Creative Writing and Stylistics: Creative and Critical Approaches

by Jeremy Scott

In this innovative fusion of practice and criticism, Jeremy Scott shows how insights from stylistics can enrich the craft of creative writing. Focusing on crucial methodological issues that confront the practicing writer,
Creative Writing and
- Introduces key topics from stylistics
- Provides in-depth analysis of a wide range of writing examples
- Includes practical exercises to help develop creative writing skills
Clear and accessible, this invaluable guide will give both students and writers a greater critical awareness of the creative possibilities of language.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Grad School

248 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2013

Reviews

[Amber McGinnis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This text has good ideas, but you have to wade through the academic speak to get there. Inaccessible to younger readers, I would have completed tossed this text in my younger academic days. I find it appalling that someone can write a textbook about writing and use an eight-line sentence that could essentially have driven home the same point in six words. Only read this book if you have to (e.g. for a class).

[Marissa Brantley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good information but needlessly complicated. He kept clarifying himself. "That is to say..."
It would be easier to read if he wrote it clearly once and moved on.

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great text book and really applicable to the course I read it for, which is surprisingly rare. I am a linguist so I appreciated the author's linguistic approach, but found the writing a bit inaccessible and pretentious at points.

[Deanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great resource, but almost impenetrable because of the writer's unnecessarily complicated writing style. If you believe that most great writers are great by instinct, reading this book is like taking a trip inside the sausage factory. This book's premise is that, like an aspiring artist, an aspiring writer can learn and use the stylistic tools of the trade (character development, narrative structure, figurative language, etc.) with practice and an academic understanding of what she is doing. Who am I to dissuade anyone from his beliefs?

[Jenna Scioli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible. Scott brings linguistics and psychology into many techniques commonly discussed in creative writing in a way that is nuanced and original. He is also tongue in cheek and a clever narrator, which makes the text a joy to read despite the sophistication of the subject matter. I loved this and learned so much.

[Chelsea Usher · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pretentious academia speak is hard to navigate. Although it provides a lot of good ideas and key vocabulary for the writer, it's absolutely inaccessible for most readers.

[Bret Praxmarer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very dense - seems like the author was trying to show off - long sentences over used - ver academic vocab - a difficult read with very little upside.

[Kellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic source for those looking for the advanced fundamentals of writing. It is very difficult to understand if you are just starting out in the literary world, and the author goes off on many tangents that make it difficult to keep track of what he's really saying. I honestly wish this book was not the textbook of choice by my most recent instructor.

[Dan Beliveau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grad school theory textbook.
A bit pedantic and full of himself, but overall a good look into writing and stylistics. I don't recommend it unless you're really into writing.