Creative writing Books
Simon & Schuster Art Of Dramatic Writing
Book SynopsisLajos Egri examines a play from the inside out, starting with the heart of any drama: its characters. For it is people - their private natures and their inter-relationships - that move a story and give it life. All good dramatic writing depends upon an understanding of human motives. Why do people act as they do? What forces transform a coward into a hero, a hero into a coward? What is it that Romeo does early in Shakespeare''s play that makes his later suicide seem inevitable? Why must Nora leave her husband at the end of A Doll''s House? These are a few of the fascinating problems which Egri analyzes. He shows how it is essential for the author to have a basic premise - a thesis, demonstrated in terms of human behaviour - and to develop his dramatic conflict on the basis of that behaviour. Premise, character, conflict: this is Egri''s ABC. His book is a direct, jargon-free approach to the problem of achieving truth in a literary creation.Trade ReviewMoss Hart I found Lajos Egri's book enormously interesting -- one of the best I have ever read.Table of ContentsCONTENTSINTRODUCTIONFOREWORDPREFACEI PREMISEII CHARACTER1. The Bone Structure2. Environment3. The Dialectical Approach4. Character Growth5. Strength of Will in a Character6. Plot or Character -- Which?7. Characters Plotting Their Own Play8. Pivotal Character9. The Antagonist10. Orchestration11. Unity of OppositesIII CONFLICT1. Origin of Action2. Cause and Effect3. Static4. Jumping5. Rising6. Movement7. Foreshadowing Conflict8. Point of Attack9. Transition10. Crisis, Climax, ResolutionIV GENERAL1. Obligatory Scene2. Exposition3. Dialogue4. Experimentation5. The Timeliness of a Play6. Entrances and Exits7. Why Are Some Bad Plays Successful?8. Melodrama9. On Genius10. What Is Art? -- A Dialogue11. When You Write a Play12. How to Get Ideas13. Writing for Television14. ConclusionAPPENDIX A. Plays AnalyzedAPPENDIX B. How to Market Your PlayAPPENDIX C. Long Runs on BroadwayINDEX
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers The Science of Storytelling
Book SynopsisSUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERIf you want to write a novel or a script, read this book' Sunday TimesThe best book on the craft of storytelling I've ever read' Matt HaigRarely has a book engrossed me more, and forced me to question everything I've ever read, seen or written. A masterpiece' Adam RutherfordWhy stories make us human and how to tell them better.There have been many attempts to understand what makes a good story but few have used a scientific approach.In this incisive, thought-provoking book, award-winning writer Will Storr demonstrates how master storytellers manipulate and compel us.Applying dazzling psychological research and cutting-edge neuroscience to the foundations of our myths and archetypes, he shows how we can use these tools to tell better stories and make sense of our chaotic modern world.INCLUDES NEW MATERIAL.Trade Review‘Rarely has a book engrossed me more, and forced me to question everything I’ve ever read, seen or written. It’s a masterpiece. I am in awe’ Adam Rutherford, author of A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived ‘The best book on the craft of storytelling I’ve ever read’ Matt Haig ‘Easily the best book I've read this year’ Hannah Fry ‘Reading this book feels like cheating. It gives you an unfair advantage over other writers. A fascinating new way of looking at writing and how to exploit the fact that storytelling is hardwired into our brains’ Charlie Higson ‘A brilliant, accessible and very human book not just for writers but for anyone interested in how the mind works – not least their own. Will manages to be both detached and compassionate on every page, sometimes within the same sentence. That such a complicated book is so easy to read is testament to his clarity of thought and skill as writer. A stupendous achievement’ Robert Webb ‘A hugely compelling reading experience. Storr’s superb exploration of the enduring appeal of the novel offers a smart, fascinating exploration of the science and psychology behind our most sophisticated art form that also works as an effective how-to guide’ Alex Preston, Observer ‘If you want to write a novel or a script, read this book. It is clear, compelling and tightly shaped around one fascinating and productive idea … Storr wants to free writers from programmatic, plot-based writing guides, and his approach feels liberating’ Sunday Times 'If you’ve ever read a book, watched a movie, binged a television series, or tried to write one, this book is mandatory reading. A truly revolutionary look at the how and why of storytelling’ Craig Pearce, screenwriter of Strictly Ballroom, Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby ‘So much more than a book about how to write stories. It’s a book about what it means to be alive’ Tim Lott
£10.44
The University of Chicago Press Economical Writing Third Edition
Book Synopsis
£13.00
Hay House UK Ltd The Artist's Way Morning Pages Journal: A
Book SynopsisYour personal gateway to one of the most effective daily tools for cultivating creativity, personal growth and productivity.Morning pages are three pages of longhand, stream-of-consciousness writing done first thing in the morning. They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind, and are intended to provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand. This daily writing, coupled with the 12-week programme outlined in The Artist's Way, will help you discover and recover your personal creativity, artistic confidence and productivity.The Artist's Way Morning Pages Journal includes an introduction by Julia Cameron with complete instructions on how to use the morning pages and benefit fully from their daily use. Its inspiring quotations will guide you through the process, and a final chapter shows how to start an Artist's Way study group.
£17.99
Chronicle Books 642 Tiny Things to Write About
Book SynopsisThe next installment in the bestselling series presents 642 writing prompts in an irresistible new format. Delightful and thought-provoking, this book is perfect for stumped writers, journalers, or any creative type needing a tiny flash of inspiration.
