Creative writing Books

Book SynopsisGive your story a solid foundation—a plot that engages readers from start to finish!The best stories linger in the hearts and minds of readers for decades. These tales gain their power through plots that connect with the audience on both an emotional and intellectual level.Inside Ronald B. Tobias details these 20 time-tested plots. Each is discussed and analyzed, illustrating how a successful plot integrates all the elements of a story. Tobias then shows you how to use these plots effectively in your own work.Tobias then goes to the next level, showing you how to choose and develop plot in fiction. He shows you how to craft plot for any subject matter, so that you develop your work evenly and effectively. As a result, your fiction will be more cohesive and convincing, making your story unforgettable for readers everywhere."Plot isn''t an accessory that conveniently organizes your material according to some ritualistic magic. You don''t just plug in plot like a household appliance and expect it to do its job. Plot is organic. It takes hold of the writer and the work from the beginning." —Ronald Tobias

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Book SynopsisTrish Hall’s essential new work on writing well is a sparkling instructional guide to persuading (almost) anyone, on (nearly) anything. Hall has spent years immersed in argument, passion and trend-setting ideas—but also in tangled sentences, migraine-inducing jargon and dull-as-dishwater writing. Drawing on her experience editing everyone from Nobel Prize winners and global strong-men (Putin) to first-time pundits (Angelina Jolie), Hall presents the ultimate guide to writing persuasively for students, job applicants and authors. Setting out the core principles for connecting with readers, Writing to Persuade combines boisterous anecdotes with practical advice, offering an accessible guide to the art of effectively communicating above the digital noise of the twenty-first century.Trade Review"Writing To Persuade is a stealth guide to manners for living in a world where conversations are as likely to take place in 280 characters on a screen as they are at a dinner table." -- Times Literary Supplement

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Book SynopsisTruth Is the Arrow, Mercy Is the Bow is one of the best books on writing I've ever read. It's also the funniest by a country mile. Richard Russo, author of the North Bath trilogyThe long-awaited craft book from Steve Almond, based on three decades of writing, failing, and trying again.In Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow, Steve Almond shares the insights gleaned from three decades as a beloved teacher and mentor, and a considerably less-beloved literary rabble rouser. His tone is irreverent. His ideas are iconoclastic. And his approach is stubbornly, radically, empathic. The goal is to explode the well-meaning but misguided myths that hold us back from writing our deepest and most honest work, to awaken the joys of storytelling while also confronting how grueling the process can be. Truth features chapters on plot, character, and chronology, but travels far beyond the earnest aims of most creative writing books, with essay

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Book SynopsisThis invaluable fiction writer’s guide is the resource you need to start - and, more importantly, finish - that novel that you’ve been itching to write! Using her tried-and-true methods, writing coach Char arms you with all the knowledge you need to jump feet first into putting your story to paper. Through her engaging instruction, you’ll learn how to craft interesting, complex characters that your readers will root for (or against!), avoid plot holes, pacing issues and other common pitfalls that can trip up new writers, write effective dialogue and so much more! Whether you’re writing a contemporary thriller, a historical romance or anything in-between, Char’s instruction and hands-on exercises will jumpstart your creative juices and help you fight through writer’s block, nail your character’s voice and write effective dialogue and finally finish the novel you’ve been dreaming of.

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Book SynopsisA guide from bestselling author Alice Kuipers on how to write for children and young adultsfrom igniting an initial idea to creating a finished draft

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Book Synopsis ** An accompanying journal to the original & bestselling Almanacs by Lia Leendertz.**The Almanac Journal is a place for you to create your own personal almanac, starting and ending at any point in the year. This is a space to write down all of the things you notice about the year's turning, and your own reactions to it. There are pages where you can note all of the firsts: first swift, first rose, first frost; a place to squirrel away your favourite foraging locations - and to jot down the recipes you create from them. There are also pages for pressed flowers and seaweeds, sketches and pictures, feathers and drying leaves. Make it your own.Lia Leendertz is an award-winning garden and food writer, her reinvention of the traditional rural almanac has become an annual must-have for readers eager to connect with the seasons, appreciate the outdoors and discover ways to mark and celebrate each month.PRAISE FOR THE ALMANACS'Indispensable' - Sir Bob Geldof'The perfect companion to the seasons' - India Knight'This book is your bible' - the Independent 'An ideal stocking filler' - The English Garden 'I love this gem of a book' - Cerys Matthews

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Book SynopsisThe theatre is an essential art form that is forever evolving. A well-written play can make us laugh, cry, cringe, or reflect. It can confirm what we already know, or it can introduce us to new worlds. It can relax us, or incite us to action. Writing for the Stage – A Playwright’s Handbook is a step-by-step guide to dramatic writing. Drawing on proven methods and professional insights, this book explores the mechanics of playwriting and the skills needed to create a compelling story. It aims to help readers understand the art and craft of writing for the stage and avoid some of the pitfalls. Topics covered include defining a play; starting points; the importance of structure; the first draft and rewrites; placing the work and negotiating rehearsals and, finally, the playwright in a devising context.

