Write: A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful Creative Writing

by Sarah Quigley

This book is designed for the aspiring fiction writer who needs to kick start their imagination. The author is a respected novelist, poet, short story writer and columnist, and in this book she shares some of the ‘tricks of the trade’ she has learned, and offers insights into the creative process, demystifying writing as a form of expression. This is a useful, practical and highly readable guide for the huge and growing market of aspiring writers. Includes a range of charming pen and ink drawings by Gustav Hellberg.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

196 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2006

About the author

There is more than one author with this name
Born in New Zealand, Sarah Quigley is a novelist and non-fiction writer. She has a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford. Her work has been widely published and she has received several high-profile awards.

She has published several novels, two collections of short fiction and poetry, and a creative writing manual. Her new novel, The Conductor, tells the story of the writing of Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony and its historic performance in besieged Leningrad in 1942.

Quigley lives and works in Berlin.

Reviews

[Keri Payton]

Caught procrastinating again? Keep telling yourself that thinking about writing and looking at things is productivity in itself? You need to give yourself a kick in the pants. While you’re at it, why not keep it up for a month? ‘Write’ will help you do just that.

A thirty day guide to writing, this book does something even better than the ones that break down writing into minute steps – it encourages you to write. Sounds silly, yes? After all, aren’t all books on writing aimed at that purpose? The answer is no. You can read a book on writing and when you’ve finished, all you’ve done is read. Fail.

I originally borrowed this book from the library but I’ve since bought my own copy. The idea of the book is to read a chapter every day (yes, the preface counts as a chapter) and mull over the different subjects and complete the writing prompts given. Only, the writing prompts were so deliciously good, I just scoffed them up.

Quigley’s inspires you in each chapter and then pushes you to do something with that built-up inspiration. Instead of just imagining things and playing out fantasies in your head, where you’ve written something amazing, she encourages you to write something. It might not seem like a spectacular feet but believe me, it is.

‘Write’ is a book I’m always keen to return to and would recommend to anyone who finds themselves in a productivity rut.

(From my blog: Quill Café)

In accordance with the FTC, I would like to disclose that I purchased this book. The opinions expressed are mine and no monetary compensation was offered to me by the author or publisher.

[Pam Cummins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book about creative writing. Each chapter has anecdotes and pointers about the creative process and is very easy and informative to read. Useful for people who are looking to write a novel or, like me, just a piece of creative writing which I haven’t done since school. I especially found the writing prompts at the end of most chapters extremely useful.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read and helpful

[Amanda Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great help for anyone who wants to learn how to write a book. Write will both inspire you and give you confidence. It is packed with creative ideas and lots of useful exercises. For example, in the chapter on Heroic Villains and Villainous Heroes you are asked to Write about something you wish you’d never done. Learn about how useful dissembling can be for fictional characters in the chapter, Liar Liar. Read about The Benefits of Neighbours, the importance of Apples and Pears and Conquer the Cliché.

Write is an original, funny and stimulating guide for those writers who believe they may have a book in them.

[Ramona Ezra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book on how to write every day, with plenty of examples and suggestions.