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Creativity Matters: Find Your Passion for Writing
Have you always thought about writing a book but don't know where to start? Are you an experienced author and want to spread your wings? Are you looking for inspiration for every step in your writing journey? This is a book for everyone who wants to write, whether history or contemporary, science fiction or humour, local fiction or set in a made-up world, fiction, non-fiction, memoir, there’s something here for you. Join thirteen authors as they share their passion for why you should write in their genre and find your own passion as you read.It's time for you to spread your wings, follow your dreams and find your passion for writing.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2021
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Wendy H. Jones
46 books66 followersWendy H. Jones lives in Scotland, and her police procedural series featuring Detective Inspector Shona McKenzie, is set in the beautiful city of Dundee, Scotland. Wendy has led a varied and adventurous life. Her love for adventure led to her joining the Royal Navy to undertake nurse training. After six years in the Navy she joined the Army where she served as an Officer for a further 17 years. This took her all over the world including Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. Much of her spare time is now spent travelling around the UK, and lands much further afield. As well as nursing Wendy also worked for many years in Academia. This led to publication in academic textbooks and journals. Killer's Countdown is her first novel and the first book in the Shona McKenzie Mystery series
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 12, 2021
The first thing that drew me to this book is the title. I love it. It resonates deeply with me. As an author myself, I know how important my creativity is when it comes to writing. The second thing was the cover, I felt like it described what my head and heart looks like sometimes, a mixture of colour and various aspects of creativity. I judged this book by the cover and immediately decided - it’s good, it is very very good.
I’m thrilled to say, the content far exceeds the title and cover. It is so true to it’s title. As soon as I started reading this book I was lost in it. There is so much to learn within the pages of this book. It is a compilation of different genres of writing with contributions from various authors, some of which I have the awesome privilege of being in an Association with.
I must commend each and every chapter, they are worth their weight in gold. Intriguing, inspiring and informative. I admit, there are some genres I would not previously have considered writing but having read this book, I’m inspired and encouraged.
My favourite chapter is ‘Why Write’ by the compiler Wendy Jones. All the chapters are great, but because of where I am personally, this chapter resonates most with me. I had to read this chapter over and over again. I learnt so much, I was reminded of why I write, why I should continue to write and why this book is needed - compiled for such a time as this.
This is not a book you read once or in any particular order, you can pick the chapter that best suits or you can read it in it’s order. However you choose to read the book, you’d come away feeling well fed!
I also enjoyed how each chapter started with ‘Why Write’ followed by the book genre. It set the scene from the beginning. Each of the chapters are engaging and entertaining. I felt like I had not only learnt something but I had met someone too. The various authors shared some of their stories and wrote the chapters in a way that made you feel like you’d recognise them if you met them. It’s inspirational teaching at the finest. Raw, honest and impactful.
It is a light easy read, you will laugh sometimes, write notes sometimes, pause to ponder sometimes and maybe feel challenged sometimes, but all in a way that unlocks something in you - a desire to write. It is one of those books you read that changes your perspective and truly helps you discover a passion for writing.
I highly recommend this book as one for everyone, it is not just for authors, or writers to be. It is for every single person. as Wendy shares in the first chapter, we all have a story to tell, we are all writers, we can all write and most importantly we all should. This book has ignited a passion in me, reawakened my creativity and desire to get lost in the world of story telling, to stretch my imagination and find freedom in words.
To conclude this review, I’d like to leave a quote from Wendy that impacted me
“Writing gives free range to our imagination and gives our brain permission to go places that real life would not allow. For established writers, writing in different genres gives a similar sense of freedom. It encourages the writer to use a different type of creativity and sets their imagination free.”
Find your passion for writing, set your brain free and go to familiar places, create new places, get lost in your imagination and enjoy the freedom of the pen. You are the master with the pen, write what you want, how you want and most importantly enjoy the journey.
#CREATIVITYMATTERS
I’m thrilled to say, the content far exceeds the title and cover. It is so true to it’s title. As soon as I started reading this book I was lost in it. There is so much to learn within the pages of this book. It is a compilation of different genres of writing with contributions from various authors, some of which I have the awesome privilege of being in an Association with.
I must commend each and every chapter, they are worth their weight in gold. Intriguing, inspiring and informative. I admit, there are some genres I would not previously have considered writing but having read this book, I’m inspired and encouraged.