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Book SynopsisIn The Mathematics of the Breath and the Way, Charles Bukowski considers the art of writing, and the art of living as writer. Bringing together a variety of previously uncollected stories, columns, reviews, introductions, and interviews, this book finds him approaching the dynamics of his chosen profession with cynical aplomb, deflating pretentions and tearing down idols armed with only a typewriter and a bottle of beer.From numerous tales of the author's adventures at poetry readings, parties, film sets, and bars, to an unprecedented gathering of Bukowski's singular literary criticism, the author discusses his writing practices and his influences. The Mathematics of the Breath and the Way is a perfect guide to the man behind the myth and the disciplined artist behind the boozing brawler.Trade ReviewHe brought everyone down to earth, even the angels -- LEONARD COHENA literary immortal * * Time * *He was a man challenging the world, both with fists and words, a provocateur of amazing abilities * * Los Angeles Times * *A master prose writer * * Guardian * *

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Book Synopsis"Holmes could be rude, impatient, abrupt, and his intolerance of fools was legendary. I tried to show all this, all of the man''s incredible brilliance. But there are some cracks in Holmes''s marble, as in an almost-perfect Rodin statue. And I tried to show that, too. It''s difficult for me to say what I may have given to the image of Holmes. Faithful to Conan Doyle''s text, certainly. Also, I''ve tried to bring out the emotion that is there in Holmes. On the surface he seems a cold, sometimes dark, rather off-putting figure. But deeper down, I think, he''s a man of feeling." JeremyJeremy Brett is still recognised as the most celebrated incarnation of Sherlock Holmes which he presented for ten years. Jeremy delighted viewers with his dashing, arrogant, moody interpretation of the most popular famous detective he brought a brooding intensity to his finest role - one of disturbing power. He is still called the definitive Sherlock Holmes. Important Note: This book is an extract from the 468 page biography, ''Jeremy Brett - Playing a Part'' - this book contains the Sherlock Holmes section only. If you already have the full book then there is minimal additional content here. We wanted, however, to make a Sherlock Holmes specific version available.

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Book Synopsis'I was so captivated by this book, so utterly drawn in and overwhelmed by the emotional force of it, that it stayed in my bloodstream, it felt, long after I'd finished it.' Nigella Lawson 'Sharp and engrossing' Roxane Gay As the bookish daughter of a travelling salesman, Jami Attenberg was drawn to the road. Her wanderlust led her to drive solo across America, and eventually on travels around the globe, embracing - for better and worse - all the messy life she encountered along the way. As she travelled she was crafting, grafting and honing her work, piecing together a living and career, and wrestling with a deep longing for independence while also searching for community, and eventually, a place she might want to stay in for good. This remarkable memoir reveals the defining moments that pushed her to create a life, and voice, she could claim for herself. Exploring themes of friendship, independence, class and drive, I Came All This Way to Meet You is an inspiring and singular story of living the creative life, and finding one's way home.Trade ReviewI Came All This Way to Meet You is a love story; it shows us a way to love art and our lives and our souls...It's Eat Pray Love for Nick Cave fans. -- Emily Flake, New Yorker cartoonist and author of That Was AwkwardA wise and witty glimpse behind the travels and travails of one of our most beloved contemporary novelists ... brims with humor, humility, pathos, and intelligence. I gulped down every page and finished sated, as if I'd spent a long weekend with a dear friend. -- Melissa Febos, author of GirlhoodJami Attenberg is undoubtedly a writer's writer and a phenomenal talent ... The book is an embrace. It is a love letter to work and to friendship. I Came All This Way to Meet You is a compelling literary treasure and Attenberg is a real wonder. -- Kristen Arnett, author of With TeethThis stunning work explores home not solely as geographic place, but really a mobile metaphor for the relationships we consistently run to and away from. Jami Attenberg cements her place as one of our greatest, most agile writers. -- Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy and Long DivisionI Came All This Way to Meet You gives a generous and captivating glimpse into Jami Attenberg's work, intellect, and heart. A must not just for fans of her fiction but for anyone who wonders: 'why write, and how? -- Jean Hannah Edelstein, author of This Really Isn't About YouHonest, generous and propulsive. I loved it -- Francesca Segal, author of Mother ShipIlluminating... made me feel like I'd found a kindred spirit. * Red *Whipsmart ... Prepare to be inspired. * Evening Standard *Comic and very human ... a brilliant reminder that being unsure, leading a messy life and, above all, trusting yourself to get where you need to go, can apply to us all * Stylist *Not your average writer's memoir, this one takes in wanderlust, independence and the creative life * Guardian 2022 Books Highlights *Marvellous... I laughed out loud -- Rachel Cooke * Observer *Deeply personal accounts of failure and sadness and how she found her voice as a writer ... Moving * Jewish Chronicle *I have always enjoyed [Jami Attenberg's] deceptively simple writing. Actually it's undeceptively simply. She has a voice that doesn't pretend to be cleverer or weaker than you. -- Sophie Heawood, author of The Hungover Games

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Book SynopsisThe Alchemy is a robust, frank and loving guide to an often opaque industry. As well as offering tips on working in gentle increments and re-imagining what productivity and the work of writing look like, there is advice on sending out work and navigating the industry, looking after your mental health as you go. Full of practical advice, strategies, comfort and the occasional entertaining essay, The Alchemyy is about writing a book when you thought you could not. It is for all writers, but with a particular eye on those who are tired and lacking in confidence, and those who face significant challenges – perhaps you are chronically ill or care for a loved one. It is a book for beginners, but it is also for those of you who are stuck in your habits and practice – perhaps you just need a pal to guide you through the day to day with the book you wanted to write. That’s what The Alchemy is. Let’s do this together.Trade Review'I was completely blown away by The Alchemy. Anna Vaught will liberate you from the trappings of perfection and teach you how to create incredible things from every single piece of you, including all those bits you believed were always holding you back. This is not just for writers: I think everyone should read this book.' (Kat Ashton, Head of Courses, Jericho Writers) '‘The Alchemy is the writing guide we all need: wise, funny, deeply compassionate, it meets us where we are and gently suggests that’s a place where wonderful things can happen. Do not despair – read this instead.' (Shelley Harris, author, lecturer in English Literature and Director of MA Creative Writing Programme, University of Reading) 'This beautiful and empathetic book seeks to recover for writers the immense value of what Wordsworth calls ‘wise passiveness’ that ‘can feed this mind of ours’. It reminds us that not-writing is sometimes a kind of writing, and of the importance of downtime, productive failure and bubble baths. Anna Vaught’s unique writing guide is, above all, an act of kindness to authors everywhere.' (Jonathon Taylor, author and Professor of Creative Writing, University of Leicester) 'LOVED The Alchemy: it’s what every writer and would-be writer needs; a friend who is at the same time knowledgeable, but also kind, funny, compassionate and wise; who knows what it’s like to feel insecure, but who has been through every kind of fire, and has come out indestructible.' (Joanne Harris)

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Book SynopsisPart of the Living and Sustaining a Creative Life series of books. This collection features thirty-two chapters where writers share their insights, offering pathways for others to follow. They delve into how they balance multiple roles, the choices they made, the challenges they faced, and the successes they achieved. 34 b&w illus.