£7.98
HarperCollins Publishers Zen in the Art of Writing
Book SynopsisIn this exuberant book, the incomparable Ray Bradbury shares the wisdom, experience, and excitement of a lifetime of writing.The first thing a writer should be is excitedAuthor of the iconic FAHRENHEIT 451, THE ILLUSTRATED MAN and THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES, Ray Bradbury is one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century.Part memoir, part masterclass, ZEN IN THE ART OF WRITING offers a vivid and exuberant insight into the craft of writing. Bradbury reveals how writers can each find their own unique path to developing their voice and style.ZEN IN THE ART OF WRITING offers a celebration of the act of writing that will delight, impassion, and inspire.Trade Review‘No other writer uses language with greater originality and zest. he seems to be a American Dylan Thomas – with discipline’ Sunday Telegraph 'Let us now praise Ray Bradbury, the uncrowned poet laureate of science fiction.' The Times 'It is impossible not to admire the vigour of his prose, similes and metaphors constantly cascading from his imagination' Spectator ‘Bradbury is an authentic original’ Time Magazine
£10.44
The Do Book Co Do Story: How to Tell Your Story so the World
Book SynopsisThe universe is made of stories, not atoms.' - Muriel Rukeyser. Today s world wants to know you and the real story behind why you do what you do. Whether you have a product to sell, a company mission to share or an audience to entertain, people are far more likely to engage and connect if you deliver a well-crafted story with an emotional core. Bobette Buster is a story consultant to major studios including Pixar, Disney and Sony Animation. In Do Story she teaches the art of telling powerful and engaging stories. With profiles of activists, leaders and visionaries, she shares a variety of styles and subjects to demonstrate her Ten Principles of Storytelling. Find out -How to source, structure and shape your story -The power of the 'gleaming detail' -Why an emotional connection is key. Newly updated and expanded with two new chapters, beautiful artwork by Millie Marotta and plenty of practical tips and exercises, you will discover how to take your own storytelling from good...to great. So, what s your story?Trade ReviewBobette is a truly fantastic teacher, a main stay in the USC Peter Stark Program where she has made such a tremendous impact on students. No one understands story better than her. Larry Turman, - Director, USC Peter Stark Program and Producer of The Graduate
£8.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Write Like a Ninja
Book SynopsisSuper engaging and accessible' PIERS TORDAYEmpowers children to be creative, perseverant and write independently' TEACH PRIMARYA must-have book for any young writer' JANE CONSIDINEAn imaginative and affordable resource' CLASS READSIf you're looking for emergency literacy help in a handy, pocket-sized book, then Write Like a Ninja is perfect for you. Crammed full of writing and grammar tips, prompts to get children thinking of rich alternatives and Alan Peat's exciting sentences, this gem of a book is perfect for children aged 7 upwards either as an invaluable classroom aid or a brilliant dip-in thesaurus to use at home. It contains everything a budding writer needs to flourish as an author and meet the demands of the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum for English.This engaging, easy-to-use book allows children to write with confidence. There are awesome alternatives for overused adjectives, as well as themed vocabulary lists for describing Trade ReviewA super engaging and accessible primer to the fundamentals of language, packed with usable examples, that should be in every classroom. -- Piers Torday * Award-winning children’s writer and author of "The Last Wild", @PiersTorday *Write Like a Ninja is a must-have book for any young writer that wants to give their writing a kick. I wish that the Vocabulary Ninja was my sensei when I was a child learning how to master the art of writing. -- Jane Considine * Author of "The Write Stuff - Transforming the Teaching of Writing" *As both a school leader and a parent, I can’t recommend this enough to help children transform their writing. Children will certainly find this essential guide both accessible and engaging. -- Jon Tait * Deputy CEO and Director of School Improvement, @TeamTait *I've been looking for something which has high quality vocabulary and writing essentials in one place and I've finally found it! Write Like a Ninja brings together vocabulary in a clear and concise way which will allow the children in my class to find what they need and be creative. -- Maaria Khan * Year 6 Teacher and English Lead, @MissKhan__ *Designed to support the KS2 National Curriculum, this rich resource will help young writers get to grips with grammar in clear and meaningful ways that will enhance their writing. It’s also a handy time-saver for teachers, providing as it does excellent examples that demonstrate grammar in action. -- Joanne Owen * Love Reading 4 Schools *Every page is presented in an aesthetically pleasing way that will appeal to children, and definitions and examples are included as well as lists that are easy for children to use whilst they are writing. * K and O Bonkers About Books *The skill of a ninja is the art of winning and this book teaches children how to win at writing. Just as ninjas need a wide range of skills to help them succeed in their mission, this book equips children with what they need for their next writing challenge. -- John Dabell * Teach Primary *Intended as a quick reference guide, it offers a portable replacement to the types of vocabulary posters you find on many classroom walls. It's an imaginative and affordable resource that every classroom should have. -- John Bolton * Class Reads *Designed to support the KS2 National Curriculum, this rich resource will help young writers get to grips with grammar in clear and meaningful ways that will enhance their writing. It’s also a handy time-saver for teachers, providing as it does excellent examples that demonstrate grammar in action. -- Joanne Owen * Love Reading 4 Kids *
£6.88
Manchester University Press The fantasy fiction formula
Book SynopsisA guide to the nuts and bolts of fantasy writing that illustrates techniques with examples drawn from published fantasy fiction and offers plentiful drills and exercises to help students hone their writing skills.Trade ReviewListen carefully to what Debbie has to say about telling stories, aspiring writer. She knows exactly what she's talking about.Jim Butcher, New York Times bestselling author of The Dresden Files -- .Table of ContentsForeword by Jim ButcherAuthor preface1. Formulating a story plan2. Character design3. Viewpoint4. Dialogue5. Scene structure6. Scene conflict7. Conflict maneuver8. Ending scenes9. Sequels10. Dilemma and decision11. Entering the dark dismal middle 12. Surviving the dark dismal middle13. More dark dismal middle14. Unmasking true nature15. Pacing16. Ending the story17. Story climax18. Writing the resolution19. Revision methods20. The road to publication21. Final suggestionsIndex
£18.99
Modern Language Association of America MLA Handbook
Book SynopsisTeaching and learning MLA style is about to get easier.For nearly seventy years, the Modern Language Association has helped student writers choose trustworthy sources and use them to support their own ideas. Now, the authority on writing and research presents the clearest approach to MLA style yet with the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook.The ninth edition works as both a textbook and a reference guide. Focusing on source evaluation, it features a wealth of visual examples and updated advice on punctuation and grammar, footnotes and endnotes, annotated bibliographies, and paper formatting.An all-in-one resource that makes MLA style easier to learn and use, the MLA Handbook includes: Expanded, in-depth guidance on creating works-cited-list entries using the MLA template of core elements that explains what each core element is, where to find it in various sources, and how to style it. A new, easy-to-follow explanation of in-text citations. A new chapter containing recommendations for using inclusive language. A new appendix with hundreds of sample works-cited-list entries by publication format, including books, databases, websites, YouTube videos, interviews, and more. Updated guidelines on avoiding plagiarism. Although there are numerous websites, apps, reference works, and cheat sheets that claim to help with MLA style, there’s only one truly authoritative resource to help your students on their paths to becoming better writers. The ninth edition of the MLA Handbook is the most comprehensive guide the MLA has ever produced, with an all-inclusive approach to writing, research, documentation, and formatting.Trade ReviewGeared ... to the needs of today’s students and teachers. ...Essential." - ChoiceTable of Contents Preface Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Formatting Your Research Project 3. Principles of Inclusive Language 4. Documenting Sources: An Overview 5. The List of Works Cited 6. Citing Sources in the Text 7. Notes Appendix 1: Abbreviations Appendix 2: Works-Cited-List Entries by Publication Format Appendix Contents Work-Cited-List Entries Index
£21.00
Abrams Wonderbook Revised and Expanded
Book SynopsisA revised edition of the very successful fully illustrated guide to writing fantastical fiction, which provides instruction and motivation for aspiring authors from some of today’s bestselling fantasy authorsTrade Review“If worldbuilding gives you an S-class migraine, never fear. There's one book that every speculative fiction writer should read to learn about proper worldbuilding: Wonderbook by Jeff VanderMeer. This handy how-to guide deserves a spot on your writer's bookshelf…” Bustle “In the gorgeously illustrated Wonderbook, Vandermeer generously gives away some of his tricks. Your dad can finally start that novel he's been talking about.” Refinery29 "Even if you write stories already, there is a lot to be learnt here and it might also sort out any writer’s blocks you have when you think you’re written yourself into a corner. Reading how various authors get around this should at least prove no problem is insurmountable, even if you have to re-write your draft. Learn and digest." SFcrowsnest "Whether you’re a novice writer wanting to get that story out of your head onto paper, or a seasoned author, you’re going to find much to consider in this. Highly recommended. 10/10" SciFiBulletin “Wonderbook is one of the best books about writing I’ve ever read or experienced.” – Nnedi Okorafor, Author “Aspiring writers of "imaginative fiction" — whether science fiction, fantasy or other kinds — are in for a treat: a new update to the fiction-writing guide "Wonderbook," by Jeff VanderMeer... it's gorgeous to page through and substantial enough to last new (or medium) writers a good long time.” Space.com “VanderMeer ambitiously sets out to help readers get creative, and he does it with a rule-breaking book full of illustrations.” The Portalist “This newly revised and expanded edition of VanderMeer's essential guide to crafting fantastic stories includes a great section on writing environmentally themed fiction.” EcoWatch
£16.99
Chronicle Books The Story Oracle: A Creative Writing Inspiration
Book SynopsisA creative twist on divination cards such as tarot and oracle, The Story Oracle offers a deck of 78 unique cards with bright, iconic illustrations and open-ended, multi-meaning readings designed to inspire storytelling. Break writer's block and find inspiration at every turn of the card! Whether you are trying to find a story direction, deepen a character, dig out of a rut, or kick-start a new narrative, these cards will bring creative insight and let your inner storyteller shine through. Just draw a card to determine the next twist in your story (maybe "Follow That Car" or "Misunderstanding"), shape the perfect character arc (such as "Pride," "Guardian," then "Surprise Villain") and much more. A guidebook offers potential readings for each individual card (upright and reverse), as well as card layouts that set up a variety of story conditions.
