Creative Writer's Handbook

by Philip K. Jason, Allan B. Lefcowitz

This handbook is the perfect reference for beginning creative writers. It offers abundant illustrations, exercises, and useful techniques in all genres. While emphasizing problem-solving and the mastery of literary conventions, this handbook also takes the apprentice writer on a journey from inspiration to revision. Explores the work of ¿classic¿ modern as well as active contemporary writers through examples of effective stories, essays, poems and plays. An extensive look at fundamental creative writing issues includes attitudes, habits, journal-keeping, point of view, language, invention and research, and more. Appropriate for apprentice creative writers.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may never finish this book. Technically, I've read it through, but that's not the best way to read this book. It's better if you dip into it, do some exercises around it, use that bit of learning, the move on to another section.

Reading it through from start to finish doesn't give you time to digest, incorporate and try out the ideas. Although, you can read what other people did and thought, because those ideas are in the book, too.

Creative Writer's Handbook is exactly what it says--a how-to book for creative writing. Packed with ideas, organized in a logical way, touching on a huge variety of topics, exercises and prompts, it is everything it says it is. Feel a bit like a textbook, which I hope it is.

[N.L. Riviezzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful book to those who are new to the writing game and want a single book that encompasses the basics of each avenue of writing. For the more seasoned writer, it's quite a dull read and the sports metaphors that run rampant through out are extremely irritating.

[Debs Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it was a textbook, but one good enough to hol d on to.

[Kyle A Massa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains valuable insights on prose writing, poetry, and play writing, though the scope sometimes feels too vast.