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Book SynopsisCopywriting is easy. Copywriting is hard. It's frustrating, rewarding, draining, thrilling and, in almost every way, a lot of fun.It's also the job Andrew Boulton has been doing, writing about, and teaching others to do, for more than 10 years.Now, he's gathered up all the experiences, observations, lessons, fleeting successes and crushing failures he's accumulated in that time to help copywriters, new and old, come to terms with the baffling life of an alphabet wrangler.

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Book SynopsisThis clear, accessible guide to creating and putting on a solo show is packed with inspiring, practical advice for writers, actors, directors, and anyone who wants to know how solo shows are actually made. Written by two theatremakers with a wealth of experience in the field, it leads you through the whole process – from finding a subject you're passionate about, to developing your ideas and getting the script written, through to rewrites, rehearsals and getting your show on stage. It tackles key questions such as: What makes a 'good' solo show? How do I engage the audience? How should directors and writer-performers work together? And what's the best way of approaching a producer? There's also invaluable advice on looking after yourself, coping with anxieties, dealing with reviews, and taking your show to the Edinburgh Fringe. With practical exercises throughout to help you put everything into action, this book is an indispensable toolkit for making your solo show a reality. Lisa Carroll is a playwright, screenwriter and comedian, whose plays have been staged at Soho Theatre, the Arcola Theatre, and the Abbey Theatre, Dublin. Milly Thomas is an actor and writer whose plays have been staged at Theatre503, the Edinburgh Fringe, Soho Theatre, the West End's Trafalgar Studios and New York Theatre Workshop. Together, Lisa and Milly have taught regular solo-show workshops, including for training and creative organisation The Mono Box. The Compact Guides are pocket-sized introductions for actors and theatremakers, each tackling a key topic in a clear and comprehensive way. Written by industry professionals with extensive hands-on experience of their subject, they provide you with maximum information in minimum time.

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Book SynopsisA practical guide to writing radio drama and getting it produced, by a leading radio dramatist and a hugely experienced radio drama producer who have both created award-winning dramas for the BBC. For writers, radio drama offers a remarkable degree of creative freedom, a unique relationship with an audience listening at home or on the move, and a wealth of opportunities to earn a living. But writing for radio is also a very particular craft, with its own distinctive conventions, techniques and pitfalls. And you need to know how the industry works to stand the best chance of getting your play commissioned. This book, written from the dual perspective of a writer and a radio drama producer, tells you all you need to know about: What works well on radio, and what doesn't How to hook listeners from the start, and how to keep them listening How to format your script How to research and contact the right producer for your play What to expect after you've received a commission What happens when you're in the recording studio Full of practical advice, tips and invaluable inside information about the industry, it also includes extracts from many outstanding radio dramas and a series of writing exercises to help put ideas into practice. So You Want To Write Radio Drama? is an essential guide for anybody who wants to write a radio play, whether you're a first-time writer or one currently working in a different medium. It will also be of help to those already involved in making radio drama, or who simply want an insight into how it is written and made.Trade Review'A useful new addition to NHB's eclectic So You Want series. A radio dramatist and a radio play producer, the authors take you step by step through the process, from defining what radio drama is and how it works, to creating your own and, most importantly, the practicalities of marketing your work. It's an inspiring book which left me thinking that perhaps during this bright, shiny new year I ought to hone my creative skills and have a go myself.' * The Stage *'A hands-on guide, ideal for aspiring radio writers. Representing two books in one, it tackles both the initial process of writing a script and the daunting progression to getting commissioned. The authors' passion for radio effervesces throughout and makes for a motivational read.' * Teaching Drama Magazine *

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Book SynopsisA clear, supportive and comprehensive guide to writing a play - based on the author's long-running playwriting masterclasses, as taught at the UK's National Theatre. This book leads you through everything you need to know, including: The theatrical tools and techniques you can use to bring your play to life on the stage (and how these differ from writing for film and TV); Discovering and trusting your writing process, with a range of approaches for developing your initial idea into a completed script; Understanding your characters, including their goals and central conflicts, and using emotional logic to connect them to your story; Finding the dramatic structure and theatrical setting that best suits your play; The key elements of constructing a great scene, including how to handle exposition, invoke tension, deepen characterisation and create effective transitions; Writing engaging, active dialogue by finding each character's voice, balancing exposition with subtext, and rooting what a character says in their specific context Throughout, you'll find examples from classical and modern plays, plus insights from other contemporary playwrights into their own writing journeys. Each chapter provides a set of exercises to help you practise what you've learnt. There's also advice on what to do once you've finished your script - including redrafting, receiving feedback and taking notes - and how to navigate your play's progress towards production. Whether you're an emerging playwright or embarking on your first-ever play, The Playwright's Journey will help you develop your creativity, strengthen your connection to your material, and transform your idea into a fully formed play that feels alive on the page - and the stage.Trade Review'A very, very smart book which left me nodding in sage agreement with every chapter... [Lays] bare the most complex, convoluted ideas with exquisite lucidity, wit and empathy... A substantial and rare aesthetic achievement which every aspiring playwright, producer and director should read and respect' Joe Penhall; 'Kind, good, sane and useable advice, brilliantly written' Blanche McIntyre

