Creative Writing

Steve Almond shares the insights gleaned from three decades as a beloved teacher and mentor, and a considerably less-beloved literary rabble rouser. His tone is irreverent. His ideas are iconoclastic. And his approach is stubbornly, radically, empathic. The goal is to explode the well-meaning but misguided myths that hold us back from writing our deepest and most honest work, to awaken the joys of storytelling while also confronting how grueling the process can be.

So you want to write an engaging scene, do you? This book was written with one main purpose: to help give authors a creative boost in their scene writing and toss writers' block into the oblivion of the abyss. In order to accomplish this, each chapter is written in a workbook-like format so that the steps provided can easily be implemented after they are explained. For each element of scene writing that is presented, J.A. Cox explains the How, Why, and When of its use along with his own description so that the information is easy to assimilate. He provides copious examples from his own ...

What good will it do to skillfully craft a written argument if you lose your audience? Simple emails, formal reports, blogs, presentations, articles—they need punch to gain influence. Clear structure and logic alone won’t do. To engage readers, you need to make mentally stimulating choices in language—choices that electrify your readers’ mental hotspots. Veteran journalist Bill Birchard reveals the secret of making that happen. He blends the findings from a global cadre of psychologists and neuroscientists with lessons from his long, successful career as a professional writer.

They say writing is rewriting. So why does the second part get such short shrift? Refuse to Be Done will guide you through every step of the novel writing process, from getting started on those first pages to the last tips for making your final draft even tighter and stronger.

Dive into the captivating world of "Poetry Unleashed" and embark on a transformative journey through the mesmerizing power of words. This enchanting anthology invites readers to experience the raw emotions, evocative imagery, and profound insights found within the artistry of poetry. Within the pages of "Poetry Unleashed," you will discover a diverse collection of poems that explore the depth and breadth of the human experience. From the bittersweet melodies of love and heartbreak to the triumphant verses of resilience and self-discovery, each poem unveils a new facet of our shared humanity...

“Far From Mars” contains nine creative nonfiction articles about individuals who live and work in Champaign-Urbana, two adjoining towns in east central Illinois. The pieces range from dog walkers who adore their Greyhounds to a cassette collector who hosts a local radio show and plays on-air music via the tapes he buys. Readers will also meet an established chef who is now part owner of a new restaurant, a recovered alcoholic turned antique collector, and a musician who performs solo despite a lingering cold that will alter his performance. The book concludes with an award-winning ...

Are you tired of writing intermittently? Would you like to install a lifelong writing habit, one that gets your butt in the chair every single day? Then this is the book for you. Lifelong Writing Habit draws on well-tested neuroscience to help you install a daily writing habit that will endure for life. It contains a simple-to-understand system, with actionable steps at the end of every chapter.

Writing: A Spiritual Voice is not a technical book. Of those, there are many wonderful ones. It’s about tuning into the writer’s spiritual voice and the unique ways our writing develops because of listening and responding to the Divine. If you are a spiritual seeker and a writer, you will want to use your writing in the same way we use everything to align and expand our spiritual being. Writing is a long-term career. It takes time, money, perseverance, openness to learning, and passion. Making a mark as a writer usually accelerates slowly. Keep going. Keep giving. Remain true. Trust ...

It's every novelist's greatest fear: pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into writing hundreds of pages only to realize that their story has no sense of urgency, no internal logic, and so is a page-one rewrite. The prevailing wisdom in the writing community is that there are just two ways around this problem: pantsing (winging it) and plotting (focusing on the external plot).

The Mindful Creative Writing Teacher: A Toolkit for Creativity and Wellbeing is the essential companion for anyone teaching creative writing in today’s world. Francis Gilbert, bestselling author of I’m A Teacher, Get Me Out of Here! (Short Books), blends mindfulness, pedagogy, and social transformation in a pioneering approach to creative writing education. Inside, you’ll find: Research-informed strategies for building safe, inclusive, creative classrooms Mindful methods for feedback, assessment, and the art of redrafting Tools for decolonising the creative writing curriculum Ways to ...

