Crafting Poems and Stories: A Guide to Creative Writing

by Ethel Rackin

Crafting Poems and Stories is an inspiring new guide to creative writing. Comprehensive in its treatment of poetry and fiction, this book offers the features that students most often request, including concise definitions of basic terms of poetry and short fiction, focused discussion of craft, exciting literary models, and engaging hands-on exercises. It is an accessible guide that renders the material of introductory creative-writing courses more readily engaging, so that beginning writers can see greater progress reflected in their poems and short stories over the course of a single semester.

• Includes 60 poems and 9 complete stories, ranging from classic to contemporary • Each chapter includes craft-focused discussion questions and writing prompts and exercises • Includes appendices on workshopping poetry and fiction and on resources for writers seeking publication

396 pages, Paperback

Published July 19, 2022

Reviews

[Alyse Knorr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully thorough, clear, and cogent multi-genre guide to creative writing. This is the most balanced textbook I’ve found in the field: sophisticated yet teachable, comprehensive yet concise. The examples are excellent, and the structure perfect for undergraduates to follow. I look forward to teaching from this book in many workshops to come!