£16.19
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Childrens Writers Artists Yearbook 2025
Book SynopsisForeword by Alice Oseman, creator of the million-copy bestselling Heartstopper books.This is not a book, it is a sky filled with possibility, so let its wisdom lift you and soar!' Joseph Coelho, Children's LaureateCelebrating its 21st edition, this indispensable Children''s Writers'' & Artists'' Yearbook provides everything you need to know to get your work noticed. With thousands of up-to-date contacts and inspiring articles from dozens of successful writers, illustrators and industry insiders, it is the ultimate resource on writing and publishing for children of all ages.Packed with insights and practical tips, it provides expert advice on: - submitting to agents and publishers - writing non-fiction and fiction across genres and formats - poetry, plays, broadcast media and illustration - self-publishing - copyright, finances and contracts - marketing, prizes and festivals - and much, much more
£22.10
Teachers' College Press Doing Disciplinary Literacy Teaching Reading and
Book SynopsisLearn how to design discipline-specific literacy instruction that increases academic engagement and supports college and career readiness. This practical resource offers contexts and strategies for addressing a fundamental question that teachers bring to their work with middle and high school learners.Trade Review"Gabriel (Univ. of Connecticut) supplies secondary-education graduate students with a degree of meta-discursive awareness to enable them to function in the classroom with the changing demands of reading, writing, and communication. The conclusion provides a good summary of the implications of disciplinary literacy."—CHOICETable of Contents Contents (Tentative) Foreword Introduction Overview Conclusion 1. What Is Disciplinary Literacy? Why Build Disciplinary Literacy? What Does Disciplinary Literacy Do for Students? Is Disciplinary Literacy Only for Academic Disciplines? Why Should Teachers Learn about Disciplinary Literacies? Why Is Disciplinary Literacy so Important? I Don't Remember being Taught This Way, so Why Should I Teach This Way? The Goal of Disciplinary Literacy Questions for Discussion 2. Pedagogy and Processes for Literacy Development Pedagogy Doing the Work of the Discipline Processes for Literacy Development Understanding Text Complexity Questions for Discussion Resources for Further Reading 3. Doing the Discipline Routines and Practices Why Disciplines Are Not Enough Discourse Follows Communities Resources for Further Reading 4. Text Roundup Examining Routines Unlocking Habits of Mind Activity Guide: Text Roundup Questions for Duscussion Resources for Further Reading 5. Mentor Texts Knowing What to Notice Knowing What to Teach How to Write From a Mentor Text Activity Guide Discussion Questions 6. The Expert Interview Purposes for Expert Interviews Evaluation Questions for Discussions Resources for Further Reading 7. The Oak Tree Activity A "Fine" Example Activity Guide Examples Evaluation Questions for Discussion Resources for Further Reading 8. Text Set Construction Making a Text Set Activity Guide Evaluation Questions for Discussion Resources for Further Reading 9. Text-Dependent Questions A Directed Reading-Thinking Activity Activity Guide Evaluation Questions for Discussion Resources for Further Reading 10. Learning From Non-Print-Based Texts Hierarchies of Representation Teaching the Reading of Non-Print-Based Texts Activity Guide Evaluation Questions for Discussion Resources for Further Reading Chapter 11: Task Analysis and Enhancement Starting With a Pre-Planned Lesson or Activity Starting With a Text Knowing Where Literate Practices Go Purpose and Process Activity Guide Evaluation Discussion Questions Resources for Further Reading Conclusion: Doing the Discipline Preparing Students for the Work of Their Lives Looking Ahead References Index About the Author
£31.41
Broadview Press Ltd AI and Writing
Book SynopsisAI and Writing is an introduction to Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and its emergent role as a tool for academic, professional, civic, and personal writing. Sid Dobrin examines GenAI from two perspectives: the conceptual and the applied. The conceptual approach asks readers to consider the function of GenAI in their writing and to consider the ramifications of its use as a writing tool especially the ethical, social, and material issues it raises. The applied approach offers guidance to assist readers in using GenAI responsibly and authentically. In consideration of the rapid evolution of GenAI and the many unsettled questions about its utility, this book leaves room for readers to adapt to shifting technological and institutional contexts.This book is intended for composition and writing-intensive courses, and for any readers with a general or professional interest in the role of GenAI in writing. While it's primarily designed for first-year writing courses, it's also applicable to courses in advanced writing, professional writing, technical writing, business writing, and writing across the curriculum, as well as writing-intensive courses in other disciplines. In other words, it can be used in any course in which students are required to produce texts.Trade Review“AI and Writing is a practical, just-in-time guide for students—and teachers—on the uses and limitations of Generative AI in writing. Just as importantly, it will prompt critical reflection about AI's role in the future of writing and writing education. An invaluable read for anyone who wants to better understand GenAI and its impact on education.” — Naomi Mardock Uman, Metropolitan Community College“Sid Dobrin’s AI and Writing offers engaging insights that cut through contemporary anxiety surrounding generative AI in education. This book adeptly navigates both the speculative and the practical landscape of digital technologies, demystifying the complexities of generative AI and presenting actionable insights. Dobrin’s writing is framed by a philosophical and ethical lens that makes this book relevant, accessible, and essential reading for educators and learners alike.” — Clare Dyson, RMIT University Adobe Creative Campus“Sid Dobrin has spent his career pushing us to see what comes next for writing, and AI and Writing offers yet another exciting glimpse around the corner.… Dobrin’s book offers educators and students alike a vantage point from which to engage writing’s future.” — Jason Crider, Texas A&M University“Whether you are preparing students and colleagues for the new world of writing with AI or just trying to help them catch up to what has happened since the release of ChatGPT, Sid Dobrin offers an essential resource. The speed of change in AI and writing can be intimidating, but Dobrin deftly captures the enduring questions, illuminates a longer history than some might realize for these technologies, and sets an agenda for thoughtful engagement with AI rather than a reactionary response.” — William Hart-Davidson, Michigan State UniversityTable of ContentsI. Introduction: ChatGPT and the Generative Artificial Intelligence Surge Automated Writing: It's not Really New History of Writing Technologies and Cultural Panic II. What is Generative AI? (And for that matter, what is AI?) The Myths of Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence Briefly Defined Generative Artificial Intelligence Briefly Defined How Does Generative Artificial Intelligence Work? What are our Assumptions and Expectations about GenAI? III. Generative AI and Academic Integrity (as well as professional, civic, and personal integrity) Generative AI and Integrity The Plagiarism Problem Spaces of Judgement IV. What is an Author? Generative AI and the Idea of Authorship Where is My Writing? Writing with Algorithms Does generative AI 'Write'? V. The Places of Generative AI Writing Academic Professional Civic Personal VI. Generative AI and Writing Processes Generative AI and Invention Generative AI and Drafting Generative AI and Revision VII. Generative AI and Creativity What is Art? What is original? Visual Rhetoric and GenAI Generative AI and Multimodal Writing VIII. Generative AI Best Practices
£18.95
Tuttle Publishing Writing Haiku: A Beginner's Guide to Composing
Book SynopsisA world of dewAnd within every dewdropA world of struggle The iconic three-line haiku form is increasingly popular today as people embrace its simplicity and grace—and its connections to the Japanese ethos of mindfulness and minimalism. Say more with fewer words.This practical guide by poet and teacher Bruce Ross shows you how to capture a fleeting moment, like painting a picture with words, and how to give voice to your innermost thoughts, feelings, and observations. You don't have to be a practiced poet or writer to write your own haiku, and this book shows you how.In this book, aspiring poets will find: Accessible, easy-to-replicate examples and writing prompts A foreword that looks at the state of haiku today as the form continues to expand worldwide An introduction to related Japanese haiku forms such as tanka, haiga, renga, haibun, and senryu A listing of international journals and online resources Do you want to tell a story? Give haibun a try. Maybe you want to express a fleeting feeling? A tanka is the perfect vehicle. Are you more visual than verbal? Then a haiga, or illustrated haiku, is the ideal match. Finally, a renga is perfect as a group project or to create with friends, passing a poem around, adding line after line, and seeing what your group effort amounts to.Ross walks readers through the history and form of haiku, before laying out what sets each Japanese poetic form apart. Then it's time to turn to your notebook and start drafting some verse of your own!
