The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creative Writing (Complete Idiot's Guide to)

Rating:
Summary: Nice resource for beginning writers
Review: As someone who is thinking of writing both fiction and non-fiction, I found this book to have lots of good information about how and where to start writing. From writing fiction, non-fiction, poetry, screenplays and the like, the author offers a lot of good information. I'm also a technical writer and one thing that is stressed there is the need for brevity. Well the author also stresses that for good prose, you also need brevity in writing. Keep it simple in other words. There are also "charts" to use in writing a fictional piece, be it novel or short story. From characters, main and minor to settings to conflicts to resolution. The author also stresses the use of outlines when writing fiction. Again just like what technical writers do when they start writing a manual of some kind.

There's also a chapter about writing biographies and autobiographies, with tips on the information you need to gather before you start in on one. And a chapter on writing text and reference books. I had no idea there was a need for books like these. And too another important point the author stresses is the need to decide the audience you are writing for. Still another parallel to the technical writing world, where determining your audience beforehand is a crucial part of the process.

The book's last few chapters could be called the most important, because they deal with selling your work, from fiction and poetry to nonfiction. There's a chapter about literary agents, and whether or not you need one. Also one on legal contracts and fees, and ways to find out about writing contests and getting government grants for your writing work.

Finally, the book talks about editors which at times I've felt were a "necessary evil" to writing. As great as you think your work is (including this review), it can always be improved upon by a good editor. Finally, there's a chapter on overcoming writer's block. This is a good thing, as any writer has encountered this beast at one time or another.

I found this book to be entertaining and informative and would recommend it to any writer, especially beginning writers.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Beginner's Creative Writing Guide
Review: If you are a beginning creative writer, or experimenting with a new style, poetry for example, this is an excellent book. The book deals with the various types of creative writing in an easy to understand, sometimes way too basic, manner. I say 'way too basic', coming from my personal situation. I've been writing fiction for years, and some of this book was, well, beneath me. I enjoyed the sections that I wasn't familiar with, as I am a little slow on the uptake sometimes!

Rating:
Summary: great for beginners
Review: This guide is for the ultimate beginner who is thinking of being a writer. It covers the very basics of creative writing. She starts the book off by saying anyone can be a writer and the point is to not get intimidated and just do it. She covers the process of writing, the other sections cover fiction, poetry, nonfiction, drama, scripts, and screenplays, she then tells you how to go about selling your work. How to deal with literary agents, contracts, fees, and bookkeeping. There is even a section on contests and grants. In the last chapter the author talks about editors and writer's block. This book is packed with info for the very beginner, so if you're thinking about being a writer and are just starting out then get this book to guide you.