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04-27-2006, 08:09 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Gender: Male
Posts: 15
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Writing Well Books
Hi,
Does anyone know of any books that will teach you to write well? I'm mostly looking into Creative Writing but I'm also looking into a bit of Journalism as well. I've heard that Writing Fiction: The Practical Guide is good but I'm thinking of getting more than one 'Newbie's Guide'. I've read the Writing 101 thread in the Writing Tips & Advice forum (and it's been a great help!) but I'm also looking to expand. So, any suggestions? Thanks in advance to anybody who can help out! |
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04-27-2006, 09:53 PM
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#2
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Wordsmith
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Back 'home' on Tinian!
Gender: Female
Posts: 11,445
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i would never recommend any how-tos on writing, other than for screenwriting, where it's necessary... the only books you should read/study to learn how to write well are the best works by the best [not the most popular!] writers of all time... only by absorbing what truly good writing looks, reads, and sounds like, can you learn how to write well...
__________________
For 100% free writing help/mentoring:
www.saysmom.com
"You must BE the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi
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04-29-2006, 07:11 AM
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#3
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Addict
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Gender: Female
Posts: 146
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As mammamaia said, you should just read and gain knowledge. But if you really want a book just giving tips, I suggest "The Writer's Handbook".
Other than that, you should just write, since that's what all writers do.
__________________
"Er... no? Unless cold water is hiding some odd stimulant that I'm not aware of."
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04-29-2006, 08:09 AM
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#4
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Addict
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Gender: Male
Posts: 129
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Read through books, pick out sections you really, really like, and break them down like you would in English - find out why that section appeals to you so much: the word choice? the syntax? the tone? what is it about that pasage that is so good? When you can recognize greatness, you can replicate greatness...hopefully in your own style.
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04-29-2006, 06:44 PM
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#5
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Scribe
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Alabama
Gender: Male
Posts: 75
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I've read Teach yourself Creative Writing (ISBN 0071419594) and The Everything Guide to Writing a Novel (ISBN 9781593371326). They were very helpful. Teaching Yourself Creative Writing delt with all categories of writing. But I wanted to learn more about novel-writing, so I bought EG to Writing a Novel. Good Luck!
__________________
 Current Novel: Untitled
 Word Count: 2,879/50,000
 Current Reading:
1. The Romanov Prophecy, by Steve Berry-5/5
2. A Separate Peace, by John Knowles-2/5
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05-04-2006, 05:47 PM
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#6
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Prolific Writer
Join Date: Dec 2005
Gender: Male
Posts: 207
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Gotham's Writer's Workshop: Fiction Writing was the text used by my creative writing class. It's a good text, and one I will keep instead of selling back to the bookstore. It's probably pretty close to what you're looking for: full of exerpts, exercises, and explanations of short story and novelette fiction writing.
EDIT: I just realized you linked that book in your post. Maybe I need to learn how to read.
But I've found the Gotham Writer's Workshop series to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable, if you spend time and do the exercises in them. My Creative Writing teacher taught us nothing this semester, but this book and our poetry book were amazing.
__________________
Review my latest works: The Forgotten: Part: 1 (more coming soon)
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Last edited by Dresdor : 05-04-2006 at 05:49 PM.
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05-04-2006, 11:51 PM
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#7
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Writer
Join Date: Apr 2006
Gender: Male
Posts: 36
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Hey,
You should definately read ON WRITING by Stephen King...it's an excellent guide.
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