£11.69
Macmillan Learning A Writers Reference
Book Synopsis
£53.19
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Writers Artists Yearbook 2025
Book SynopsisWhat is your best investment? Buying a copy of the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook.' Kimberley ChambersThis bestselling Writers'' & Artists'' Yearbook contains a wealth of information on all aspects of writing and becoming a published author, plus a comprehensive directory of media contacts.Packed with practical tips, it includes expert advice from renowned authors and industry insiders on: - submitting to agents and publishers - writing non-fiction and fiction across different genres and formats - poetry, plays, broadcast media and illustration - marketing and self-publishing- legal and financial information - writing prizes and festivals.Revised and updated annually, the Yearbook includes thousands of industry contacts and over 80 articles from writers of all forms and genres, including award-winning novelists, poets and playwrights, scriptwriters for TV, radio and videogames.If you want to find a lit
£25.50
Pan Macmillan Daily Rituals: How Great Minds Make Time, Find
Book Synopsis'Utterly fascinating' Daisy Goodwin, Sunday TimesBenjamin Franklin took daily naked air baths and Toulouse-Lautrec painted in brothels. Edith Sitwell worked in bed, and George Gershwin composed at the piano in pyjamas. Freud worked sixteen hours a day, but Gertrude Stein could never write for more than thirty minutes, and F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in gin-fuelled bursts - he believed alcohol was essential to his creative process. From Marx to Murakami and Beethoven to Bacon, Daily Rituals by Mason Currey presents the working routines of more than a hundred and sixty of the greatest philosophers, writers, composers and artists ever to have lived. Whether by amphetamines or alcohol, headstand or boxing, these people made time and got to work.Featuring photographs of writers and artists at work, and filled with fascinating insights on the mechanics of genius and entertaining stories of the personalities behind it, Daily Rituals is irresistibly addictive, and utterly inspiring.Trade ReviewI just can't recommend this book enough -- Lena DunhamA trove of entertaining anecdote and thought-provoking comparison -- Toby Lichtig * Daily Telegraph *A chance to see what great lives look like when the triumphs, dramas, disruptions and divorces have been all but boiled away. It will fascinate anyone who wonders how a day might best be spent, especially those who have wondered of their artistic heroes, as a baffled Colette once did of George Sand: how the devil did they manage? * Guardian *Utterly fascinating -- Daisy Goodwin * Sunday Times *Mason Currey has carefully compiled the daily habits and personal foibles of 161 great writers, artists, scientists and thinkers, including one who stood on his head to cure creative block. By the end of this book, our carpet-glue habit looks normal -- DBC Pierre * Guardian *A fascinating little book * Financial Times *An utterly fascinating compendium . . . This book is the ultimate retort to the flaneurs who dream about the novel/screenplay/painting they would create if only they had the time. Its message is that serious artists make the time, and most of them make it at the same time every day -- Daisy Goodwin * Sunday Times *A thoroughly researched, minutely annotated and delightful book, full of the quirks and oddities of thehuman comedy . . . Its main lesson can be summed up simply enough: get up, have a cup of coffee, sit at your desk and begin * Literary Review *Some of the world's greatest minds had routines they stuck to to produce their works of genius. In DailyRituals, Mason Currey reveals their more bizarre habits * Daily Mirror *Fascinating . . . it also interestingly reveals that there is no universal formula to greatness, so in essence, it's a celebration of individuality and quirkiness * Huffington Post *
£12.34
Adams Media Corporation The Only Grammar Book Youll Ever Need Updated
Book SynopsisWith more than 500,000 copies sold, The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need is the go-to resource that even AI can't beat. Updated throughout with new examples and worksheets to help readers retain what they've learned, this new edition is the perfect resource for answering all your grammar questions.
£8.54
Macmillan Learning The Bedford Handbook
Book Synopsis
£46.54
Michael Wiese Productions Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting
Book Synopsis
£13.49
Penguin Books Ltd Into The Woods
Book Synopsis''The best book on the subject I''ve read. Quite brilliant'' Tony Jordan, creator/writer, Life on Mars, HustleWe all love stories. But why do we tell them? And why do all stories function in an eerily similar way? John Yorke, creator of the BBC Writers'' Academy, has brought a vast array of drama to British screens. Here he takes us on a journey to the heart of storytelling, revealing that there truly is a unifying shape to narrative forms - one that echoes the fairytale journey into the woods and, like any great art, comes from deep within. From ancient myths to big-budget blockbusters, he gets to the root of the stories that are all around us, every day.''Marvellous'' Julian Fellowes ''Terrifyingly clever ... Packed with intelligent argument'' Evening Standard ''The most important book about scriptwriting since William Goldman''s Adventures in the Screen Trade'' Peter Bowker, writer, Blackpool, Occupation, Eric Trade ReviewBrimmingly insightful ... fresh, enlightening and accessible ... a gripping read from beginning to end -- Robert Collins * Sunday Times *Terrifyingly clever ... Packed with intelligent argument * Evening Standard *So detailed and engaging is his methodology that any consumer of books, plays, TV or films will find the experience enhanced; and scriptwriters themselves will find useful guidance - because when you know the why, the how is natural -- Robert Epstein * Independent on Sunday *This is a marvellous analysis of screenwriting and, with any luck, should help a great many people achieve their dreams -- Julian Fellowes, writer/creator of Downton AbbeyAnother book on screenwriting! Oh, how I wanted to hate it! I didn't. I loved it. Much of it was fresh to me. And always interesting, always intelligent and, for a writer, always rewarding -- Jimmy McGovern, screenwriter, The Street and The AccusedIn an industry full of so called script gurus and snake oil salesmen, at last there's a book about story that treats writers like grown ups. This isn't about providing us with an ABC of story or telling us how to write a script by numbers. It's an intelligent evaluation into the very nature of storytelling and is the best book on the subject I've read. Quite brilliant -- Tony Jordan, screenwriter, Life on Mars and HustleEven for a convinced sceptic, John Yorke's book, with its massive field of reference from Aristotle to Glee, and from Shakespeare to Spooks, is a highly persuasive and hugely enjoyable read. It would be hard to beat for information and wisdom about how and why stories are told -- Dominic Dromgoole, Artistic Director, The Globe TheatreThis book is intelligent, well written, incisive and, most of all, exciting. It is the most important book about scriptwriting since William Goldman's Adventures in the Screen Trade -- Peter Bowker, screenwriter, Blackpool, Occupation and Eric & ErniePart 'How-to' manual, part 'why-to' celebration, Into The Woods is a wide-reaching and infectiously passionate exploration of storytelling in all its guises ... exciting and thought-provoking -- Emma Frost, screenwriter, The White Queen and ShamelessInto The Woods is an amazing achievement. It has a real depth and understanding about story, a fantastically broad frame of reference and it's interesting and absorbing throughout. Full of incredibly useful insights, every TV writer should read the first chapter alone -- Simon Ashdown, series consultant, EastEndersTesting the adage that "in theory there's no difference between theory and practice but in practice there is", this is a love story to story -- erudite, witty and