- Table View
- List View
The Writer's Devotional: 365 Inspirational Exercises, Ideas, Tips & Motivations on Writing
by Amy PetersWhether youre writing fiction or nonfiction, screenplays or poetry, or simply trying to keep a more compelling journal or blog, this invaluable volume, filled with 365 inspiring quotations and informative tutorials, will get your creative juices flowing. Each day of the week focuses on a different aspect of the writing life, from the business of writing, to the nuts and bolts of editing, to tips and tricks for getting past writers block.
The Writer's Diet: A Guide to Fit Prose (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing)
by Helen SwordDo your sentences sag? Could your paragraphs use a pick-me-up? If so, The Writer's Diet is for you! It's a short, sharp introduction to great writing that will help you energize your prose and boost your verbal fitness. Helen Sword dispenses with excessive explanations and overwrought analysis. Instead, she offers an easy-to-follow set of writing principles: use active verbs whenever possible; favor concrete language over vague abstractions; avoid long strings of prepositional phrases; employ adjectives and adverbs only when they contribute something new to the meaning of a sentence; and reduce your dependence on four pernicious "waste words": it, this, that, and there. Sword then shows the rules in action through examples from William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Martin Luther King Jr. , John McPhee, A. S. Byatt, Richard Dawkins, Alison Gopnik, and many more. A writing fitness test encourages you to assess your own writing and get immediate advice on addressing problem areas. While The Writer's Diet is as sleek and concise as the writing ideals contained within, this slim volume packs a powerful punch. With Sword's coaching writers of all levels can strengthen and tone their sentences with the stroke of a pen or the click of a mouse. As with any fitness routine, adhering to the rules requires energy and vigilance. The results, however, will speak for themselves.
The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook
by Sherrilyn KenyonThis reference for writers provides meanings for some 25,000 names and surnames from 45 countries, listed by origin. An explanation of naming practices and historical context is provided for each origin section, and there is a reverse lookup of names by meaning, as well as an alphabetical index of names. An introduction gives practical advice on naming characters and places plus tips on naming for specific genres, and sidebars within the entry sections tell how published authors solved their naming dilemmas. Kenyon (whose name means Blond from the White Meadow) is a fantasy author. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
The Writer's Digest: Guide to Query Letters
by Wendy Burt-ThomasMake That Crucial, Positive First Impression Anyone who's researched the marketplace knows: The path to publication begins with your query letter. If your query is weak, unfocused, or uninspired, an editor or agent won't even bother to request your article, novel manuscript, or nonfiction book proposal. But a well-crafted, compelling query sent to the right editor or agent is an essential sales tool for fiction writers and the most effective way for nonfiction writers to pre-sell your idea. In this book, professional freelance writer and magazine editor Wendy Burt-Thomas shares practical advice on how to craft persuasive letters that connect with editors and agents and ultimately generate sales for you. You'll learn how to: Conduct targeted research to find suitable editors and agents Hook an editor with a tantalizing lead and shape a summary that compels editors to buy Select the strongest slant for your book or article Use research and interview shortcuts that keep your query prep profitable Make your query rejection-proof by weeding out subtle mistakes that can sabotage your project Communicate your author platform and sell yourself as the best writer for the subject Complete with dozens of sample queries–some that landed article assignments, agents, or book deals, and others that never stood a chance–this book offers you a comprehensive strategy for presenting your writing ideas in a way that will increase your chances of publication. Though the title may lead some to believe it's strictly to be shelved as a reference manual,The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Lettersis a smooth read from cover to cover.
The Writer's Essential Tackle Box
by Lynn PriceThe Writer's Essential Tackle Box offers an insider's view that informs and educates writers to key occupations that comprise the publishing industry--how they work, why they work, and pitfalls to avoid. A must-read for the new author seeking guidance through every aspect of the murky waters of publishing.
The Writer's Field Guide To The Craft Of Fiction
by Michael NollTHE WRITER'S FIELD GUIDE offers a refreshing approach to the craft of fiction writing. It takes a single page from forty contemporary novels and short stories, identifies techniques used by the writers, and presents approachable exercises and prompts that allow anyone to put those techniques to immediate use in their own work. Encompassing everything from micro (how to "write pretty") to macro (how to "move through time space"), and even how to put all together on page one, this a field guide for anyone who wants to start writing now.