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Book SynopsisThe essential playwriting career guide, from the team behind acclaimed new writing theatre company Papatango. Writing a good play is only a small part of making it as a successful playwright; understanding the business side of building a career is just as crucial. Yet most advice for budding writers focuses only on the craft of playwriting, ignoring the practicalities of the industry – which makes it harder for those without connections or know-how to get their work on stage. Being a Playwright sets out, transparently and honestly, all the factors besides writing that playwrights need to know about to succeed. It includes advice on: How to get a script noticed; Which programming and commissioning opportunities to pursue; How to approach agents, companies and collaborators Drawing on Papatango's decade-long experience of discovering and launching successful new writers – who have gone on to win prizes such as BAFTA, OffWestEnd, Royal National Theatre Foundation and Alfred Fagon Awards – this straightforward and accessible book discusses the opportunities and pitfalls of life as a playwright. Whether you're an aspiring writer wondering how to break into the industry, or a working playwright looking to land bigger commissions, this is your insider road map to navigating the world of professional theatre.Trade Review'Very good and very practical… it all feels encouragingly rooted in real experience' * Ink Pellet *'Thorough is an understatement… there is much to learn about and ponder in this extremely well written and laid out volume' * British Theatre Guide *'An effective guide that could make a difference in someone's life… if you've ever wanted to be a playwright this book will give you the tools and hope you need' * Broadway World *'Accessible and informative... an essential tool kit to support the playwright at many stages of writing – highly recommended!' * BritishTheatre.com *

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Book SynopsisPerfect for playwrights and screenwriters of all levels of experience, The Writer's Toolkit will equip you with everything required to kickstart your creativity, develop your craft, and make your writing the very best that it can be. Written by an experienced playwright, screenwriter and producer, this essential book is packed with almost two hundred practical exercises, techniques and ideas for every part of your process, designed to be used either solo or in a group. It includes: Writing warm-ups to focus your mind and get your creative muscles in gear Dozens of exercises to strengthen fundamental elements of your writing such as developing characters, improving dialogue, layering in subtext, creating a strong setting and constructing a compelling plot Immersive-writing techniques to lift the world of your script off the page and allow you to shape it more effectively A blueprint for writing a ten-minute play – a great way to practise your craft, explore a new idea and add to your portfolio A Submission Surgery with exercises and pointers so you can review and fine-tune your completed work before sending it out 101 quick-fire writing prompts to help you warm up, take a break from your current project, or just keep you feeling productive Also included are mindful meditations to use at the beginning and end of your writing sessions, to help you relax, boost your productivity and maximise your creative output. Whatever you need as a writer – whether that’s to crack a problem in your current script, develop ideas for future projects, build up your skills and experience, or bust through writer’s block – this book will give you the right tools for the job. So get writing! 'A generous and inventive book, packed full of the creativity it is bound to inspire' Anna Jordan, playwright and screenwriter (Succession, Killing Eve, Yen) 'An enthusiastic, encouraging guide with endless tips to make every stage of the writing process not only doable but enjoyable too' Diane Samuels, playwright and author (Kindertransport)Trade Review'A goldmine, honest and down-to-earth… Kalburgi manages to achieve more than a theoretical manual on the art of scriptwriting; he invigorates his creatives, cheers them on, and urges them to dust off their notebooks and start scribbling, stirring his reader's imagination with well-calibrated pointers' * Broadway World *'An easy read… there are many themes that will be of value' * British Theatre Guide *'Very practical... a worthwhile book for anyone wanting to tackle a play or film script' * Ink Pellet *

