Wording Around with Prose: Getting a First Draft out of Your Head and Onto the Page

by Kathy Mac

Wording Around with Prose provides a how-to guide to prose writing that covers everything from the practical (How to structure a story) to the philosophical (Why write?) with loads more writing topics, resources and prompts in between.

 

During the COVID-19 lockdown in the spring of 2020, poet and creative writing professor Kathy Mac (St. Thomas University, Fredericton) volunteered to teach a free online course called Wording Around with Prose, under the auspices of the Writers' Federation of New Brunswick. Wording Around with Getting a First Draft Out of Your Head and Onto the Page expands upon her notes for that course.

 

"I like the way you teach, keeping it friendly and colloquial. Thank you for that." —Carlos Morales

 

"Wording Around [with Prose] is one of the best creative writing classes I have ever taken." – Linda Glencross

 

"The class was useful, containing a mix of theory and practical advice. I think it is a good first delve into the art of writing." – Rick McConnell

80 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 16, 2020

About the author

Kathy Mac loves dogs; helps run the Odd Sundays Reading Series in Fredericton NB, Canada; published her first ebook “Wording Around with Prose” in 2020, her third poetry book in 2017, and a book of essays (under the name Dr. Kathleen McConnell) in 2012; is starting to envy retired friends though she still enjoys teaching creative writing at St. Thomas University; has won a couple of writing awards and been nominated for more; has brown eyes; used to have brown hair; is somewhat allergic to social media (sorry!); and has a website at kathymacpoet.com.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent resource for those looking to get that first draft of their book completed. It's also useful in many ways for seasoned writers, too, as a comprehensive and easy to read refresher in some of the basics of excellent writing.

I love the way this book compiles and refers to many other books for further in-depth reading on specific topis and areas.

It is definitely a book I'll be recommending to writers looking for where to begin.

[Katy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guide is hugely motivating in getting past the “what ifs” and jumping into your first draft. Each chapter includes writing prompts and extra resources, so you’re really getting your money’s worth and the learning continues! I also love the way the book is organized— plot, characters, conflict, research, and more are all given more than their fair share of consideration. I’d recommend this to anyone struggling to get their first draft onto paper!

[Salima MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a third-year university student who’s read her fair share of books, writing guides and how-to’s can sometimes seem dense and difficult to get through. Obviously, this is something Kathy Mac took into consideration while writing this book, because Wording Around With Prose is anything but! Kathy’s writing style is engaging and colloquial, making this book both enjoyable to read and easy to apply to your own work. This how-to guide is complete with writing prompts and helpful tips—ones that you can implement into everyday writing. An ongoing joke throughout the book is that each prompt might be the most difficult one, emphasizing that prose writing takes time, it’s not something you can get good at overnight!

[Erika Paola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathy Mac wrote a clear and helpful guide to write in prose. This book is different than other "how to write books." Wording Around with Prose goes straight to the point, which might help anyone to become a writer. The book also includes useful resources to continue the writer's journey. Sometimes people think that writing is just sitting and just writing, but it takes time of research, management, and creating good characters for a story. I recommend this book to help you become a better writer, or just to become a writer.

[Caelin Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was an excellent writing guide. I really feel like I’ve learned new skills in how to structure my stories, and I plan to use these skills myself as a fiction writer.