How to Write a Film Script: A Short Guide to Writing a Film You Can Actually Make – A Personal Review When I stumbled upon How to Write a Film Script: A Short Guide to Writing a Film You Can Actually Make by the author, I felt an instant spark of excitement. Here’s a book that promises not just the what and how of screenwriting but also the all-important “can actually make” part. As someone who has always harbored dreams of writing a script, the pragmatic nature of this...

Review of Immediate Fiction: A Complete Writing Course by Jerry Cleaver As a lifelong reader turned aspiring writer, the title Immediate Fiction: A Complete Writing Course by Jerry Cleaver practically jumped off the shelf and into my hands. The promise of not just theory but actionable advice felt like a beacon of hope in my tangled journey of finding my own writing voice. In the often intimidating realm of creative writing, Cleaver's approach resonated deeply with me—his blend of encouragement and practical guidance left me feeling both inspired and...

Romancing the Beat: Your Go-To Guide for Crafting Kissing Stories Sometimes, you stumble upon a book that feels like a warm hug and a hearty laugh all rolled into one. For me, Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels by Gwen Hayes was one of those delightful discoveries. As someone who’s dabbled in writing romance (with varying degrees of success), I often felt lost in a sea of conventional writing guides that just didn’t speak to the heart of a love story. Enter Gwen, who generously offers not...

Embracing the Art of Self-Editing: A Review of On Editing by Helen Corner-Bryant and Kathryn Price As a writer, the journey from first draft to polished manuscript can often feel like navigating through a dense fog. I found myself wrestling with overwhelming self-doubt and uncertainty—those pesky crows, circling overhead, mocking me with every typo and plot hole. When I stumbled upon On Editing: How to Edit with Confidence and Elevate Your Writing, authored by the insightful Helen Corner-Bryant and Kathryn Price, it felt like the gentle nudge I needed...

Unpacking Writing About Writing: A Personal Journey When I first picked up Writing About Writing by Elizabeth Wardle and Doug Downs, I felt a blend of excitement and trepidation. As someone who has always loved the craft of writing yet grappled with its complexities, the idea of delving into “threshold concepts” that could potentially sharpen my skills seemed almost too good to be true. Little did I know, this guide would become a cornerstone in my journey toward better writing. At a hefty 736 pages, Writing About Writing is no...

Book Review: The Secrets to Creating Character Arcs by John S. Warner As a lifelong lover of literature, I have always been captivated by the characters that linger in my mind long after the last page is turned. Characters like Elizabeth Bennett and Atticus Finch have shaped my understanding of storytelling, and when I stumbled upon The Secrets to Creating Character Arcs: A Fiction Writer's Guide to Masterful Character Creation by John S. Warner, I felt an undeniable spark of excitement. Here was a chance to peek behind the...

Unlocking My Inner Poet: A Journey with The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Poetry When I first stumbled upon The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Poetry by Nikki Moustaki, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me. Like many, I had a fraught relationship with poetry during my school days—struggling to understand the nuances of rhyme and meter, often turning in blank pages out of frustration. Yet, as I’ve matured, I've come to appreciate the emotional power of verse and wanted to explore this creative realm. This guide...

The Complete Rhyming Dictionary: Including The Poet's Craft Book – A Must-Have for Every Wordsmith As a writer and occasional poet, I have always been enchanted by the musicality of language. When I stumbled upon The Complete Rhyming Dictionary: Including The Poet's Craft Book, I was instantly intrigued. It's not every day that a book promises over 60,000 rhymes and insights into the craft of poetry itself! Compiled in a beautifully updated and accessible format, this dictionary is true treasure for anyone who finds solace in rhythm and verse. An...

The Soundtrack of a Writer’s Heart: A Review of F. Scott Fitzgerald On Writing There’s something undeniably magnetic about F. Scott Fitzgerald. His prose dances between the whimsical and the profound, capturing a vivid snapshot of the Jazz Age while delving into the intricacies of the human condition. When I stumbled upon F. Scott Fitzgerald On Writing, I felt a familiar pull—a blend of nostalgia and curiosity about what the man behind The Great Gatsby would say about the art of writing. This collection, composed of Fitzgerald's reflections from...

Review of A Short Guide to Writing About Art by Sylvan Barnet When I stumbled upon A Short Guide to Writing About Art by Sylvan Barnet, I was eager to dive into an exploration of artistic expression through the lens of written word. As an avid art lover and a writer at heart, the promise of merging these passions felt serendipitous. This book, steeped in decades of expertise, transcends mere instructional text. It invites readers into an engaging dialogue about art, offering invaluable tools for both budding critics and...