full of practical magic. It's by far the best book of its kind I've ever read. I struggle to think of the writer who wouldn't benefit from reading it -- even if they don't notice because they're too busy enjoying every page -- Neil Cross, creator/writer of Luther, Crossbones and writer of Dr Who, MI5Books on story structure are ten a penny but Mistah Yorke's is the real deal -- Kathryn FlettAll script-writers will want to read Into The Woods. All plots and archetypes BUSTED -- Caitlin MoranGot to say Into The Woods by John Yorke is marvellous. The prospect of another screenwriting book made me yawn, but its terrific ... It's a great read, wise and cogent, and a must for all screenwriters -- David EldridgeA mind-blower ... an incredibly dense but very readable tome about the art of storytelling ... Really worth a read -- Lenny Henry * The Independent *I don't always enjoy books on writing, but Into the Woods by John Yorke is brilliant on story structure. -- Ken Follett, author of 'The Pillars of the Earth'In his brimmingly insightful, stimulating study of how stories work, Yorke compellingly unpicks how a whole range of films, plays, novels and fairy tales all display the same archetypal structures . . . His book, in telling scores of stories in such a fresh, enlightening and accessible manner, is a gripping read from beginning to end * Sunday Times *The best book on the subject [of storytelling] I've read, tells us everything we need to know about it. Yorke's analysis is superb * London Evening Standard *A mightily impressive opus, both hugely informative and highly educational. I love the way it's populated with so many examples - the many combinations of both mass market and the slightly more esoteric giving a something-for-everyone feeling. A brilliant work -- Peter James, best-selling author of NOT DEAD ENOUGH and LOOKING GOOD DEADYorke sets out to analyse the patterns behind storytelling, explaining why the fundamentals of narrative have remained the same from Aristotle to Aaron Sorkin. A great starting point for anyone wanting to create a story * Stuff Magazine *I've just read a book about professional writing which has genuinely helped me. It's for those who are serious about avoiding bad 'How To' books and want to raise their game, and it's more intelligent than most of the others. John Yorke's Into The Woods: How Stories Work And Why We Tell Them is a genuine game-changer and has helped me put past bad habits to rest -- Christopher Fowler, Author of Bryant and MayInto The Woods is utterly brilliant -- Ed Cumming * Daily Telegraph *Love storytelling? You need this inspiring book. John Yorke dissects the structure of stories with a joyous enthusiasm allied to precise, encyclopaedic knowledge. Guaranteed to send you back to your writing desk with newfound excitement and drive -- Chris Chibnall, creator and writer of Broadchurch and The Great Train RobberyInto The Woods is brilliant. One of the best books on script writing out there . . . I loved the book. Inspiring -- Dominic Mitchell, creator and writer of In The FleshThere is no end of books that instruct us on how to write the perfect screenplay, but few that delve more deeply into the art of storytelling than this erudite volume * Financial Times *Its strength is Yorke's acute perception of the wellsprings of universal narrative structures relevant to all artistic activities * The Times *Terrific . . . It's a great read, wise and cogent, and a must for all screenwriters -- David Eldridge, writer of Festen and In BasildonIt's a great read. It makes me smile and say 'Yes!' aloud. Only this and PG Wodehouse do that -- Lucy Gannon, writer/creator of Soldier Soldier, Peak Practice, Frankie, The Best Of MenNot How 2 Write them but how stories work. John Yorke's Into the Woods: A 5 Act Journey into Story is brilliant, illuminates & explains -- Susan Hill, Author, The Woman In Black, I’m The King Of The CastleI'm only 70 pages into John Yorke's Into the Woods but it's already helped me crack two stories -- Andy Diggle, former editor of 2000AD, comic book writer for Marvel, DCHighly recommended reading * Huffington Post *Yorke is aware that the world is not suffering for lack of prescriptive screenwriting manuals. Instead, with Into the Woods, he takes a scalpel to narrative structure - dissecting protagonist, antagonist, inciting incident, crisis and so on - before asking how and why this underlying shape still holds audiences spellbound like a fairytale witch. "A story is like a magnet dragged through randomness," Yorke writes, but while he elegantly untangles the deepest roots of storytelling, he also honours the human need for truth and sense with some more superficial questions: why do series tend to "jump the shark" round about season three, for example, or why is clunky exposition - particularly in medical dramas - so appallingly comical? Sit comfortably, then begin * Guardian *I absolutely love this book. It's incredible and so well written. I keep trying to find fault but so far no joy - It's so good -- Matt Charman, writer Bridge of Spies (dir Stephen Spielberg); Black Work (ITV)[John Yorke's] writing book is arguably possibly almost as good as mine, all right it's loads better shut up -- David Quantick, Author of HOW TO WRITE EVERYTHINGProbably, in the hackneyed phrase, "the last book on screenwriting you'll ever need." He is very good at debunking the claims of some screenwriting gurus, all of whom are busy trying to sell you their own particular brand of snake oil. It's truly excellent -- Tim Adler * Daily Telegraph *Of all the books I've read about story construction and the art of fiction, this one is the most comprehensive and concise -- John Collee, writer on 'Master And Commander', 'Happy Feet', 'Creation', 'Walking With Dinosaurs'
£10.44
Simon & Schuster Ernest Hemingway on Writing
Book SynopsisA collection of reflections on writing and the nature of the writer from one the greatest American writers of the 20th century.Throughout Hemingway’s career as a writer, he maintained that it was bad luck to talk about writing—that it takes off “whatever butterflies have on their wings and the arrangement of hawk’s feathers if you show it or talk about it.” Despite this belief, by the end of his life he had done just what he intended not to do. In his novels and stories, in letters to editors, friends, fellow artists, and critics, in interviews and in commissioned articles on the subject, Hemingway wrote often about writing. And he wrote as well and as incisively about the subject as any writer who ever lived… This book contains Hemingway’s reflections on the nature of the writer and on elements of the writer’s life, including specific and helpful advice to writers on the craft of writing, work habi
£14.44
Princeton University Press The Scientists Guide to Writing 2nd Edition
Book Synopsis
£19.80
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Seven Basic Plots
Book Synopsis**20th ANNIVERSARY EDITION**This remarkable and monumental book at last provides a comprehensive answer to the age-old riddle of whether there are only a small number of ''basic stories'' in the world. Using a wealth of examples, from ancient myths and folk tales via the plays and novels of great literature to the popular movies and TV soap operas of today, it shows that there are seven archetypal themes which recur throughout every kind of storytelling. But this is only the prelude to an investigation into how and why we are ''programmed'' to imagine stories in these ways, and how they relate to the inmost patterns of human psychology.Drawing on a vast array of examples, from Proust to detective stories, from the Marquis de Sade to E.T., Christopher Booker then leads us through the extraordinary changes in the nature of storytelling over the past 200 years, and why so many stories have ''lost the plot'' by losing touch with their underlying archety
£16.99
Chronicle Books No Plot No Problem
Book SynopsisFor the hundreds of thousands of people who aspire to write a 50,000-word novel in a month, this updated and revised edition of the classic writing guide will inspire, motivate and propel writers of all stripes to accomplish their goal.
