A Journey Through Bukowski’s Thoughts: A Review of On Writing Looking for a writing guide? You might want to skip the usual suspects and pick up Charles Bukowski’s On Writing. Originally drawn to Bukowski for his raw honesty and relentless wit, I was curious to dive into his world through this collection of letters—an eye-opening glimpse into the mind of a master who beautifully encapsulates the grit and grace of the writing life. In On Writing, Bukowski’s letters to publishers, friends, and fellow writers invite us into a candid...

Review of The Only Fantasy Workbook You'll Ever Need: Your New Magic System Bible by T.M. Holladay As a lifelong lover of fantasy, there’s something utterly thrilling about diving into a new world brimming with enchantment and wonder. Yet, as I began plotting my own fantastical tales, I found myself tangling in a web of sticky notes and scattered ideas—hardly the organized tapestry I envisioned. Enter T.M. Holladay’s The Only Fantasy Workbook You'll Ever Need: Your New Magic System Bible. This workbook caught my attention instantly, promising a comprehensive...

A Laughing Matter: My Take on The Serious Guide to Joke Writing by Sally Holloway As someone who has always admired the craft behind a perfectly timed punchline, The Serious Guide to Joke Writing: How To Say Something Funny About Anything by Sally Holloway caught my attention in the most delightful way. The idea of transforming everyday occurrences into something laugh-out-loud funny felt like an elusive skill, one that I was eager to explore. After all, who could resist the charm of a well-crafted joke? Curiosity piqued, I dove...

Review of Writing About Movies by Eric W. Smith When I first picked up Writing About Movies, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own journey as a film enthusiast and budding writer. The world of cinema has always captivated me, and I’ve dabbled in writing my own critiques, yet I often found myself lost in technical jargon and theoretical concepts. That's where Eric W. Smith’s insightful guide comes into play, and let me tell you, it is truly a gem waiting to be discovered. From the very beginning, Writing...

A Delightful Dive into Creativity: A Review of The Day the Books Disappeared by Dan Santat I have to admit, I’m a sucker for books that celebrate the magic of reading and the boundless world of imagination. The Day the Books Disappeared by Dan Santat caught my attention not just because of its captivating title but due to the delightful notion that captures the essence of childhood curiosity. As soon as I picked it up, I felt that familiar surge of excitement you experience when diving into a story...

A Cinematic Symphony: Reflecting on A Short Guide to Writing About Film As a lifelong film enthusiast, the art of writing about movies has always intrigued me. It was the promise of enhancing my critical voice that drew me to David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson's A Short Guide to Writing About Film. This best-selling text hooks readers from the start, blending a fascinating introduction to film theory with practical advice on honing writing skills. Navigating the World of Film Critique This invaluable guide expertly encapsulates the essence of film criticism....

Unlocking the Craft: A Journey Through 'Scriptnotes' As a perennial student of storytelling, I often find myself perusing the shelves for resources that can elevate my writing craft, especially in screenwriting. When I stumbled upon Scriptnotes: A Book About Screenwriting and Things That Are Interesting to Screenwriters by John August and Craig Mazin, I felt a spark of excitement. Having tuned into their acclaimed podcast for years, it was thrilling to see their insights and expertise distilled into book form. It's like finding a well-stocked toolkit just when you...

Unlocking the Story Within: My Journey with Lisa Cron’s Story Genius If there’s a book that has quietly revolutionized my writing process, it’s certainly Lisa Cron’s Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel. The title alone offers a potent promise, hinting at the horrors of investing years into a manuscript only to find it lacking direction or heart. I’ve been there—many writers have—and the fear of the endless rewrite looms large. Discovering Story Genius felt serendipitous, almost like finding a...

Write Away: One Writer's Approach to the Novel – A Journey into the Craft of Writing As a writer who often finds myself standing at the crossroads between inspiration and frustration, Elizabeth George’s Write Away: One Writer's Approach to the Novel felt like a gift waiting to be opened. With a reputation as a New York Times bestselling author, George's insights on the writing process are not just theoretical; they’re steeped in the rich experience of crafting compelling stories. Upon picking up this book, I was drawn into a...

Unleashing Creativity with Time to Write: A Personal Journey Ever felt that familiar tug in your heart, the whisper of an untold story waiting to take shape? That’s exactly what drew me to Time to Write: Inspiring lessons and practical skills for writing the novel you’ve always wanted by Emily Winslow. As a long-time aspirant author constantly juggling myriad distractions, I found this book to be a warm and compelling invitation to finally put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard!). Emily Winslow, an acclaimed author and educator at Cambridge...