The Writer's Gift or the Patron's Pleasure?: The Literary Economy in Late Medieval France
by Deborah McGradyThe Writer’s Gift or the Patron’s Pleasure? introduces a new approach to literary patronage through a reassessment of the medieval paragon of literary sponsorship, Charles V of France. Traditionally celebrated for his book commissions that promoted the vernacular, Charles V also deserves credit for having profoundly altered the literary economy when bypassing the traditional system of acquiring books through gifting to favor the commission. When upturning literary dynamics by soliciting works to satisfy his stated desires, the king triggered a multi-generational literary debate concerned with the effect a work’s status as a solicited or unsolicited text had in determining the value and purpose of the literary enterprise. Treating first the king's commissioned writers and then canonical French late medieval authors, Deborah L. McGrady argues that continued discussion of these competing literary economies engendered the concept of the “writer’s gift,” which vernacular writers used to claim a distinctive role in society based on their triple gift of knowledge, wisdom, and literary talent.
The Writer's Guide to Beginnings: How to Craft Story Openings That Sell
by William Martin Paula MunierGive your story its best start! The best beginnings possess a magical quality that grabs readers from the first word and never lets them go. But beginnings aren't just the door into a fictional world. They are the gateway to the realm of publishing--one that could shut as quickly as it opens. In The Writer's Guide to Beginnings, author and literary agent Paula Munier shows you how to craft flawless beginnings that impress agents, engage editors, and captivate readers. You'll learn how to develop the big idea of your story and introduce it on page one, structure opening scenes that encompass their own story arc, kickstart your writing with effective brainstorming techniques, and introduce a compelling cast of characters that drive the plot. You'll also examine the best-selling novels from different genres to learn the secrets that experienced writers use to dive straight into a story. With thorough examinations of voice, point of view, setting, dialogue and conflict, The Writer's Guide to Beginnings is a must-have tool for luring your readers in with your opening pages--and convincing them to stick around for the ride. "Writing a book? Hard. Writing the beginning of a book? Rocket science! Strap on your spacesuit, because thanks to Munier's nuanced, actionable breakdown of every possible aspect of a gripping opening, authors everywhere can now take their books to the stars." --K.M. Weiland
The Writer's Guide to Creating a Science Fiction Universe
by George Ochoa Jeffrey OsierTo hold the interest of knowledgeable sci-fi readers, a writer the genre must stay within certain fuzzy boundaries of scientific belief. This volume provides some of the scientific detail that will make a writer's adventures compelling and consistent with current views of the universe. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc. , Portland, Or.
The Writer's Guide to Good Style: A 21st Century guide to improving your punctuation, pace, grammar and style
by Katherine LapworthLEARN HOW TO LIFT YOUR CREATIVE WRITING BY EMPLOYING A GOOD WRITING STYLE.Do you want to write more effectively, correctly and in a manner which is appropriate for this brave new world of text speak and blogging?Whether you are a professional writer, or writing for your profession, a journalist, non-fiction writer, or simply a would-be blogger, you will find essential guidance and the latest style rules in this book.It contains firstly a detailed breakdown of both the rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling and, secondly, a guide to making your work readable, structured and well-paced. Unlike any other style guide, it also sets out the new and evolving rules for 21st century writing such as blogging, chatrooms, and even PowerPoint presentations.ABOUT THE SERIESThe Teach Yourself Creative Writing series helps aspiring authors tell their story. Covering a range of genres from science fiction and romantic novels, to illustrated children's books and comedy, this series is packed with advice, exercises and tips for unlocking creativity and improving your writing. And because we know how daunting the blank page can be, we set up the Just Write online community at tyjustwrite, for budding authors and successful writers to connect and share.
