The Writer's Way: A Complete Guide to Creative Writing with 40 Inspirational Projects

by Sara Maitland

"When the cook takes the shopping out of the bag and puts it on the table, when the potter digs a lump of clay out of the clay bin and slaps it onto the wheel, they do not think the work is done. Raw vegetables and meat are not a casserole; a lump of clay is not a bowl. An outline, some brilliant images, a first draft is not a work of literature: it is the crude material that you, the writer, are going to work on and from which you hope and plan to produce a piece of writing.  That means you can not expect a first draft to be great writing any more than you would expect raw flour to be tasty. You have to work your material like any other artist does." ?Sara Maitland, The Writer’s Way

 

 The Writer's Way is a comprehensive and rewarding introduction to the art of creative writing.  Its no-nonsense yet accessible tone and practical contents make it the perfect guide, whether you are a raw beginner or you have started writing and are looking for friendly guidance to help develop your talent. 

Whether you read it in one sitting, or take your time working through the exercises as you go, this is a terrific book to get you going, and keep you going, on the writer's way.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

243 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 17, 2005

About the author

Sara Maitland is a British writer and academic. An accomplished novelist, she is also known for her short stories. Her work has a magic realist tendency. Maitland is regarded as one of those at the vanguard of the 1970s feminist movement, and is often described as a feminist writer. She is a Roman Catholic, and religion is another theme in much of her work.

Reviews

[Laura McHarrie]

Part of the reason why I have not committed to writing in the past is that I was not sure that I have anything special to say, or anything that is new, or even that interesting. So I joined up with some Blog buddies and had been Blogging for about seven months. The idea was that if I just get started I might develop my creative writing style and more importantly my imagination.

Now I want to learn the art of writing creatively some more; so having picked up Sara’s book, I have shared my learning with my Blog readers. I managed to almost complete the excellent exercises that Sara suggests in her book before life got in the way. I will finish the last 2 chapters at some point! Honest.

[Claire]

This book nurtured the creator within, and told her she could do it.

[Fredrick Danysh]

A motivational book for writers that gives tips on the process. There are writing exercises for the budding writer throughout the book to go along with the authors presentation.

[Ash]

Had to DNF because I just couldnt get into it.

[Sedna Dragon]

Thiz was an informative book that gave me things to think about. Especially as a writer and I do think that those that want to start writing should read it too.