Creative Writing Exercises For Dummies

Description

Turn your inspiration into a story with clear, expert guidance Creative Writing Exercises For Dummies is a step-by-step creative writing course designed to hone your craft, regardless of ability. Written by the founder of the Complete Creative Writing Course at London's Groucho Club, this activity-based guide walks you through the process of developing and writing in a wide range of genres including novels, short stories and creative nonfiction. The book includes writing prompts, exercises, mind maps, flow charts and diagrams designed to get your ideas flowing. You'll get expert guidance into character development, plot structure and prose, plus extensive insight into self-editing and polishing your work. Whether you're a new writer with a seed of an idea you would like to develop, or are looking to strengthen your creative writing skills, this book has you covered. Covering every aspect of narrative, from setting initial goals to formatting a manuscript, Creative Writing Exercises For Dummies provides the tools and instruction you need to make your story the best it can be. Learn to spark your imagination and sketch out ideas Create compelling characters and paint a picture with description Develop your plot and structure and maintain continuity Step back from your work and become your own ruthless editor The rise of e-books has opened up the publishing world, even to non-established writers. If you have a story you're dying to tell but aren't sure how, Creative Writing Exercises For Dummies is the clear, concise solution you need.

Author description

Maggie Hamand, a novelist, journalist and nonfiction writer, is the founder of the popular Complete Creative Writing Course at the Groucho Club, London, and has been teaching aspiring writers there for 15 years.

Table of contents

Introduction I Getting Started with Creative Writing Exercises 1 Your Writing Project 2 Sketching Out Ideas II Realizing that Character is Everything 3 Developing Your Characters' Backgrounds 4 Creating Drama Through Dialogue 5 Embodying Your Characters 6 Developing Your Dialogues 7 Conveying Characters' Thoughts 8 Exploring Point of View 9 Creating Complicated, Well-Rounded Characters III Painting the Picture with Description 10 Navigating the Locations in Your Stories 11 Appreciating the Power of the Senses 12 Getting Things Done: Describing Action and Activity 13 Building Character with Objects and Possessions 14 Using Description to Create Atmosphere and...and...Suspense! 15 Managing Metaphor, Similes and Symbols 16 Describing the Ineffable: Saying What Can't Be Said IV Developing Your Plot and Structure 17 Writing a Gripping Opening 18 Plotting Your Way to Great Stories 19 Making Good (Use of) Time in Your Writing 20 Structuring a Longer Work of Fiction 21 Tightening the Tension to Enthral Readers 22 Expanding Your Ideas into Larger Narratives 23 Approaching the Grand Finale: The End's in Sight! V Polishing Your Product: Revising and Editing 24 Reviewing and Rewriting Your Work 25 Whipping Your Masterpiece into Shape 26 Polishing Your Work for Publication VI Part of Tens 27 Ten Top Aids for Writers 28 Ten Great Ways to Stay the Course Index