£10.44
Harper Perennial Steering the Craft
Book SynopsisFrom the celebrated Ursula K. Le Guin, "a writer of enormous intelligence and wit, a master storyteller" (Boston Globe), the revised and updated edition of her classic guide to the essentials of a writer's craft. Completely revised and rewritten to address modern challenges and opportunities, this handbook is a short, deceptively simple guide to the craft of writing. Le Guin lays out ten chapters that address the most fundamental components of narrative, from the sound of language to sentence construction to point of view. Each chapter combines illustrative examples from the global canon with Le Guin's own witty commentary and an exercise that the writer can do solo or in a group. She also offers a comprehensive guide to working in writing groups, both actual and online. Masterly and concise, Steering the Craft deserves a place on every writer's shelf.
£13.59
Penguin Books Ltd How NOT to Write a Novel
Book SynopsisHoward Mittelmark is the author of Age of Consent. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post and other publications. Sandra Newman is the author of the novels Cake and The Only Good Thing Anyone Has Ever Done. Her writing has appeared in Harper's and Granta, amongst others.Trade ReviewThis writing how-to should carry a warning: it's the kind of book one reads at the expense of all other responsibilities. * Library Journal *A great resource and a fun read with a lot of solid advice for would-be novelists. * Publishers Weekly *
£10.44
Random House USA Inc Video Game Storytelling
Book SynopsisProvides developers with comprehensive, but easy-to-follow advice for facilitating the creation of compelling storylines in popular and narratively successful video games. This book aims to instill an understanding and appreciation of the basic storytelling principles that are essential for producing truly memorable video games.Trade ReviewEvery once in a while I end up reading a book that should be read by almost everyone that I know – whether they actually need to or not. Video Game Storytelling: What Every Developer Needs to Know About Narrative Techniques (published by Watson-Guptill) is one of those books. [It] is a great resource not only for budding writers, but it should also serve as a very important reference for everyone who holds a position in the ever-expanding videogame industry. -- Toronto Thumbs[This] book piqued our interest to an exceptional degree. 'Video Game Storytelling: What Every Developer Needs To Know About Narrative Techniques' is perfect for anyone who is a Developer, wants to get into game development, anyone who is a fiction writer, or anyone who wants to have a greater understanding and appreciation of the fictional game worlds we so much enjoy. -- Digital Mayhem RadioI found it to be both interesting and entertaining, using real-life examples taken from very popular movies and games that most people will be readily familiar with. I feel that Evan Skolnick has a lot to share and I really wish I had the opportunity to attend one of his talks. I would recommend Video Game Storytelling to anyone involved in the game development process - or anyone hoping to get into game development. -- Game Vortex If you’re the kind of gamer who likes to peek behind the curtain of video game development – and you don’t mind picking up a book once in a while – I recommend the new Video Game Storytelling by industry veteran Evan Skolnick. The book is aimed primarily at game developers, but it’s fascinating stuff for anyone interested in games as a storytelling medium. -- News & Observer Skolnick broke down the basic structure of video game storytelling into various parts that highlighted the importance of each and how they could be applied to video games. There’s a lot of information that’s covered, but presented straight-forwardly with plenty of examples of how it was all used previously. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I recommend it to anyone who wants to read it. -- Our Thoughts Precisely The reader is also introduced to the term ludology, or the study of games. Taken from the Latin verb ludere ‘to play’ it is used and expanded on to introduce even the more erudite terminology of, “ludonarrative harmony/dissonance.” Simply put, it describes how story can make or break the player’s gaming experience. It is worth buying the book just to read how Skolnick defines this with concrete examples from past and existing games. -- Gameindustry.comTable of ContentsIntroduction Part I - Basic Training 1. Conflict: The Fuel of Story 2. The Three-Act Structure 3. The Monomyth 4. Characters and Arcs 5. Exposition 6. Believability 7. Dialogue Part II - In the Trenches 8. Team Leadership 9. Overall Game Design 10. Game Character Development 11. Level and Mission Development 12. Environments 13. Engineering the Story 14. Audio 15. Quality Assurance (QA) Afterword Return with the Elixir Appendix I Sample Character Description Document Appendix II Sample Environment Description Document Acknowledgments Index
£14.39
Nick Hern Books Playwriting: Structure, Character, How and What
Book SynopsisFor two decades, Stephen Jeffreys's remarkable series of workshops attracted writers from all over the world and shaped the ideas of many of today's leading playwrights and theatre-makers. Now, with this inspiring, highly practical book, you too can learn from these acclaimed Masterclasses. Playwriting reveals the various invisible frameworks and mechanisms that are at the heart of each and every successful play. Drawing on a huge range of sources, it deconstructs playwriting into its constituent parts, and offers illuminating insights into: Structure – an in-depth exploration of the fundamental elements of drama, enabling you to choose instinctively the most effective structure for your play Character – advice on how to generate and write credible characters by exploring their three essential dimensions: story, breadth and depth How to Write – techniques for writing great dialogue, dynamic scenes and compelling subtext, including how to improve your writing by approaching it from unfamiliar directions What to Write – how to adopt different approaches to finding your material, how to explore the fundamental 'Nine Stories', and how to evaluate the potential of your ideas Written by a true master of the craft, this authoritative guide will provide playwrights at every level of experience with a rich array of tools to apply to their own work. This edition, edited by Maeve McKeown, includes a Foreword by April De Angelis.Trade ReviewOne of the UK's most respected teachers of writing for stage and screen… this book will undoubtedly benefit playwriting hopefuls for generations, with its plain speaking, common sense and accessibility' The Stage; 'An absolute treat, no matter where you consider yourself to be as a writer… a book to return to time and time again, to use as inspiration, to cherish and to gift to other lovers of plays' BritishTheatre.com; 'A masterfully adept and complete guide to not only finding what you want to write about, but also how to do it… each page has at least one piece of invaluable advice that can be taken away and built on... a love letter to theatre and the craft of writing for the stage' Broadway World; 'A detailed, valuable resource for aspiring playwrights and a fascinating read for anyone who loves drama and the theatre' Word Matters - Journal of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama; 'Breaks the art of writing a play into accessible, digestible components without ever patronising the reader or dumbing down… very practical and immensely informative' Ink Pellet magazine; 'A gripping page-turner that will prove the perfect manual for anyone wishing to improve their playwriting skills… this highly readable and very entertaining book will enhance the enjoyment of general readers whenever they visit the theatre or even read playscripts at home. However, its target audience will be aspiring playwrights, who will learn a vast amount' British Theatre Guide
£15.29
Renard Press Ltd Why I Write
Book SynopsisGeorge Orwell set out ‘to make political writing into an art’, and to a wide extent this aim shaped the future of English literature – his descriptions of authoritarian regimes helped to form a new vocabulary that is fundamental to understanding totalitarianism. While 1984 and Animal Farm are amongst the most popular classic novels in the English language, this new series of Orwell’s essays seeks to bring a wider selection of his writing on politics and literature to a new readership. In The Prevention of Literature, the third in the Orwell’s Essays series, Orwell considers the freedom of thought and expression. He discusses the effect of the ownership of the press on the accuracy of reports of events, and takes aim at political language, which ‘consists almost entirely of prefabricated phrases bolted together.’ The Prevention of Literature is a stirring cry for freedom from censorship, which Orwell says must start with the writer themselves: ‘To write in plain vigorous language one has to think fearlessly.’Trade Review'A writer who can – and must – be rediscovered with every age.' Irish TimesTable of ContentsWhy I Write, Note on the Text, Notes, A Brief Biographical Sketch of George Orwell