The Writer's Guide to Wattpad: The Comprehensive Guide to Building and Sustaining a Successful Career
by Benjamin Sobieck Wattpad WattpadEngage with the Next Generation of Writers! Wattpad is an online storytelling community where users can post their writing, such as articles, stories, novels, fan fiction, and poems. This platform offers writers the chance to connect directly with readers, fans, and story enthusiasts. With the ability to release stories and chapters one at a time, authors can receive continual encouragement and real-time feedback on their work. The Wattpad staff supports successful writers through their Stars program, which provides them opportunities to work with successful brands, publish to print, connect to film and television industries, and more. The potential of Wattpad for writers is limitless, and, for the first-time ever, the staff, writers, and stars of Wattpad have created the guide to help you launch and sustain a successful writing career through this platform. In The Writer's Guide to Wattpad, you'll learn how to:Get started using Wattpad, prepare your writing to be published, and develop a unique cover design.Interact with readers, use multimedia to enhance and tell stories, and leverage social media to create a stronger platform.Attract the attention of an agent or publisher and sell copies of your work elsewhere.Tap into the brand of Wattpad to understand their Stars Program, brand campaigns, and what success looks like.Written to be accessible to beginners and veterans alike, The Writer's Guide to Wattpad is your essential companion to navigating the Wattpad platform and brand, and leveraging your writing to millions of users worldwide.
The Writer's Guide to Weapons: A Practical Reference for Using Firearms and Knives in Fiction
by Benjamin SobieckWhen it comes to writing weapons, most authors shoot from the hip--and miss. The Writer's Guide to Weapons will help you hit your target every time. Firearms and knives have starring roles in a wide range of genres--crime, thriller, war, mystery, Western, and more. Unfortunately, many depictions of weapons in novels and film are pure fiction. Knowing the difference between a shotshell and a slug, a pistol and a revolver, or a switchblade and a butterfly knife is essential for imbuing your story with authenticity--and gaining popularity with discerning readers. Inside you'll find: An in-depth look at the basics of firearms and knives: how they work, why they work, what they look like, and how to depict them accurately in your stories. The biggest weapons myths in fiction, TV, and film. A surefire guide for choosing the correct weapon for your characters, no matter their skill level, strength, or background. A review of major gun and knife laws, weapons safety tips,and common police tactics. "The Hit List," showcasing the most popular weapons for spies, detectives, gunslingers, gangsters, military characters, and more. Examples highlighting inaccurate vs. accurate weapons depictions. An insightful foreword by David Morrell, the award-winning creator of Rambo. Equal parts accessible, humorous, and practical, The Writer's Guide to Weapons is the one resource you need to incorporate firearms and knives into your fiction like a seasoned professional.
The Writer's Guide to the Courtroom
by Donna BallmanOne-stop shopping for researching the complexities of all aspects of civil law. Whether one writes mysteries, romance, mainstream, or nonfiction, if the facts are wrong, the book is ruined. Adding some element of the law is also a valuable asset for adding further dimension or a plot twist to a story.
The Writer's Harbrace Handbook
by Cheryl Glenn Loretta GrayTHE WRITER'S HARBRACE HANDBOOK, 4th Edition, is grounded in the belief that an understanding of the rhetorical situation--the writer, reader, message, context, and exigence (reason for writing)--provides the best starting point for effective writing and reading. This comprehensive handbook guides student writers in employing that rhetorical understanding as they choose the most effective information to include, the best arrangement of that information, and the most appropriate language to use. The text moves students through the steps that constitute successful writing--from finding appropriate topics and writing clear thesis statements to arranging ideas and developing initial drafts. THE WRITER'S HARBRACE HANDBOOK also provides several sample student papers and excerpts of papers in various disciplines, along with instruction for successfully completing similar assignments.
The Writer's Harbrace Handbook (2nd Edition)
by Cheryl Glenn Loretta Gray Suzanne Strobeck Webb Robert Keith MillerThe second edition of this handbook for college students maintains its focus on the rhetorical demands of writing and its emphasis on writing in the disciplines.
