Topic ID: 10750
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Shafter
I'm just eighteen for a moment...
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 Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 4:06 am Post subject: |
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"Stein on Writing" and "How to Grow a Novel" by Sol Stein. I can't recommend these highly enough!! Inspirational, helpful, great reads. I keep both on my desk and turn them to random pages when I'm stuck.
Also, "Self-Editing for Fiction Writers" by... oh gosh, I can't remember. Brown and King, I think? It offers a lot of practical advice and lots of checklists for your writing. |
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Dream Deep
ostranenie ljepotica
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| Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:29 am Post subject: |
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| Monica Wood's The Pocket Muse is one of the simplest, most enjoyable, most purely inspiring writing books I've read in ages. I encourage you to spend the twelve dollars. ^_~ (Yes, it's highway robbery, but it's worth it.) |
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"Those who can breathe the air of my writings know that it is an air of the heights, a strong air. One must be made for it. The ice is near, the solitude tremendous – but how calmly all things lie in the light! How much one feels...!" - Nietzsche |
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Ani May Queen
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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Hands down, no questions asked the best book on writing is:
78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published and 14 Reasons Why It Just Might by Pat Walsh
Or actually, I think it might be more on publishing. But still, very helpful. |
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Goldenheart
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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I've rifled through so many writing books, I can barely recall what they said. Some that stood out, though, were
'The Writer's Guide to Fantasy Literature, from Dragon's Lair to Hero's Quest.'
That one was amazing.
Gail Carson Levine's 'Writing Magic' was good too. Anyone ever read 'Spunk and Bite'? It's a commentary of sorts on Strunk and White's 'Elements of Style'. Wonderful. It's on my desk right now. |
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OnCeUpOnAtIm3Xo
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| Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:20 pm Post subject: |
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| I think its called The 3 A.M. Epiphany its really good though. It's a book full of writing excercises and it really really really good! It teaches you how to make your writing better. I've only done a few writing excercises so far - but it has definitely helped! |
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Darn you Writer's Block! Darn you to the greatest pits of heck!
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PerforatedxHearts
known as Serena.
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| Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2007 1:42 am Post subject: |
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| Story Structure Architect was really helpful, but it went too much in the technicalities of plot. Character-driven plots are more realistic, but of course that depends on the genre you want to go into and how "commercial" you want your book to be. |
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Golney
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| Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:47 am Post subject: |
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| How to Write Science-Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card, Story by Robert McKee (Story is actually a book targeted from screenwriting, but it's applicable to writing novels, as well), Characters and Viewpoints by Orson Scott Card, and that's all that really comes to my mind, at the moment. |
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Jasmine Hart
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| Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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| "Chapter after chapter" by Heather Sellers is great for longer projects. I love it. |
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VidaFacil
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| Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Well, I read a book called: Writing well. It teaches you more about grammar and school stuff, but it is cool! |
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GryphonFledgling
How you've turned my world, you precious thing...
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| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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"Stein on Writing" - by Sol Stein
"Revision" - by Kit Reed
I'm not much of one for buying books - more of a library girl myself - but these are two books that I would hugely recommend purchasing if you are a writer.
Kitkat already has "Writing Magic" - I think that can be used for any age group. I wrote myself a pretty damn good short story (at least I like to think so) based on one of her prompts. |
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Kraemer
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| Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 3:17 am Post subject: |
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Sin and Syntax I forget who its by....
It's a book on how to write good prose. I honestly find that the most lacking thing on this website. It's cool because it doesn't teach you the rules persay, you should know those after going through high school. It teaches you when to bend the rules, or even rip them into shreds and burn them as a sacrifice to your book. It's Excellent.
Another I liked was Sometimes the Magic Worksby Terry Brooks. Very good book from a published author. |
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Conrad Rice
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 2:19 am Post subject: |
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I have to agree with the other people who've said On Writing by Stephen King.
Not only does he discuss the finer points of writing, such as grammar, usage, storytelling, editing, and the like, but he does it in a conversational, down to earth tone that is very easy to understand.
Plus, half of the book is also a memoir. It's interesting to see just how such a well published author got to that point. Of course, that's just a personal interest of mine. |
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deafwriter_19
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:15 am Post subject: |
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| The Everything Book On Writing A Novel. My parents got it for me for Christmas and it has literally--no pun intended--everything! |
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I don't have to be a great person. I have to be a great writer. |
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Gahks
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:38 am Post subject: |
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Teach Yourself Creative Writing, Dianne Doubtfire. Full of wondeful insight.
My personal favourite however is The Five-Minute Writer by Margret Geraghty. I love it; it's refreshing and packed with unique and interesting exercises. You pick one to do for five minutes a day. There are over 50 of them! |
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Robin
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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The Curious Writer by Bruce Ballenger
I had to use this first semester for my writing 1010 class... It's not one of those books that's all technical or "do this, this, this and this". It's very laid back and helpful. |
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The test of a good story is how much “good stuff” you can cut out of it...that is, "fine writing" that was just showing off and not moving the story ahead. |
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