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Book SynopsisWrite Yourself is a complete introduction to facilitating creative writing for therapy or personal development, both with individuals and groups. Clear and practical, and with a strong theoretical base, it is also an essential handbook for individuals embarking on their own personal writing journeys. Topics covered include the nature, values and principles of therapeutic creative writing, how to begin - illuminated with a wealth of examples from the author's extensive and varied experience - and how to write with specific client groups, including children, the very sick, those with mental health or substance misuse problems, as well as those receiving psychotherapy or counselling, and for professional development. Also included are detailed instructions for running a writing group or a longer or residential writing programme, as well as 175 exercises for readers to use in their own personal writing practice, or with their groups or clients. This book will be an invaluable resource for creative arts therapists, professionals working in the caring professionals, and for everyone interested in the therapeutic potential of creative writing.Trade ReviewIn her latest book, Write Yourself, Bolton offers ways into expressive writing, information on writing with specific groups, and detailed advice on how to facilitate writing groups. It is a handbook for anyone interested in the field of creative writing and personal development, which Bolton believes should be an "open and less rule bound field". Nurses, doctors, therapists and social workers are named as potentially "excellent facilitators". It is this feeling of generosity and inclusiveness which infuses the book and Bolton's work. -- Lapidus JournalWriting becomes therapeutic to the extent that it is a way of communicating with the self, and this is where |I believe the book is of particular interest to the counselling profession. -- Therapy TodayPersuading your inner person to tell you your true name is the most intricate and fateful of all quests - but even to venture a little way on it can make your life richly creative. Gillie Bolton's Write Yourself is an essential field guide to all of the territory. -- Les Murray, PoetGillie Bolton's latest book is filled with wonderful and moving insights that speak to the value of creative writing. It is inspiring, challenging and also practical. All those who read it can learn from it how to help themselves and others - trust in the method and give it a try! -- Amanda Howe, FRCGP, Professor of Primary Care, University of East Anglia, Medical SchoolWrite Yourself is a powerful handbook that is the culmination of Gillie Bolton's sustained scholarship and wisdom focusing on therapeutic creative writing for reflective self-insight. Her ideas and practical knowledge provide uplifting support for writing group facilitators, as well as individuals, in exploring practical approaches to expressive writing. This work is an important and lasting contribution to the field. -- John D. Engel, Professor Emeritus of Behavioral Sciences, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of MedicineWrite Yourself is the ideal introduction to how to facilitate groups and individuals in finding inspiration for their creative personal writing voices. This book explains how and why writing is such an illuminative, healing, and cathartic process, and provides many practical exercises that encourage the exploration of emotions, memories and experiences... Clearly exemplified, engaging and accessible, the series is appropriate for therapeutic, healthcare, or creative writing practitioners and facilitators, and for individual writers or courses. -- Tilt MagazineTable of ContentsForeword by Nicholas F. Mazza, Ph.D. Acknowledgements. Preface. Part 1: Creative Personal Writing - What, Why, How, Who When, Where. 1. Becoming Our Own Shaman: Introduction to Therapeutic Creative Writing. 2. 'A Story of Gaining Understanding and Insight': How to Begin. 3. 'I Got in Touch with Myself': Values, Principles, Practice. Part 2:Writing with Specific Groups. 4. 'Secrets Kept Safe and Sound': Children Writing. 5. 'Writing is a Way of Saying Things I Can't Say': Writing with the Very Sick. 6. 'Keep Taking the Words': Writing to Help with Anxiety, Depression and Mental Health. 7. 'Follow the Wings of the Imagination': Writing and Therapy or Counselling. 8. 'Writing Gives us Wings so We Can Fly': Writing in Substance and Alcohol Abuse Treatment. 9. 'Ideas Hunt Me, Catch Me, Make Me Write': Writing for Victims of Torture and Asylum Seekers. 10. A Craft to Take You Through Storms, and Keep You Still': Writing in Prison. 11. Understanding Misunderstanding: Reflective Writing for Professional Development. Part 3: How to Run Groups; Conclusion. 12. Mystery and Mastery: Running Therapeutic Creative Writing Groups. 13. 'It Helped Me Get Involved with Myself': Running Residential Writing Groups. 14. 'Tread Softly Because You Tread on My Dreams': Conclusion, a Conversation Between Juhani Ihanus and Gillie Bolton. Appendix: Writing Exercises by Theme. Bibliography. Index.

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Book SynopsisPoetry and short stories can act as powerful springboards to growth, self-enhancement and healing. With the guidance of a facilitator, participants can engage with their own creative expression, and with that of others, and in doing so find opportunities to voice their truth, affirm their strengths, and find new ways of coping with challenges. This accessible book explores the therapeutic possibilities of poetry and stories, exploring ways of selecting appropriate works for discussion, and providing techniques for facilitating personally relevant and growth-enhancing sessions. The author provides ideas and suggestions for personal writing activities that emerge from or intertwine with this discussion, and explains how participants can create their own poetic and narrative pieces using other media, such as music, photographs, film, paintings, objects, and physical movement. The book references a wide variety of specific poems, short stories and films to use as prompts to creative writing, and contains a useful bibliography of poetry collections, story anthologies and film resources as well as a list of further resources and template feedback forms. Combining theory with a multitude of case examples and innovative ideas for practical, experiential activities, this book is a valuable introduction for creative arts therapy students and practitioners, mental health and medical professionals, and anyone else interested in the healing possibilities of creative expression.Trade ReviewGeri Chavis, long-time leader in the expressive art of poetry therapy, shares her collected wisdom and experience in Poetry and Story Therapy: The Healing Power of Creative Expression. This volume is a significant contribution to the growing literature about the expressive literary arts. A key feature of the book is the author's ability to discuss theory and research, historical antecedents for current poetry therapy, aid readers in exploration of the pros and cons of approaches and selections, and to describe examples and models for use by clinicians and other practitioners... Practitioners who use writing, literary sources, and metaphors in their therapeutic work have a new and wonderful volume to support and expand their efforts. Educators of and coaches for those wanting to learn about the expressive literary arts have a rich, stimulating resource for their efforts. Lovers of literature could pass over all the pages about poetry and story therapy and still get a book of value for the exceptional variety of quotes and references. -- Journal of Poetry TherapyThis is an excellent resource for anyone who is interested in using stories in a therapeutic context. The author's focus is on using a written text or reading aloud from a text rather than oral storytelling however there is still much that is useful for the storyteller.In reading I was reawakened to the potential that stories have to facilitate healing and change lives. Chavis uses stories and poems to work with clients and in the book she outlines how she chooses the texts and works with them. There is a short section on folk and fairy tales and I was interested to read that the author likes to work with client's most memorable story. The reason it is memorable is because it resonates strongly with the client's psyche and can help to reveal aspects that have been suppressed or hidden. -- StorylinesEnvisaged as a "primer of poetry therapy"(primarily for readers outside of the United States), this wonderful book thoroughly explores the therapeutic possibilities of poetry and story, as well as considering some wider aspects of creative writing practice. It will be of interest to both students and practitioners of creative arts therapies within the medical and health professions, as well to those working in other settings that use the healing possibilities of creative expression. -- Lapidus JournalTable of ContentsIntroduction: The Transformative Power of Word and Image. 1. Poems: Springboards to Growth and Healing. Poetry's Special Healing and Inspirational Role. Therapeutic Features of Poetry. Poetry Selection Process. Choosing Therapeutic Poems for Your Files. Selecting Poems for Specific Participants and Settings. Facilitating the Poetry Growth/Healing Experience. Steps in the Poetry Therapy Process. Setting the Tone/Warm Ups. Introducing the Poems. Beginning Discussion - Encouraging Personal Engagement with the Poem. Encouraging Exploration and Self-Application Through Discussion. Incorporating Writing Activities for Exploration and Self-Application. Providing Closure. Illustrating the Process - Two Vignettes. 3. Stories: Stimuli for Personal Development and Relationship Building. The Role and Personal Magic of Stories. Choosing Therapeutic Poems for Your Files. Basic Therapeutic Features of Stories. Fairy/Folk Tales, Fables, Myths and Childhood Storybook Tales. Literary Short Stories. Short-Short Stories or Sudden Fiction. Creative Non-Fiction Memoirs/Vignettes/Anecdotes. Selecting Stories for Specific Participants and Settings. Facilitating the Story Therapy/Growth Experience. Setting the Tone/Warm-Ups. Presenting the Story. Beginning Discussion/Encouraging Personal Engagement with the Story. Inviting Exploration and Application to Self. Creative Writing Techniques in Response to Stories. Providing Closure. 4. Creative Writing for Life Enhancement. The Power of Self-Expression. Setting the Atmosphere for Writing. The Therapeutic Process of Telling Our Stories. Developing Our Personal Waking and Dream Metaphors/Symbols. Word Play and Creating with Linguistic Structures. Creatively Working with Objects. Nature Writing and Healing. Writing to Visual Stimuli. Writing in Response to Film. Melding Art, Music and Movement with Creative Expression. The Power of the Group Poem. 5. Concluding Remarks. Appendix I: Selected Resources. Poetry Anthologies. Story Anthologies. Anthologies with Both Poems and Short Stories. Film Resources. Recommended Websites. Appendix II: Feedback and Report Forms.