Learning how to use narrative devices is the ultimate hack for writing interesting stories What narrative techniques help to surprise and interest the viewer? How can we unblock a plot that does not flow? How do you create suspense when the audience has already seen it all? How do resources such as Flebotinum, Rabbit Hole, or Red Herring work? Since humans emerged from caves, they have learned to tell stories to communicate and evoke emotions in others. While some do it monotonously, others manage to capture the attention of their audience and hold their interest until the end. How do they ...

The Story Grid is a tool developed by editor Shawn Coyne to analyze stories and provide helpful editorial comments. It's like a CT Scan that takes a photo of the global story and tells the editor or writer what is working, what is not, and what must be done to make what works better and fix what's not. The Story Grid breaks down the component parts of stories to identify the problems. And finding the problems in a story is almost as difficult as the writing of the story itself (maybe even more difficult).

Unleash your creativity with the ultimate fusion of storytelling and AI. The Writer’s AI Toolkit is your hands-on guide to turning ideas into impactful stories, poems, essays, and even marketing copy—with the help of powerful, thoughtfully crafted prompts. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist, a curious poet, a content creator, or just someone staring at a blank page hoping for a spark—this book hands you the keys to unlock AI’s creative potential. Inside, you’ll discover genre-specific prompts, insightful tips on how to talk to AI like a creative partner, and strategies to ...

Too often, companies and individuals assume that creativity and innovation are the domain of the "creative types." But two of the leading experts in innovation, design, and creativity on the planet show us that each and every one of us is creative. In an incredibly entertaining and inspiring narrative that draws on countless stories from their work at IDEO, the Stanford d.school, and with many of the world's top companies, David and Tom Kelley identify the principles and strategies that will allow us to tap into our creative potential.

From Dani Shapiro, best-selling author of Devotion and Slow Motion, comes a witty, heartfelt, and practical look at the exhilarating and challenging process of storytelling. At once a memoir, a meditation on the artistic process, and advice on craft, Still Writing is an intimate companion to living a creative life. Writers - and anyone with an artistic temperament - will find inspiration and comfort here.

2022 Updated Second Edition! 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 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 guide includes a Thesaurus with inspiring word choices! Writers will learn to: Revise Shallow Writing Deepen Characterization Craft ...

Are you ready to embark on a journey into the world of romance fiction? Dive into "From Pen to Passion," where the art of crafting captivating love stories awaits. In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover the keys to unlocking the secrets of the romance genre. Whether you're a budding writer or a seasoned author, this book is your passport to creating heartwarming and emotionally resonant tales of love, desire, and connection. What You'll Find Inside: Crafting Unforgettable Characters: Learn how to breathe life into your heroes and heroines, making them relatable, multi-dimensional, and...

You don't have to be an expert to write a novel—you just need imagination (and an AI assistant)! AI + Imagination is your step-by-step guide to turning story ideas into finished books, using the power of artificial intelligence as your writing sidekick. Learn how to brainstorm, outline, draft, and edit while keeping your story your own. Perfect for beginners and young writers, this guide shows you how to: Grow your story like a snowflake—one layer at a time Use AI for brainstorming, beats, and plot twists Create characters, worlds, and action-packed chapters Stay in control of your ...

Does your child have big ideas but struggles to put them into words? ✨ Story Writing Kit for Kids Ages 8-12 is the ultimate guide to turning daydreams into dazzling stories. 🖊️ With easy-to-follow steps, creative prompts, and relatable examples, this book helps kids take their wildest ideas and shape them into stories they can be proud of. 🌟 Why Your Child Will Love It We know how tricky writing can feel for kids. That’s why this book is designed to make the process fun, clear, and exciting. 🎉 Whether it’s a magical adventure or a thrilling mystery, kids will learn how to ...

)Aspiring writers often dream of completing a novel, but only a small percentage ever see it through to the end. After years of running successful writing workshops and navigating her own path to both traditional and self-publishing, Jo distils her tips and tricks in a practical no-nonsense step-by-step approach to novel writing. Find out for yourself how to make novel writing less daunting and more achievable this year. Whether you're stuck on chapter one or stalled midway through your book, this guide will help you go from procrastination to publication within 90 days.