Creative Writing

An action-packed urban fantasy adventure set on the islands of Hawaii! I'm Marcus Aries, and as the duly-appointed guardian of the Hawaiian Islands, I’ve had my share of bad run-ins with the world of the supernatural. I’ve taken on demonic frogs, island witches, lightning wolves, and even battled before the famed night marchers. But not every run-in is a life-and-death struggle that threatens to leave the island in ruins. Step back into the world of Hawaiian urban fantasy with this collection of short stories from author Justin Herzog, starring fan-favorite hero Marcus Aries as he and ...

This Scene Revision Manual Can Take Your Writing Skills to the Next Level and Make the Editing Process Fun! Every writer knows that scenes are the building blocks of every great story. Revision should be fun and never overwhelming. Many of us have written a scene and felt as though it was lacking something. Or perhaps you wrote an entire novel, but want to know how to make it shine. This scene revision workbook can improve anyone's writing and works for every genre to ensure that every scene is stronger, purposeful, and impactful. Using this self-editing guide for writers on my own ...

Slip into the extraordinary world of Mr. Joe, where words transcend the page, weaving together memories, dreams, and the relentless pursuit of understanding life’s deepest mysteries. This book is more than just a collection of stories; it’s a journey through time, identity, and the very essence of what it means to be human. With a blend of flash fiction, lyric essays, character sketches, and monologues, Joseph Santiago explores the intricate dance between reality and imagination, leaving readers with a sense of connection that resonates long after the last page is turned. Whether ...

Behind every acclaimed work of literature is a trove of heartfelt decisions. The best authors put painstaking - sometimes obsessive - effort into each element of their stories, from plot and character development to dialogue and point of view. Veteran editor and teacher Richard Cohen draws on his vast reservoir of a lifetime's reading and his insight into what makes good prose soar.

Prolific author and story coach Jessica Brody presents a comprehensive story structure guide for anyone who wants to write a young adult novel by applying the famed Save the Cat! screenwriting methodology to the world of YA fiction. Filled with practical advice, easy-to-follow templates, and "beat sheets" analyzing the structure of popular young adult novels such as Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows, John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, and Lois Lowry's The Giver, this book is the ultimate reference for anyone who's ever dreamed of writing their own young adult bestseller.

What if, instead of hitting the snooze button, you started your day with energy, vision, success, and the Spirit? Do you feel stuck in life? Do you wake up in the morning and wish that you didn't have to do anything? Or, do you hit the snooze button time and time again? Every day about 38% of all people hit the snooze button, and every day about 80% of smartphone users hop on social media within 15 minutes of waking up. Are your mornings like this? Instead of snoozing or wasting your life thinking about other peoples' lives and problems, what if you devoted that time to growing yourself and...

Ready to build a poem? First, you’ll need the right tools. Open this title in the Writer’s Toolbox series and discover plenty of tips and tools to get you started. Soon you’ll be writing rhythms and rhymes like a pro!

In this modern classic, Annette Simmons reminds us that the oldest tool of influence is also the most powerful. Fully revised and updated to account for new technology and social media, along with two new chapters on the role of stories in the development of civilization and how to adjust your story to your specific goal, Simmons showcases over 100 examples of effective storytelling drawn from the front lines of business and government, as well as myths, fables, and parables from around the world.

When Pauline Piper reads in the local paper that her old schoolmate Marjorie has published a book and is going to sign copies of it in the local library, she suddenly remembers that she has always wanted to write one. Despite her admission that she has never been able to express herself very well in words, she enlists the help of her patient husband John, a great reader, unlike herself, and begins to pen her very first novel.In her candid account of the ups and downs of authorship, Pauline steers us ably through the process of writing her first work, from its inception to publication day ...

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.