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Book SynopsisHow to write a play and get it produced - a manual for playwrights. Playwright and former literary manager Tim Fountain guides the budding playwright over the many hurdles involved in getting a play on - from finding a story that only you know, through the detailed construction of the play, and on to the strategies you can use to get it on stage. • What kind of play do you want to write? • Where do you get your ideas from? • How much exposition do you need? • Where do you find your characters' voices? • What should you do when you get stuck? • Where should you send your play? The book also deals with the actual production: choosing directors, designers and actors, and coping with rehearsals, previews and press nights. Includes appendixes of vital websites, and contact details for new-writing theatres, agents and publishers. 'A marvellous and invaluable guide... full of wisdom and no-nonsense practical advice on the tricky but thrilling business of making plays' Willy RussellTrade Review'A terrific book. Informative and easy to read' * ReviewsGate.com *'Excellent... very practically geared to those writing for the stage today' * British Theatre Guide *

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Book SynopsisWhat is the difference between literal and figurative writing? Is there really a secret set of tricks used by top authors to make their writing even better? Why not use these tricks all the time? This excellent little book, by English literature and creative writing tutor Amy Jones, provides a vital introduction to the essential literary devices used by writers for thousands of years to engage and charm their readers, and better describe their worlds in words. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

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Book SynopsisBehind The Lines is the product of 14 years of working with offenders and people at risk, and based on Michael Crowley's endeavours at using creative writing as a method to improve thinking and behaviour. The book includes: Dozens of exercises and anecdotes Explanation of different approaches Examples of writing by prisoners, both inside and outside of jails. Behind the Lines represents a major contribution to rehabilitative work (in one sense it is the prison-writing equivalent of the highly successful Waterside Press publication, The Geese Theatre Handbook). A Key Resource For Writers in residence Offending behaviour group workers Youth workers Youth offending teams Community workers Psychotherapists Therapists and counsellors Special needs workers and teachers ...and people training or studying in these and related fields.Trade Review'A very useful resource for those working in difficult environments, with students who generally have low levels of traditional educational attainment, negative learning experiences and who, due to cultural and class barriers, are not accustomed to engaging with the arts, either in institutions or outside': Cormac Behan, Lecturer in Criminology, University of Sheffield. 'Essential reading for anyone interested in the real challenges of rehabilitation': Pat Jones, Director of the Prisoners Education Trust (2008-12). 'Shows how you can turn the lead of anger and despair in prisoners into the gold of insight and creativity': Oliver James, author. 'Shows a sceptical world that [young offenders] are capable of reflection, of understanding what led them into the acts they have committed and the effects on other people and on themselves': Alicia Stubbersfield, Poet and Koestler Award Judge. 'A wake-up call to the educational system, which allows so many young people to leave school in the parlous position that he describes, and which creative writers up and down the country are devoting so much time and effort to mitigate': David Ramsbotham.

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Book SynopsisStory and Structure tells the untold story of how story works. Using just six primary symbols, author Leon Conrad outlines eighteen story structures and shows how they all optimally solve the problems which give rise to them. The book also demonstrates the much wider application of story, presenting new insights into story as a dynamic force of life, allowing the reader to access more harmony and flow in their life. Writers, storytellers, creative writing teachers, folklorists, narrative therapists, anthropologists, poets, and readers interested in how story works will all find this book useful and informative. Rethink your idea of story.Trade Review"It's brilliant. I am on my third read through and haven't made any notes. It is informing my thinking and changing it." - Phil McDermott, Founder, The Story Emporium. "Beats Joseph Campbell at his own game." - Simon Heywood, University of Derby. "Genius approach ... Does for story what Foucault did for history." - Alexander Tsigkas, Democritus University of Thrace.

