Creative Writing For Dummies

Develop the writing know–how that will keep your readers hooked Do you have an idea for a novel (or a poem, or an article, or a play) that you′d love to finally get down on paper? Whatever your aim, inside you′ll find the advice and support to get you started and keep you going. From preparing a writing work–space to marshalling your material into both fiction and non–fiction genres, Creative Writing For Dummies has everything you need to help you unlock your creativity and make your writing sparkle. So, you want to be a writer – pick and choose between genres, gather the materials you need and develop the right routines He said what? When? – discover how to fit character, voice, dialogue and plot together Telling tales – differentiate between novels, novellas and short stories, write plays for the stage or screen, wax lyrical in poetry or dip into children′s writing Matters of fact – blog about anything and everything, break into journalism, and let life stories, narrative non–fiction and travel writing leap off the page From pastime to profession – crack the world of publishing and go professional with your hobby "Learn from one of the best editors and teachers in the business. She pushed my writing to award–winning status." – Dreda Say Mitchell , author of Running Hot , winner of the CWA John Creasey Dagger Award in 2005. Open the book and find: Exactly where your writing talents lie Why you need to be a good reader to become a good writer What turns words on a page into sparkling conversation Ways to weave character, plot and structure together All the different sub–genres of novel–writing – from thrillers to chick–lit The secrets of successful blogging Editing tips that all writers can benefit from The inner workings of agencies and publishing houses

Introduction 1 Part I: Getting Started 7 Chapter 1: You and Your Writing 9 Chapter 2: Getting into the Write Mind 27 Chapter 3: Finding Material to Work With 43 Part II: Introducing the Elements of Creative Writing 55 Chapter 4: Creating Characters 57 Chapter 5: Discovering Dialogue 71 Chapter 6: Choosing a Narrator 83 Chapter 7: Describing Your World 97 Chapter 8: Plotting Your Way 109 Chapter 9: Creating a Structure 127 Chapter 10: Rewriting and Editing 141 Part III: Writing Fiction 153 Chapter 11: When Less is More: Crafting Short Stories 155 Chapter 12: Writing the Novel 169 Chapter 13: Once Upon a Time: Writing for Children 183 Chapter 14: Penning Plays 195 Chapter 15: Writing Screenplays 207 Chapter 16: Rhymes and Reasons: Writing Poetry 219 Part IV: Exploring Non–Fiction 231 Chapter 17: Breaking into Journalism 233 Chapter 18: Writing from Life 245 Chapter 19: Crafting Narrative Non–Fiction 263 Chapter 20: Travel Writing: Tales for Armchair Explorers 273 Chapter 21: All About Blogging 281 Part V: Finding an Audience 289 Chapter 22: Finding Professionals to Publish Your Book 291 Chapter 23: Becoming a Professional 311 Part VI: The Part of Tens 325 Chapter 24: Ten Top Tips for Writers 327 Chapter 25: Ten Ways to Get Noticed 333 Chapter 26: Ten Pieces of Writing to Inspire You 339 Index 347

Maggie Hamand is a novelist, non–fiction author and journalist. In 1998, Maggie founded the hugely successful Complete Creative Writing Course at the Groucho Club in London, and has been teaching there since: her students have included many published authors. She is the author of two novels, The Resurrection of the Body and The Rocket Man .