The Writer's Harbrace Handbook (Brief 2nd Edition)
by Cheryl Glenn Loretta Gray Robert K. Miller Suzanne Strobeck WebbProviding a reliable standard for writing students and teachers, this text is based on the Harbrace Handbook of English (1941), the perennial college grammar and writing guide that grew from a systematic analysis of errors in some 20,000 college papers. In addition to a cleaner and clearer design, the second edition offers new emphasis on the rhetorical situation; revamped chapters on drafting and revising essays, e-designing, and writing arguments; new chapters on e-writing and evaluating online and print sources; coverage of writing for academic discourse, social and natural sciences, and business; and expanded style guides for researched writing. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc. , Portland, OR (booknews. com)
The Writer's Idea Book: How to Develop Great Ideas for Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Screenplays
by Jack Heffron"Where do you get your ideas?" It's a question and a quandary that bedevils every writer. And once you've got an idea, what then? Ideas without a plan, without a purpose, are no more than pleasant thoughts. InThe Writer's Idea Book, Jack Heffron, former senior editor at Writer's Digest Books and Story Press, will help you find the answer. Utilizing over 400 prompts and exercises, you'll generate intriguing ideas and plumb their possibilities to turn them into something amazing. The Writer's Idea Bookwill give you the insight and the self-awareness to create and refine ideas that demand to be transformed into greater works, the kind of compelling, absorbing writing that will have other writers asking "wheredoyou get those ideas?"
The Writer's Idea Thesaurus: An Interactive Guide for Developing Ideas for Novels and Short Stories
by Fred WhiteEndless ideas at your fingertips, and at the turn of a page... Need an idea for a short story or novel? Look no further than The Writer's Idea Thesaurus. It's far more than a collection of simple writing prompts. You'll find a vast treasury of story ideas inside, organized by subject, theme, and situation categories, and listed alphabetically for easy reference. Author and award-winning writing instructor Fred White shows you how to build out and customize these ideas to create unique plots that reflect your personal storytelling sensibilities, making The Writer's Idea Thesaurus an invaluable tool for generating creative ideas and vanquishing writer's block--for good. Inside you'll find: 2,000 unique and dynamic story ideas perfect for novels and short stories of any genre or writing style Twenty major idea categories, such as The Invasion of X, The Transformation of X into Y, Escape from X, The Curse of X, and more Multiple situations that further refine the major categories, such as The Creation of Artificial Life, The Descent Into Madness, Love in the Workplace, The Journey to a Forgotten Realm, and more Invaluable advice on how to customize each idea. The Writer's Idea Thesaurus is an interactive story generator that opens the door to thousands of new story arcs and plotlines.
The Writer's Journey, Second Edition: Mythic Structure for Writers
by Christopher VoglerThe Writer's Journey sets forth archetypes common in what Vogler calls "the hero's journey," the mythic structure that he claims all stories follow. In the book's first section, he lists the different kinds of typological characters who appear in stories. In the second, he discusses the stages of the journey through which the hero generally passes. The final, supplementary portion of the book explains in detail how films like Titanic and The Full Monty follow the patterns he has outlined.
The Writer's Legal Guide, Fourth Edition: An Authors Guild Desk Reference
by Tad Crawford Kay MurrayIn an increasingly digitized and complex publishing world, writers need to know how to protect themselves against copyright infringement, legal trouble, and unwise concessions to publishers. Still the author's foremost advocate for copyright protection, fair contracts, and free expression, the Authors Guild has once again partnered with Allworth Press to update this invaluable reference. Thoroughly revised to reflect the many changes in the publishing industry, the fourth edition offers plain-English explanations of legal and business aspects of the trade, from electronic rights and ebooks to contracts and accounting. Other topics include: Registering copyrights, including onlineTaxes and bookkeepingFollowing fair use guidelinesNegotiating contracts with publishers and agentsObtaining permissions to use others' workDealing with periodical, syndication, film, television, play, and audio rights agreementsHandling business disputesUnderstanding libel, privacy, and the limits of free expressionAvoiding self-publishing misstepsPlanning authors' estates
The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives
