The Everything Creative Writing Book: All you need to know to write novels, plays, short stories, screenplays, poems, articles, or blogs

355 Pages·2010·1.55 MB·English

by  Wendy Burt-thomas

Letter to the Reader
THE
CREATIVE WRITING BOOK, Second Edition
Dear Reader,
When I was in grade school, I wrote plays that my classmates and I would
perform for the younger kids. I was thrilled to have people entertained by my
writing, even if they were kindergarteners. I also wrote silly poems about my
friends and would read them aloud in class. Afterward, I’d have a gaggle of
fourth-graders seeking commissioned work. “Write about me next time!” they’d
beg. I was hooked.
But the moment that pointed me toward the path to becoming a writer came
from a poem that I wrote at age sixteen. My father (also a writer) had submitted
it to a magazine and I had no idea—until I received an acceptance letter and a
check. In that moment, I knew people cared what I had to say; that the words I
chose, organized, and typed onto a piece of paper were of value (ten dollars, to
be exact).
I hope this book reminds you that your words have value—whether
published or not. Perhaps you’ll reconnect with your childhood love for writing,
or maybe begin a new courtship. Either way, enjoy the journey. And if you
happen to entertain people along the way, even better.
Sincerely,
Wendy Burt-Thomas
Welcome to the Everything Series!
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Title Page
THE
CREATIVE WRITING BOOK,
SECOND EDITION
All you need to craft well-written and
marketable stories, screenplays, blogs, and more
Wendy Burt-Thomas
Avon, Massachusetts
Dedication
This book is dedicated to new writers who are eager to learn, and the
experienced writers who believe there are plenty of opportunities to go around.
Contents
Top Ten Ways for New Writers to Get Published
Introduction
Chapter 1. Preparing to Write
Chapter 2. The Short Story
Chapter 3. The Novel
Chapter 4. Books for Prereaders
Chapter 5. Books for Children and Young Adults
Chapter 6. The Screenplay
Chapter 7. Blogging
Chapter 8. Functional Nonfiction
Chapter 9. Literary Nonfiction
Chapter 10. Poetry
Chapter 11. Getting Ideas
Chapter 12. Planning
Chapter 13. Researching
Chapter 14. Organizing
Chapter 15. Rhetorical Devices
Chapter 16. Word Usage Pitfalls
Chapter 17. Drafting
Chapter 18. Editing
Chapter 19. Evaluating
Chapter 20. Overcoming Writer’s Block
Chapter 21. Working with Others
Chapter 22. Getting Published
Appendix A. Writing Samples
Appendix B. Writing Resources
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Jane Friedman for your faith in me, to Lisa Laing for being so easy
to work with, and to my family for reminding me that there is life outside of
work.