£6.79
Manchester University Press Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal
Book SynopsisIn this bold and exhilarating mix of memoir and writing guide, Melissa Febos tackles the emotional, psychological, and physical work of writing intimately while offering an utterly fresh examination of the storyteller’s life and the challenges it presents.How do we write about the relationships that have formed us? How do we describe our bodies, their desires and traumas? What does it mean to have your writing, or living, dismissed as “navel-gazing”—or else hailed as “so brave, so raw”? And to whom, in the end, do our most intimate stories belong?Drawing on her journey from aspiring writer to acclaimed author and writing professor—via addiction and recovery, sex work and academia—Melissa Febos has created a captivating guide to the writing life, and a brilliantly unusual exploration of subjectivity, privacy, and the power of divulgence. Candid and inspiring, Body Work will empower readers and writers alike, offering ideas—and occasional notes of caution—to anyone who has ever hoped to see their true self reflecting back from the open page.Trade ReviewOne of Glamour Magazine's 'Top 30 books that everyone will be reading in 2022'One of Lit Hub's 'Most Anticipated Books of 2022'One of NPR's 'Books We Love 2022''Melissa Febos declaws shame in this stunning shrine to memoir and the art of confession. A book to thump whenever someone questions your audacity to gaze upon your own navel.'Jenny Valentish, author of Everything Harder Than Everyone Else and Woman of Substances‘Melissa Febos has written one of the most liberating books on the subject of writing that I can think of. A tender, urgent intelligence, a wisdom that is hard-won, and a rigor born from a love for the craft preside. [...] I learned so much reading Body Work that I can’t wait to teach and use on the page.’Alexander Chee, author of How to Write an Autobiographical Novel‘Ferociously smart and piercingly insightful, Body Work is an instant classic of the how-and-why-do-we-write form. With candor and clarity, Melissa Febos explores the complexities of writing courageously and honestly about our lives. It’s a book I’ll return to again and again.’Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild‘Body Work is the most necessary book about memoir I’ve read. Daring, honest, psychologically insightful, and absolutely whip smart. A must read for anybody shoving a pen across paper or staring into a screen or a past.’Mary Karr, author of The Liars' Club and The Art of Memoir'As far as I am concerned any new book by Melissa Febos is an event, such is her power to reconfigure the way you see things. Body Work is no different. In wrestling down the hows and whys of writing the self, the accountability it calls for and the veil-tearing it demands, Febos displays characteristic fearlessness. Best of all is the company of her voice, which manages to be at once tender and searching, urgent and insightful. Reading Body Work, you suspect Febos might just be able to see into your soul.' Marina Benjamin, author of Insomnia'Exhilarating. A book that fuses the art of writing with the politics of being, the body's witnessing. Essential reading for anyone who writes, anyone who reads, anyone who breathes.'Helen Mort, author of Black Car Burning'A deft, fearless assertion of the right and to tell our own stories. Melissa Febos shows us just how necessary this is.' Katherine May, author of Wintering' Febos dedicates this volume to her students, but it will be of interest to all readers, writers and potential writers of personal narrative, as well as anyone interested in the mysterious way the creative spirit moves through an artist brave enough to engage it, and embrace it in return.'Carmel McMahon, The Irish Times 'This is a wonder.'Publishers Weekly 'Sharp insights from a passionate practitioner and champion of memoir.'Kirkus Reviews'Unlike most craft books that are either lacking in practicality and process or personality, this book is the best balance of both. A must for non-fiction writers and essayists.'The Rumpus'Wide-ranging in its theoretical and historical breadth yet intimate in all ways, Febos's book offers the tools readers need to identify, access, process, and articulate hard-won stories of trauma and of love that their flesh holds.'Library Journal'In Body Work, Febos offers a compelling rebuttal of the accusation that a memoir is simply a diary in print.'Oprah Daily 'I read Body Work much as I read her third book, Girlhood: feverishly, drinking up the frankness and nuance with which Febos documents the subtle and secreted pains of living in an unequal world.'Electric Lit 'This book was a liberating and validating experience – one that I did not realise that I needed, and which will embolden my own writing.'Lucy Cathcart Frödén, The Sociological Review -- .Table of Contents1 In Praise of Navel Gazing2 Mind Fuck: Writing Better Sex3 A Big Shitty Party: Six Parables for Writing About Other People4 The Return
£12.99
Penguin Books Ltd Writing for Busy Readers
Book SynopsisWriting well is for school. Writing effectively is for life. Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink offer the most valuable practical writing advice today. Building on their own research in behavioral science, they outline cognitive facts about how people actually read and distill them into six principles that will transform the power of your writing: Less is more Make reading easy Design for easy navigation Use enough formatting, but no more Tell readers why they should care Make responding easy Including many real-world examples, a checklist and other tools, this guide will make you a more successful and productive communicator. Rogers and Lasky-Fink bring Strunk and White’s core ideas into the twenty-first century’s attention marketplace. When the influential guides to writing prose were written, the internet hadn’t been invented. Now
£21.00
Quarto Publishing PLC Rooms of Their Own
Book SynopsisRooms of Their Own travels around the world, examining the unique spaces in which famous writers created their most notable work. Table of ContentsIntroduction Isabel Allende Maya Angelou Margaret Atwood W.H. Auden Jane Austen James Baldwin Honoré de Balzac Ray Bradbury The Brontës Anton Chekhov Agatha Christie Colette Roald Dahl Charles Dickens Emily Dickinson Arthur Conan Doyle Ian Fleming Thomas Hardy Ernest Hemingway Victor Hugo Samuel Johnson Judith Kerr Stephen King Rudyard Kipling D.H. Lawrence Astrid Lindgren Jack London Hilary Mantel Margaret Mitchell Michel de Montaigne Haruki Murakami George Orwell Sylvia Plath Beatrix Potter Marcel Proust J.K. Rowling Vita Sackville-West George Bernard Shaw Zadie Smith Danielle Steel Gertrude Stein John Steinbeck Dylan Thomas Mark Twain Kurt Vonnegut Edith Wharton E.B. White P.G. Wodehouse Virginia Woolf William Wordsworth Visitor Information Index Picture credits
£15.99
Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd The Sense of Style
Book Synopsis ?Charming and erudite, from the author of Rationality and Enlightenment Now, The wit and insight and clarity he brings . . . is what makes this book such a gem.? ?Time.comWhy is so much writing so bad, and how can we make it better? Is the English language being corrupted by texting and social media? Do the kids today even care about good writing?and why should we care? From the author of The Better Angels of Our Nature and Enlightenment Now.In this entertaining and eminently practical book, the cognitive scientist, dictionary consultant, and New York Times?bestselling author Steven Pinker rethinks the usage guide for the twenty-first century. Using examples of great and gruesome modern prose while avoiding the scolding tone and Spartan tastes of the classic manuals, he shows how the art of writing can be a form of pleasurable mastery and a fascinating intellectual topic in its own right. The Sense of Style is for writers of all kinds, and for readers who are interested in letters and literature and are curious about the ways in which the sciences of mind can illuminate how language works at its best.
£15.20
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Story
Book SynopsisRobert McKee''s screenwriting workshops have earned him an international reputation for inspiring novices, refining works in progress and putting major screenwriting careers back on track. Quincy Jones, Diane Keaton, Gloria Steinem, Julia Roberts, John Cleese and David Bowie are just a few of his celebrity alumni. Writers, producers, development executives and agents all flock to his lecture series, praising it as a mesmerizing and intense learning experience. In Story, McKee expands on the concepts he teaches in his $450 seminars (considered a must by industry insiders), providing readers with the most comprehensive, integrated explanation of the craft of writing for the screen. No one better understands how all the elements of a screenplay fit together, and no one is better qualified to explain the magic of story construction and the relationship between structure and character than Robert McKee.