by Nancy Pearl Jeff SchwagerNEW & NOTEWORTHY ~ THE NEW YORK TIMES With a Foreword by Susan Orlean, twenty-three of today's living literary legends, including Donna Tartt, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Andrew Sean Greer, Laila Lalami, and Michael Chabon, reveal the books that made them think, brought them joy, and changed their lives in this intimate, moving, and insightful collection from "American's Librarian" and recipient of the National Book Foundation's Literarian Award for Outstanding Service Nancy Pearl and noted playwright Jeff Schwager that celebrates the power of literature and reading to connect us all.Before Jennifer Egan, Louise Erdrich, Luis Alberto Urrea, and Jonathan Lethem became revered authors, they were readers. In this ebullient book, America’s favorite librarian Nancy Pearl and noted-playwright Jeff Schwager interview a diverse range of America's most notable and influential writers about the books that shaped them and inspired them to leave their own literary mark. Illustrated with beautiful line drawings, The Writer’s Library is a revelatory exploration of the studies, libraries, and bookstores of today’s favorite authors—the creative artists whose imagination and sublime talent make America's literary scene the wonderful, dynamic world it is. A love letter to books and a celebration of wordsmiths, The Writer’s Library is a treasure for anyone who has been moved by the written word. The authors in The Writer’s Library are:Russell BanksTC BoyleMichael ChabonSusan ChoiJennifer EganDave EggersLouise ErdrichRichard FordLaurie FrankelAndrew Sean GreerJane HirshfieldSiri HustvedtCharles JohnsonLaila LalamiJonathan LethemDonna TarttMadeline MillerViet Thanh NguyenLuis Alberto UrreaVendela VidaAyelet WaldmanMaaza MengisteAmor Towles
The Writer's Little Helper: Everything You Need to Know to Write Better and Get Published
by James V. SmithBig Fiction Advice from a Little Book There is nothing little about the dynamic fiction-writing advice insideThe Writer's Little Helper. With big ideas, time-saving tips, and revision-made-easy charts, James V. Smith, Jr. offers effective guidance in short, easily checklists, Q&As, and practical tools. This book gives you everything you need to: Create great characters Maintain a compelling pace Craft believable dialogue Expand your creativity Revise your work to perfection Attract agent's and editor's attention And much, much more! The unique format of the book allows you to read from start to finish or to focus just on areas where your fiction needs work. With valuable and surprising tips on every page,The Writer's Little Helperis sure to become your biggest fiction writing aid.
The Writer's Loop
by Lauren Ingraham Jeanne BohannonThe Writer’s Loop, presents a refreshing, practical approach to writing, based on the habits of strong writers, who pause often, reflect, and loop backwards and forwards as they revise on their way to a final draft. With integrated videos, relatable examples, clear explanations, and a consistent, scaffolded learning framework, each brief chapter engages writers through reflection and practices that support the most common types of academic writing, including essays, arguments, and research projects Achieve with Ingraham and Bohannon, The Writer’s Loop combines instruction with integrated videos, powerful writing tools, and customizable multi-draft writing assignments.
The Writer's Loop with 2020 APA Update
by Lauren Ingraham Jeanne BohannonThe Writer’s Loop, presents a refreshing, practical approach to writing, based on the habits of strong writers, who pause often, reflect, and loop backwards and forwards as they revise on their way to a final draft. With integrated videos, relatable examples, clear explanations, and a consistent, scaffolded learning framework, each brief chapter engages writers through reflection and practices that support the most common types of academic writing, including essays, arguments, and research projects Achieve with Ingraham and Bohannon, The Writer’s Loop combines instruction with integrated videos, powerful writing tools, and customizable multi-draft writing assignments.
The Writer's Loop with 2020 APA and 2021 MLA Updates
by Lauren Ingraham Jeanne BohannonThis ebook has been updated to provide you with the latest guidance on documenting sources in MLA style and follows the guidelines set forth in the MLA Handbook, 9th edition (April 2021).The Writer’s Loop, presents a refreshing, practical approach to writing, based on the habits of strong writers, who pause often, reflect, and loop backwards and forwards as they revise on their way to a final draft. With integrated videos, relatable examples, clear explanations, and a consistent, scaffolded learning framework, each brief chapter engages writers through reflection and practices that support the most common types of academic writing, including essays, arguments, and research projectsAchieve with Ingraham and Bohannon, The Writer’s Loop combines instruction with integrated videos, powerful writing tools, and customizable multi-draft writing assignments.