The essays in this collection are the work of a group of friends known as the Northwoods Essayists: The Write People. The name comes from a very special place where we first met each other, the Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church in The Woodlands, Texas. The group began in 2020, and its membership has evolved over time. Our current members include Hallie Moore, Mira Dessy, Dorothy Kennedy, John Hammond, and Ann McAlpin. Our friend and fellow writer Sharon Ossowski passed away while this book was in progress. We know you’ll be delighted by her wonderful essays in this collection. Our ...

CREATIVE CAREERS There are many talented artists (of all kinds) out there, but few who are able to turn that talent into tangible income. This book helps creative people find the path to prosperity through using their creativity to come up with ways to earn a living doing what they love. Whether you are an actor, artist, musician, magician, chef, designer, photographer—or any other creative type—this book provides the blueprint to building a solid career out of your passion. You will discover how to get from where you are (student, struggling, deciding to change careers, dealing with ...

Every writer knows that as rewarding as the creative process is, it can often be a bumpy road. Have hope and keep at it! Designed to kick-start creativity, this audio handbook from the executive director of National Novel Writing Month gathers a wide range of insights and advice for writers at any stage of their career. From tips about how to finally start that story, to helpful ideas about what to do when the words just aren't quite coming out right, Pep Talks for Writers provides motivation, encouragement, and helpful exercises for writers of all stripes.

"Come along on the trail with Jerry Ellis. You'll love every step of it."—Tony Hillerman (Tony Hillerman) "Jerry Ellis is an ideal companion for a long ramble along the back roads of America. . . . He introduces us to a collection of characters—some of them welcoming, some of them weird—that are too vivid for mere fiction."—Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles Times) "Ellis, like his Cherokee ancestors, treasures a good story. He writes lucidly, simply, about the people he met and the stories he was told. . . . He walked to discover himself and his ancestors; he came back with stories and...

Created by Board-Certified Positive Psychology & Mindfulness Coach Danielle Palli, this book is a guide filled with weekly exercises and journaling prompts designed to help people tap into their inner strength. Using her training and studies in emotional intelligence, personality types, and cognitive behavior theory, Palli invites participants to complete one assignment per week centered on building personal power, finding purpose, discovering strengths, and living within one’s values to create a life of joy and fulfillment. Note: This is the abridged, e-book version of the full-length ...

A fast-paced supernatural thrill ride filled with demonic villains set in the heart of South Florida! My name is Patrick Bannon, and I'm a demonologist. Unfortunately, when you mingle with the demonic, you’re bound to make some mistakes along the way. Now I’m paying for my sins. Jenaveve, the Veelah succubus who also happens to be my ex-girlfriend, has me investigating a series of murders. Looks like there’s a new player in town, and they’ve chosen Miami for their home. To make matters worse, Tiberius, the demon responsible for my brother’s suicide, is riding shotgun in my body, ...

There are times when our inspiration needs a boost and all it takes to rev it up is something basic or obvious that we haven't thought of for a while. A simple idea can spark a story or poem, a song, sculpture, painting or design, a recipe, podcast and more. Inside this book you'll find topics and examples to help ignite your creativity. Also included are writing prompts to get the gears turning. While they may appear customized for writers and poets, they're for everyone with an artistic flare. Behind every work of art (written or otherwise) is a story. Use these prompts yourself. Share ...

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.

Want to self-publish your book but don't know where to start? Worried it's too complex or you don't have the right skills? This updated and expanded Fourth edition of Successful Self-Publishing provides everything you need to successfully self-publish your book in ebook, print, and audio formats, plus proven marketing strategies to reach more readers/listeners. Written by award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Joanna (J.F.) Penn, this practical guide shares the exact methods used to publish more than forty books and build a multi-six-figure author business.

CONGRATULATIONS , you are finally going to write your book! You have moved from planning to write a book, to actually writing one. It’s your goal to write a short book with clear benefits to the reader. But this isn’t your first attempt, is it? Maybe you have written your book a hundred times before and never finished because somewhere along the way, you end up stuck or hating your work. In other words, you lose the initial momentum and excitement you had for writing the thing. How to author and self-publish a book are questions that burn in your soul. Burn, baby burn. People who know ...