£31.88
Profile The Artists Way Toolkit
Book Synopsis'Cameron's morning pages have shaped the lives of millions' Guardian'Without The Artist's Way, there would have been no Eat, Pray, Love' Elizabeth Gilbert'Morning pages has become a household name, a shorthand for unlocking your creative potential' VogueTHE ESSENTIAL HANDBOOK TO THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERHailed as the Queen of Creativity, Julia Cameron is the authority on artistic wisdom and has transformed the lives of millions around the world. Guiding readers to the heart of their practice, here she presents her indispensable Artist's Way toolkit of Morning Pages, Artist Dates, Walks and Guidance, along with never-before-seen insights and affirmations designed to spark purpose.Laying out the Artist's Way philosophy into a precise and accessible collection of ready-to-use steps, readers will access their inner voice, experience deeper intuition and ultimately meet themselves - and others - on the pathway to self-discovery. Used together as part of a spiritual practice, these tools form the bedrock of artistic expression and illuminate the way for any creative journey.
£11.69
Frontinus Ltd Studying Creative Writing
Book SynopsisWhat can you expect from a creative writing course? What skills do you need to develop? How can you make the most of your degree course - and the opportunities it can create? This book is designed to answer those questions. It explains how to: * learn from other writers, workshops, and online study; * develop ideas and edit your own work; * present your writing and reflect on it; * understand and meet assessment requirements; * apply your learning to life after the course.Trade Review"Studying Creative Writing is the fourth in an international series of books entitled Creative Writing Studies. It is aimed at prospective and current students and those who teach writing in higher education. The book is structured into eleven chapters, each authored by a different teacher-writer. At first glance, the title of this text makes it seem relevant to a very narrow audience. Upon reading, however, it becomes evident that the book is of interest and use to those studying, teaching, and/or practicing writing before, during or after tertiary education - Studying Creative Writing reveals the complexity, rigour and benefits of becoming a writer through higher education. This book shows how learning to read and write in a creative and critical manner, in a structured and supportive environment, not only develops professional writers, but people who are not only multiskilled but have explored the fundamental questions of who they are and what they think about life. Whilst this book is clearly most relevant to teachers and current or future students of creative writing, practising writers may find it a useful resource at specific moments in their career or on a particular project. Despite its defensive opening, and despite how the chapters sometimes seem illogically ordered, this book offers a rich and varied introduction to what is a rich and varied field of study." Helen Gildfind,TEXT Vol 18 No 1 April 2014. "Students new to creative writing are often uncertain about what to expect and how they might cope. Studying creative writing (ed Sharon Norris) provides essays designed to infuse new students with knowledge and hence confidence about every aspect of their studies: how to read, how to write,how to engage with critique, and how to face assessment. Each contributing writer has an engaging, accessible voice, and the book as a whole is a marvellous tool for all students of writing" - Professor Jen Webb, University of Canberra, August 2013.Table of ContentsEditor's preface; 1.What to expect of a creative writing degree by Sharon Norris; 2.The skills you'll need to study creative writing by Ally Chisholm; 3.The importance of reading to your writing by Shawn Shiflett; 4.Pre-writing: how to use journals, notes and plans to improve your writing by Lorna Fergusson; 5.Workshops: what they are (and aren't) and how to make the most of them by Jennifer Young; 6. Online learning and how it can help your work by Elizabeth Reeder; 7. The role of editing and redrafting, and how to do both by Spencer Jordan; 8.'Reading aloud: making the most of your work when you present it' by Nabila Jameel; 9. The role of critical reflections and how to write them by Sharon Norris; 10. Assessment: how it's done and its implications for your work by Helen Kidd; 11. What happens next? How to proceed after graduation by Sally O'Reilly; Bibliography; Index.
£13.50
Dover Publications Inc. The Elements of Style
Book SynopsisThis is the book that generations of writers have relied upon for timeless advice on grammar, diction, syntax, and other essentials. In concise terms, it identifies the principal requirements of proper style and common errors.
£5.59
The Crowood Press Ltd Crime Writers Guide to Police Practice and
Book SynopsisThis new, fully updated edition is the essential detective in your pocket - something to reach for when your writing needs that short, sharp shock of modern-day investigating. Written with answers to these questions in mind, this is the essential guide to police procedures and practice written specifically for writers.Trade ReviewThis is an easy, informative read that ...succeeds in its aim of helping writers negotiate the sometimes murky world of criminal investigations.' Crime Review 'If you are a budding Ian Rankin or Val McDermid but have never been in 'The Job', I advise you to read this book now and save your blushes when someone points out the glaring errors in your masterpiece. -- Police History Society reviewer * Police History Society Newsletter *
£10.44
Shambhala Publications Inc Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within
Book SynopsisPresents advice on how to write creatively, discussing the importance of discipline and offering a series of writing exercises.
£14.39
Granta Books In Writing
Book SynopsisBased on Crisell's popular podcast of the same name, here is an inspiring and fascinating glimpse into the creative process - with some of our best-loved contemporary writers
£15.29
Rockridge Press How to Write Poetry: A Guided Journal with
Book Synopsis
£14.44
Seven Stories Press,U.S. Pity The Reader
Book SynopsisThe art and craft of writing by one of the few grandmasters of American literature.
£14.39
Cengage Learning, Inc Our World 5 British English
Book SynopsisTable of ContentsUnit 1: Extreme Weather Unit 2: Copycat Animals Unit 3: Music in Our World Units 1-3: Review Extended Reading: Animal Predictions? Let���s Talk! Unit 4: Life Out There Unit 5: Arts Lost and Found Unit 6: Amazing Plants! Units 4-6: Review Extended Reading: Attack of the Extraterrestrial Plants! Let���s Talk! Unit 7: Volcanoes Unit 8: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Unit 9: Wonderful Holidays! Units 7-9: Review Extended Reading: Surviving Krakatoa Let���s Talk! Irregular Verbs Cutouts Stickers
£28.50
Bloomsbury Publishing USA The Poetry Reader
Book Synopsis
£17.09
A Public Space Tolstoy Together: 85 Days of War and Peace with
Book Synopsis?You know how, very occasionally in your life, there?s a ?before and after? reading experience? Well, reading War and Peace with Tolstoy Together has been that for me?a milestone not just in reading but in living.??Michael LanganFrom the acclaimed author of Dear Friend, from My Life I Write to You in Your Life, a book about the art of reading. In Tolstoy Together: 85 Days of War and Peace, Yiyun Li invites you to travel with her through Tolstoy?s novel?and with fellow readers around the world who joined her for an online book club and an epic journey during a pandemic year.?I?ve found that the more uncertain life is,? Yiyun Li writes, ?the more solidity and structure War and Peace provides.? Tolstoy Together expands the epic novel into a rich conversation about literature and ways of reading, with contributions from Garth Greenwell, Elliott Holt, Carl Phillips, Tom Drury, Sara Majka, Alexandra Schwartz, and hundreds of fellow readers.Along with Yiyun Li?s daily reading journal and a communal journal with readers? reflections?with commentary on craft and technique, historical context, and character studies, Tolstoy Together: 85 Days of War and Peace includes a schedule and framework, providing a daily motivating companion for Tolstoy?s novel and a reading practice for future books.
£14.39