The Eight Crafts of Writing

by Stefan Emunds

Jane was an aspiring writer, who, like everyone else before her, parachuted fearlessly into the writing jungle. And, like everybody else, she got hung up on a tree with her parachute. That tree was the sub-craft 'How to Write in Limited POV'.
Looking around, she notices a hundred more trees on which other aspiring writers are hung up. She cuts the parachute lines, drops to the ground, makes a summersault forward, and jumps to her feet. Around her, writers of all ages are cutting paths through the thicket.
“Help?” She calls out.
Well-meant answers arrive from all directions.
”Create an interesting character and give her a great goal."
"Write what you want to read."
"Create a sense of wonder."
"The more conflict, the better."
"Don’t write to get published."
"Don’t worry about being a good writer, just write."
"Grab the reader."
"Be captivating. Or memorable."
"Create an emotional connection."
"Keep the reader turning pages."
"Be unpredictable."
"Keep the reader curious."
Jane scans the area. She can't see more than ten meters into the thicket. How she wishes she had a map and a navigation system.

Five years later, Jane is still cutting her way through the writing wilderness. She has climbed eighty-one trees, crossed the suspense valley, ascended the romance mountain, and walked the Hero's Journey track, but the storytelling jungle remains uncharted land.

Most books about writing specialize in one or few crafts, but none focuses on the overview (yep that's a paradox). Until now. The map and navs are finally here: The Eight Crafts of Writing and the supplementary book The Eight Crafts Navigation System.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2021

About the author

Modern authors are much more than book writers. They write blog posts as well, discuss important subjects on social media sites, produce videos, and hold speeches. They offer a holistic service that revolves around the core value they labor to produce for people.

Stefan has dedicated his life to producing inspiration. For him, spirit is the very essence of life that keeps us kicking, dreaming, curious, passionate, and aspiring. In-spiration means to invite spirit into our mind, to vitalize our internal and external lives. The purpose: to feel alive!
Inspiration is more than motivation. Motivation keeps us doing what we are doing and that may not always be the right thing. Inspiration blows up our boxes and kicks us out into the open. It sets us free so that we can build a new, better, and bigger box.

Stefan loves to write visionary fiction, historical fiction, magical realism, as well as enlightenment non-fiction.
Stefan was born in Germany and enjoyed two years backpacking in Australia, New Zealand, and South-East Asia in his early twenties. 
For almost three decades, Stefan has pursued a spiritual career at B.O.T.A., a modern mystery school teaching the arcana of Tarot, Qabalah, Gematria, esoteric Astrology, and Alchemy. 
After getting married, Stefan chose a necessity-career in the telecommunication industry. Since then, he has worked as a business development manager in Europe, Middle East, and in Asia. 
2012 Stefan kick-started his author career.
At the moment, Stefan lives in the Philippine. When he's not writing, he helps his children to pursue their heart’s desires.

Reviews

[Aneesha Shewani · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a writer, this book grabbed my attention with its title. The Eight Crafts of Writing by Stefan Emunds is a must-have on the bookshelf for anyone who wants a succinct reckoner for basic principles of good writing.

Presented in a crisp format, the book provides a comprehensive map to navigate the writing jungle. Writers are often distracted by the tools of the trade, the multitude of best writing practices, advice on, and criticism of the styles. They tend to miss the overall picture. They forget the joy of creating art.

Nuggets of wisdom, easy to recall definitions, and a simplistic view of concepts are the cornerstone of this guidebook. It brings forth brief comprehension of elements of creative writing that we think we know but may not have clarity. For instance, defining a story as a genre or distinguishing a fictional piece from a nonfictional one. It talks about the techniques the convert big ideas into a masterpiece.

I realized the value of this book as I delved deeper. This is not a one-time read. It is reference material; a textbook. Highlight the nuances, make notes in the margins, view the online material, and memorize the definitions. I recommend it as a must-have for every student and pursuer of the craft of writing. Simple diagrams support the narrative. Links to external material like videos and articles enhance the reference power of the content.

Each page will draw you in, as you consume it. It's virtually a tome because not a word is wasted; not a sentence is vagrant. It's packed with a punch, a solid dose of learning in every single line. Read the whole book in a go or pick up a section and ruminate. You must also access the website - https://www.eightcrafts.com for additional learning through maps and articles. This is a masterclass in a book!

[Daryl P Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview and resource about the craft of writing fiction.

The author uses words, diagrams, examples and references to convey his view of the writing process. It is logical, accessible and clear. He switches convention - intentionally I'm sure - by assuming authors and readers are female and also assumes a level of reading ability and knowledge above the average. However, he stretches the reader further by including tips for advanced writers throughout. There are also footnotes discreetly annotated with a subscript number, but the collection of these is all together at the end rather than at the finish of the relevant chapter. This makes referring to them very difficult and loses impact in the e-book format. A promise is made to update the book as a resource every six months so this might have changed if you are reading this review in the latter part of 2022 or later. Several editing errors have also escaped and may be similarly rectified, which is why I have awarded the full five stars as I was informed, inspired and edified.
A small quibble is with the amount of references to television and films for examples of the craft. This may connect more with a wider audience, but I felt a bit cheated where the advice given in this book is to read deeply within the genre of your choosing. Adding literary references as well would make it more consistent with that advice.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a writing instructor and literature teacher at the secondary and university level, I'm constantly prowling new books on the art for my creative students (and myself). This independently published book, The Eight Crafts of Writing, is quite spectacular. I enjoyed reading a simplistic primer that goes deep, organizes well, and articulately provides well-drawn advice and will be an easy tool for reference. Stefan Emunds has done all that and more. First, structurally creating the eight crafts is an intelligent way of providing a backbone to writing. It allows a bit of compartmentalization so as not to overwhelm new writers. Then, it seamlessly incorporated them into the overarching work. Edmunds uses space brilliantly to capture ideas on a page, incorporates technology and sourcing well for further study, and understands how each craft is about engaging readers, no matter the story form. I will be recommending this book and handing it out to students.
Note: There is still a need for further editing ( about 40-50 minor errors that don't detract from the book but are there.) I'm still keeping this a 5-star rating, because it is so accessible and helpful. Bravo.

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts about writing

I rated this three and a half stars, rounding up. The eight crafts of writing, according to this book, include Big Idea, Narration, Genre, Story Outlining, Scene structure, World Building, Characterization and Prose. For any aspiring writer, there are many worthwhile ideas to consider here, but the treatment of these topics feels a little superficial to me. Things are mentioned in a bullet point style and the chapters are quite short so it seemed like topics get introduced and then just when I was expecting to learn something interesting about them, it was already over and off to the next topic.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally Detailed

This book is so detailed. I love the breakdown of each concepts with the aim of diagrams to make the connection firmer. Stefan really went above and beyond. If you study and apply the concepts, your writing will be irresistible.

[Goldie Fishbaum · Rating 1 out of 5]

I purchased this book with high hopes and it is worthless to me. I’m a new author and this book does not discuss the psychology of storytelling. All it does is offer short blurbs of content with no value whatsoever.

[Kelamenter Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Golden Nuggets

This book has provided a wealth of nuggets for writing. I don't have any cons to this book. Enjoy it!

[madtrekkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive guide to the art writing. The book outlines everything a budding and experienced writer needs to know. I liked learning more about the craft of writing and will be continuing to use book as a guide! Recommended!