, crafted to fuse the simple techniques in crafting stronger beginnings, creating dramatic scenes, and developing lifelike characters. Packed with easy-to-follow instructions and invaluable advice for building a comprehensive storyline, including extensive character creation templates and tools for creating a page-...

Vanessa Wye was 15 years old when she first had sex with her English teacher. She is now 32 and the teacher, Jacob Strane, has just been accused of sexual abuse by another former student of his. Vanessa is horrified by this news, because she is quite certain that the relationship she had with Strane wasn’t abuse. It was love. She’s sure of that. But now, in 2017, in the midst of allegations against powerful men, she is being asked to redefine the great love story of her life - her great sexual awakening - as rape.

There’s nothing like a well-crafted, guided story starter to put a stop to that dreaded empty computer screen! Story Prompts That Work includes enough detailed prompts to write a story a week for an entire year (and then go back and use the prompts again the next year). Each prompt has enough options and examples that they’ll work well for just about anyone. Carly Berg is a freelance writer who’s also been both an editor and a teacher, so she’s got you covered on this one. Other Books by Carly Berg: Writing Flash Fiction: How To Write Very Short Stories and Get Them Published (Then ...

Poetry is more than rhyming words on a page. A poem is crafted by carefully selecting each word and rhythm. But how does a poet get started? Finding inspiration is as easy as looking at a picture.

The Complete Art of World Building brings together volumes one through three in The Art of World Building series. This how-to guide will make listeners a master of inventing imaginary worlds and help a setting stand out from the multitude of fantasy and SF worlds audiences see.

If you're aiming to win a flash fiction competition, you probably know how hard it is to write a compelling story in 500 words. The challenge of flash fiction lies not in the number of words, but the emotion and originality of the tale you can tell with these few words. Participating in competitions, with entry fees as low as $5 and prizes up to $1,000, isn't about luck; it's about skill and creativity. As a judge, I've seen over a thousand submissions, most of them perfectly polished. So choosing a winner is extremely hard, though the best often stand out on first reading and stay with you...

Imagine writing an enthralling story set in a futuristic world, featuring advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and intergalactic travel. A story that not only captivates audiences but also brings you joy during the creative process.

Do you want to write your own life story but don't know how to turn real events into fiction? Now with updated writing advice! This inspirational guide shows you in 10 easy steps the creative process of how to turn your life into a novel. Helena goes through the writing process when using your own life experiences as a basis for a story. Write Your Story shows you how to: Research your own life Find the right genre for your life story Create an engaging plot and story arc Shape strong characters out of ‘real’ people Use dynamic dialogue Stop worrying about what people might think of ...

Ignite Your Imagination with 200 Days of Gothic: Writing Prompts for gothic, dark romance, cosmic horror and paranormal storytelling! Unleash your inner storyteller with 200 Days of Gothic: Writing Prompts! Perfectly crafted for writers, enthusiasts, and dark fiction lovers alike, this book is your ultimate guide to conjuring up tales that will haunt your readers after the sun comes up. Dive into a treasure trove of eerie, twisted, strange and enchanting prompts designed to spark creativity and bring your most spine-chilling ideas to life. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting ...

Unlock your storytelling potential with Story Ideas Unleashed!, the essential guide to creating captivating and original story ideas. This book is packed with extensive examples, easy-to-follow templates, and powerful generative AI prompts. It will take you step-by-step through the process of developing story ideas from the first raw thought to a polished story concept. Whether you’re new to fiction writing or a seasoned storyteller seeking fresh inspiration, Story Ideas Unleashed! will help you create powerful, imaginative story concepts that connect with audiences. The techniques and ...