My favourite chapter is ‘Why Write’ by the compiler Wendy Jones. All the chapters are great, but because of where I am personally, this chapter resonates most with me. I had to read this chapter over and over again. I learnt so much, I was reminded of why I write, why I should continue to write and why this book is needed - compiled for such a time as this.
This is not a book you read once or in any particular order, you can pick the chapter that best suits or you can read it in it’s order. However you choose to read the book, you’d come away feeling well fed!
I also enjoyed how each chapter started with ‘Why Write’ followed by the book genre. It set the scene from the beginning. Each of the chapters are engaging and entertaining. I felt like I had not only learnt something but I had met someone too. The various authors shared some of their stories and wrote the chapters in a way that made you feel like you’d recognise them if you met them. It’s inspirational teaching at the finest. Raw, honest and impactful.
It is a light easy read, you will laugh sometimes, write notes sometimes, pause to ponder sometimes and maybe feel challenged sometimes, but all in a way that unlocks something in you - a desire to write. It is one of those books you read that changes your perspective and truly helps you discover a passion for writing.
I highly recommend this book as one for everyone, it is not just for authors, or writers to be. It is for every single person. as Wendy shares in the first chapter, we all have a story to tell, we are all writers, we can all write and most importantly we all should. This book has ignited a passion in me, reawakened my creativity and desire to get lost in the world of story telling, to stretch my imagination and find freedom in words.
To conclude this review, I’d like to leave a quote from Wendy that impacted me
“Writing gives free range to our imagination and gives our brain permission to go places that real life would not allow. For established writers, writing in different genres gives a similar sense of freedom. It encourages the writer to use a different type of creativity and sets their imagination free.”
Find your passion for writing, set your brain free and go to familiar places, create new places, get lost in your imagination and enjoy the freedom of the pen. You are the master with the pen, write what you want, how you want and most importantly enjoy the journey.
#CREATIVITYMATTERS
September 12, 2021
‘Creativity Matters’ by Wendy Jones is a handy and useful work of art that impacts anyone who has the calling to be a writer. An array of genres in both fiction and non-fiction, like a buffet, have been presented by carefully selected renowned published authors in their speciality of flash, fantasy, romance, historical , drama, poetry, science, memoir and much more. As W. Jones has said, it is not a’ how to’ book. Reading through the different contributions, it was obvious to me that writers are encouraged to enlarge their coast in terms of variety in their writing, while would- be and new writers are encouraged to become published! By reading each presentation of the different genres, writers and readers develop the - ‘I can try that’ attitude. Wendy Jones, herself has presented here four different genres: Romance, historical non –fiction, Crime and Mystery, making her a multi genre author! This is what writers reading this book are stimulated to become. Why not? As Nanette Fairley advises, ‘ To stay healthy and happy, we need to continue to grow and learn even in our ‘Third Age.’ Find out what the ‘Third Age’ is! My desire to try my hands on Flash and Biblical fiction has been strongly ignited, but it could be different for you!
It could also be that you are not yet a writer because you have not yet discovered where your passion lies. This is the practical book for you. Reading through each author’s Bio, one gleans a lot of information such as offers to teach creative writing to new and aspiring writers. Each chapter begins with a question: ‘Why write…?’ This prompts the reader’s choice to engage in a specific genre after reading convincing and encouraging excerpts, quotes and experiences of what is involved by each contributor. For instance, Fay Rowland says, ‘It is your invention.’ Janet Wilson says, ‘Books help readers feel understood.’ Some books are borne from the writer’s own personal experience as Joy Margetts confirms. Maressa Mortimer tells us that, ‘It is a great way to use imagination.’ Lizzie Ngulube mentions her love for writing memoir and hopes she has instilled that passion in readers! Sub genres are mentioned but what grabbed my attention was my learning of a new genre: Cat Tales! Kirsten Bett quoted Goodreads having 257 best Cat books. So you can write about your own pets! If you are science inclined, A.J Chamberlain’s contribution would interest you. You will also discover as I did, that you don’t need to have studied Creative Writing! Some of the authors are nurses, civil servants, mathematicians and other disciplines.
Like the Bible, which is a compilation of different books to bless readers, I can say that ‘Creativity Matters’ is a highly recommended book worth its 5 stars and you will be greatly blessed to get one for yourself!