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Book SynopsisHow do you write a novel?Practising novelists and teachers of creative writing reveal their working methods and offer practical advice. Subjects covered range from magic realism to characterisation, surrealism to historical fiction, via perspective, plot twists and avoiding being boring, among many others.This book is forcreative writing studentswriters and readers of novelsteachers of creative writingWith contributions from Leone Ross, Tom Bromley, Jenn Ashworth, AJ Dalton, Nikesh Shukla, Stella Duffy, Mark Morris, Alison Moore, Nicholas Royle, Alice Thompson, Kerry Hudson, Toby Litt, Livi Michael, Joe Stretch, James Miller, Sarah Butler, Will Wiles, Graeme ShimminFeaturingEighteen specially commissioned essaysCreative writing exercisesTop tipsLists of recommended novelsTrade ReviewSome pairings can be relied upon – literature and life, Steptoe and Son, Lennon and McCartney, Nicholas Royle and a good anthology. -- Andrew O’HaganRoyle’s (excellent) taste means that little explosions of weirdness or transcendence often erupt amid much well-observed everyday life. -- Boyd Tonkin * The Independent *The tips are all good, the exercises useful, and the recommended books will give you quite a reading list! -- Graeme Shimmin

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Book SynopsisEverybody knows about Charles Darwin, and many know about others in his family, from Erasmus Darwin and Tom Wedgwood, the first photographer, to composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and poet and radical John Cornford, the first Briton to be killed in the Spanish Civil War. But when Charles and Emma Darwin's great-great-granddaughter, another Emma Darwin, tried to root her new novel in that history, the conflict between her complex heritage, and her own identity as a writer, became a battle that nearly killed her. This is Not a Book About Charles Darwin takes the reader on a writer's journey through the Darwin-Wedgwood-Galton clan, as seen through the lens of Emma's struggle. Along the way, her wry, witty and honest memoir becomes a brave book about failure - and, above all, a book about writing and how stories are told. Richly illustrated with over 40 black and white images.Trade Review'A masterclass in how writers have to learn to fail and fail again before they have a hope of producing something like this book' Kathryn Hughes, The Mail on Sunday; 'Wise, witty, and informative' The Literary Review; 'Charming' The Spectator; 'Refreshingly frank, witty, eloquent memoir-cum-biography-cum-rumination.' Saga Magazine; `Here is the humility, naked courage and fiercely intelligent understanding of what writing a novel takes, and costs, no matter what happens to the finished product. The prize is the dangerous, painful, unwanted knowledge that Emma won at the end of the journey.' Jenn Ashworth, author of The Friday Gospels, Fell, etc, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Lancaster.

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Book SynopsisOne-time teacher and bestselling novelist Joanne Harris has been advising and corresponding with aspirational writers for over six years. This collection of pithy and funny lists of advice provides both hard-won wisdom and insider industry help. All aspects of the writing process and story development are covered - as is the thorny issue of how and where to find readers. From Workspaces and Habits to Plot and Dialogue, these are motivating, problem-solving lists from an experienced and widely respected writer. Uniquely, Ten Things About Writing also takes the reader beyond the stage of finished manuscripts and editorial changes - into the territories of rights, publicity and marketing. Whether you have the urge to write crime fiction or a fantasy novel, literary short stories or blockbuster thrillers Joanne's lists will speak to you.Trade Review'Joanne is not only master of her craft but has the rare gift of being able to explain that craft and offer peerless advice in the clearest, no-nonsense, practical and entertaining of ways.' Matt Haig '[Joanne Harris's] pithy, often very funny advice demystifies writing and the publishing industry for new and aspiring writers.' Cressida Cowell 'Joanne Harris's Ten Tweets have been tiny islands of sensibleness and wisdom. [...] I'm delighted they are going to be collected in one place.' Neil Gaiman 'Joanne Harris's Ten Tweets are a constant source of pleasure, equally welcome to writers and readers. [...] Frankly, they are marvels in miniature.' Ian Rankin

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Book SynopsisWhat motivates poets in the 21st century? How do they find their voice? What themes and subject matters inspire them? How do they cope with set-backs and deal with success? What keeps them writing? Why I Write Poetry, edited by Ian Humphreys, combines lively and thought-provoking essays, along with individual writing prompts to help you create your own new poetry. In this book, twenty-five contemporary poets reflect with insight, wit and wisdom on the writing life. Each offers their distinctive take on what inspires and spurs them on to write poetry. The essays shine a light on everything from performance, dialect, the body and paying attention, to bearing witness, finding your wings and joining the journey of poetry, and encompass the practical, personal, and political. Within these pages, you’ll discover how a poet’s background and values can fundamentally shape and inform their work. New voices sit alongside poets with many collections under their belts and you’ll find encouragement, creative provocations, advice and, above all, reasons to write. Read on, learn and enjoy.With essays by: Romalyn Ante, Khairani Barokka, Hafsah Aneela Bashir, Leo Boix, Vahni Capildeo, Mary Jean Chan, Jo Clement, Sarah Corbett, Jane Commane, Rishi Dastidar, Jonathan Edwards, Rosie Garland, W. N. Herbert, Ian Humphreys, Keith Jarrett, Zaffar Kunial, Rachel Mann, Andrew McMillan, Kim Moore, Pascale Petit, Jacqueline Saphra, Clare Shaw, Daniel Sluman, Jean Sprackland, and Jennifer Wong.

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Book SynopsisThis is a manual for creative writers, but the approaches and exercises can readily be adapted by practitioners working in other media. All of the exercises included here have been foot-tested. Use the book to walk and work alone or in groups, together or separately. Use it to generate ideas, create text and read differently. ​ Walking outside, in varied environments, will offer you novel experiences to draw upon. Many of the exercises here can be carried out in your immediate environment, or if mobility or opportunity are an issue, in your own home. Rescale and adapt at will. Inside the book: Creative walking: ambulant writing exercises: * Sparks. (Use a spark to get started on a walk or to switch things up during a longer walk. ) * Experiments. (Use an experiment to probe deeper.) * Projects. (Use a project to develop a creative piece.) Walking-reading practices: * Walk Like (HG) Wells * Wide Sargasso Walk (Jean Rhys) * Walking with Riddley (Walker) Creative walking-writing: DIY toolkit * Catapults (Use them to help you drift, moving away from familiar routes) * Writing prompts (Use them to see your environment through a particular lens). * Distance Drifts (Use them to explore new spaces or freshen up the familiar). ​

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Book SynopsisSooner or later, most of us get stuck. Feel stuck. Our creativity in crisis... lost, blocked, overwhelmed by work, family, illness. How to find or recover that creative edge? How to get unstuck? For the authors, it began with cancer and stretched into the pandemic. One primarily a writer and the other a painter, they decide to walk together, to talk, write, feed back, reflect and repeat, again and again. They explore trust, openness, motherhood, their willingness to take risks and be exposed, and the particular insights they bring as women. Along the way, they walk and map their way back to creative life. This is their story, but more than that - it's a map for anyone who is feeling stuck. Whether or not you have had a creative practice before (writing/painting/making/crafting), this book will help you find your way into creative expression. The authors offer creative tasks and suggestions in each chapter, and ideas and structures to get you going. But most important, they offer warmth, friendship and inspiration from their own shared vulnerability, struggle, setbacks and muddy walking.Table of ContentsIntroduction: Our Own Creative Recovery Chapter 1: Why are we doing this? Walk 1: Stanmer Park to Chattri Memorial and back Looking back Chapter 2: Accepting Fear Walk 2: Brighton Marina to the Palace Pier and back Our Personal Creativity Inspiration and Play: Enticing your creativity back into the open Chapter 3: New Intentions Walk 3: Chanctonbury Ring - The Return Using your personal archives to reconnect with your creativity Chapter 4: Embracing Uncertainty Walk 4: Balcombe Circular via Ardingly Reservoir Whose voice is it anyway? Accepting our inner critic Skipping past the inner critic: Image making and re-imagining Chapter 5: Covid Diaries Reclaiming Stories Chapter 6: Passing Clouds - Keeping Creativity Moving Final walk: Devil's Dyke to Ditchling Beacon and back In Conversation - Why does this matter? Conclusion: The possibility of change

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Book Synopsis'There are many guides to good writing but none as valuable as this.' Oliver Kamm, author and columnist for The TimesCreative writing can enhance wellbeing, which can enhance creative writing, which can enhance wellbeing ... Become a better writer with over 100 inspiring prompts, insights and exercises specially devised by an award-winning author and creative writing teacher. Discover how the practice of creative writing - being expressive, exploring ideas, crafting words, shaping stories - can also deepen your appreciation of life.Trade ReviewFew writers can share what they know like Elise Valmorbida, and even fewer teachers can write like her. But her greatest talent is her belief in other people's creative potential, and in the potential for creativity to bring happiness. Relevant to both seasoned writers and newbies alike. * John-Paul Flintoff, author of How To Change the World *Beautiful, clear, wide-reaching and hugely generous to readers. * Bryony Lavery, award-winning playwright, author of Frozen *There are many guides to good writing but none as valuable as this. In The Happy Writing Book, Elise Valmorbida... explains with acute insight how to convey your thoughts and ideas to the distant reader, while wearing very lightly her expertise in literary criticism. The result is both a stylistic revelation and a pleasure to read. * Oliver Kamm, author and columnist *Insightful, inspiring and brimming with useful tips, it's the friendliest guide you'll find to being a writer. Elise Valmorbida shows that the writing process, like the reading process, has all sorts of desirable side effects. * Ella Berthoud and Susan Elderkin, authors of The Novel Cure: An A-Z of Literary Remedies *Elise Valmorbida's teaching is life-affirming. She imparts information in a way that is accessible and vibrant. She takes the fear out of writing, and inspires students to discover their own voice. I was already writing when I did a course with Elise, yet I discovered new tones of voice that surprised and delighted me. The Happy Writing Book makes Elise's gifts as a teacher available to all. * Daniela F. Sieff, anthropologist and author of Understanding and Healing Emotional Trauma *Most provocative and insightful. A keen distillation of years' worth of experience, imagination and wisdom - and a delight to read - which will stay with me and keep provoking me. * Warren Coleman, co-writer and co-director of Happy Feet *Elise has been a wonderful writing tutor for Arvon for many years. We know we can rely on her to give our writers the right balance of thoughtful insight and supportive encouragement. This book encapsulates that teaching experience and wisdom. Sure to leave you a Happy Writer. * George Palmer, Director of Communications, Arvon *

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Book SynopsisWith exquisite detail and humble sensibilities, Geoffrey Nutter’s sixth collection of poetry offers myriad delights in language and the imagination. In cityscapes, nature, books, and color, we find respite in the complexities of the commonplace—from clocks to teardrops to moths. The poems in Giant Moth Perishes teach us how to live in the world with curious attention. And at the heart of this daydreaming is a spectacular earnestness, firmly embedded in the idea that the landscape of poetry is limitless and wild.Trade ReviewFor years now, Nutter has been quietly writing some of the most beautiful poems in America. —John Ebersole, Kenyon ReviewThank goodness for Geoffrey Nutter, whose poetry seems to be powered equally by sunlight, virtue, wonder, and humility. —Nate Pritts, Rain Taxi

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book Synopsis

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book Synopsis

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisConquer that blank page staring back at you! 301 Writing Ideas is a guided journal designed to get you writing right away, so you spend less time pondering and more time expressing your true thoughts and feelings. Whether you want to journal your thoughts and feelings, improve your writing skills, or write a novel, let the 301 diverse questions inspire you to get your thoughts out of your head and onto the page. And with so many prompts, you can turn your writing into a daily practice that may even become a lifelong habit. Prompts include: Describe a moment in time when you wished you could disappear. What was the last thing that made you cry? Do you feel fulfilled by your work? Why or why not? Write about a song that reminds you of a time from childhood. With lots of space to write, this journal has a minimal design that will allow your prose to shine and the prompt text to recede into the

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Book SynopsisThe charming 160-page Mushroom Journal is perfect for recording your thoughts and creative ideas.

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