It could also be that you are not yet a writer because you have not yet discovered where your passion lies. This is the practical book for you. Reading through each author’s Bio, one gleans a lot of information such as offers to teach creative writing to new and aspiring writers. Each chapter begins with a question: ‘Why write…?’ This prompts the reader’s choice to engage in a specific genre after reading convincing and encouraging excerpts, quotes and experiences of what is involved by each contributor. For instance, Fay Rowland says, ‘It is your invention.’ Janet Wilson says, ‘Books help readers feel understood.’ Some books are borne from the writer’s own personal experience as Joy Margetts confirms. Maressa Mortimer tells us that, ‘It is a great way to use imagination.’ Lizzie Ngulube mentions her love for writing memoir and hopes she has instilled that passion in readers! Sub genres are mentioned but what grabbed my attention was my learning of a new genre: Cat Tales! Kirsten Bett quoted Goodreads having 257 best Cat books. So you can write about your own pets! If you are science inclined, A.J Chamberlain’s contribution would interest you. You will also discover as I did, that you don’t need to have studied Creative Writing! Some of the authors are nurses, civil servants, mathematicians and other disciplines.
Like the Bible, which is a compilation of different books to bless readers, I can say that ‘Creativity Matters’ is a highly recommended book worth its 5 stars and you will be greatly blessed to get one for yourself!
September 12, 2021
‘Creativity Matters’ is a collection of articles by thirteen writers on what makes them passionate about a chosen genre, including drama, humour, memoir, children’s books and more.
Collated and published by Wendy H Jones, President of The Scottish Association of Writers and member of the Association of Christian Writers, it is a book to fuel the creativity of everyone from the tentative toe-dipper to the hard-boiled hack. Some of my favourite points follow.
Wendy considers in her first chapter ‘Why write?’ the need for writers to be well-read readers, and challenges us to check the setting on our mobile devices to see how many hours we spend there before we excuse ourselves by talking of a lack of time to read.
In her chapter ‘Why write crime or mystery?’ (which I made directly for having written two thrillers), she lists all the sub-genres from ‘Police Procedural’ to ‘Supernatural’ and given the high sales of this genre says that ‘one of the top reasons why you should consider writing crime (is) you will have no shortage of readers and the genre will remain popular for many years to come’. She notes that it allows both authors and readers to ‘flirt on the edge of danger without being in danger themselves’. A key challenge is ‘to ensure that the plot is complex enough to fool the reader yet make it simple enough that by the final denouement the reader is saying, why didn’t I see that?’ How well put.
In Maressa Mortimer’s chapter ‘Why write faith books?’ she discusses in working out how a character would react in a given situation, you can examine them and allow God to work through them to change and shape you. An author can be so much more involved if you write their story, she notes, rather than remaining with just a list of their characteristics. ‘Forgiveness is no longer something good people simply do, but we can feel the struggle when a character is hurt’. By sharing your message in story form, it can be more relatable and accessible to people; writing faith stories can be such a help to us all she says. Amen sister.
Wendy has a positive, can-do, uplifting attitude here that is a wellspring to those stumbling along in dry places. There is a rich storehouse too of inspiring ideas and encouraging insights from a host of writers to help you find your creative spark, step out on the writing road, and even find fresh inspiration to branch out.
By this reviewer:
October 1, 2021
I loved this. All the participating authors are clearly passionate about writing in their particuar genres, and their enthusiasm is catching. Each one answers the question ‘why write?’ rather than ‘how to write?’ and yet the ‘how to’ question is answered in a ‘show don’t tell’ sort of way – by example.
The chapter on writing drama particularly appealed to me because it was written as a drama. I’ve never even considered writing drama before, but this might even get me started. All I need is time!
If you have time and want to write in any genre or to switch genres, this book will spur you on.
The chapter on writing drama particularly appealed to me because it was written as a drama. I’ve never even considered writing drama before, but this might even get me started. All I need is time!
If you have time and want to write in any genre or to switch genres, this book will spur you on.
September 13, 2021
A great read to find your genre or what inspires you to write. This book is great as a dip into book. It covers history writing, both factual and fictional, romance, children's writing, science fiction and fantasy, crime writing, short story and flash fiction, poetry, non-fiction, humour, memoir and even cat tales! There are many more kinds of writing besides these. The editor, Wendy Jones suggests trying out each of the genres in the book as a piece of flash fiction. There's an innovative idea!
November 10, 2021
Excellent compilation of authors. Dip in to any chapter and find inspiration. Well worth reading abs keeping.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews