This book has been written for you with one simple aim: to present the fundamentals of creative writing in a practical, accessible way that you can apply straight away to your own work. Each chapter takes you through the principles of the craft, combining the best advice from professional writers, artists, and editors with examples from classic and contemporary literature. The Handbook is full of "toolbelt tips"; applicable advice on every dimension of the craft; from story development to genre, narrative structure to writing voice, and characterisation to world-building & setting. This is what other writers have been saying about the Creative Writer's Toolbelt Handbook: "A unique and comprehensive handbook... it lays the foundations and then helps you build." "A refreshing change to many writing books." "I've found so few advice givers as competent and informative as Andrew Chamberlain" The handbook divides into eight chapters, each focusing on dimension of the craft, with sections in each chapter giving you a range of tools that you can apply straight away to your own writing. Chapter 1: Creating a Story Learn the classic shape of stories and understand why throughout history, one approach to story construction has been so successful. Chapter 2: Characters and characterisation Explore the two primary aspects of characterisation: character essence and goal, motivation, and passion. Learn why getting these right is most of the hard work of character development. Chapter 3: Setting, world-building, and research Understand the two critical requirements of a setting - that it be credible and immersive. Grounded with examples, we also look at the best way to gather and apply research, with expert insights into the process, and guidance on the important issue of understanding and writing 'the other'. Chapter 4: Tools of the trade Understand how to use the most important tools of the craft; from 'showing not telling' to point of view, and foreshadowing to exploiting the power of sensory description. Chapter 5: The building blocks of writing Explore the techniques for harnessing the power of punctuation and structure, understand the power of verbs in driving the pace of a sentence. Chapter 6: The sound of your writing Unlock the secrets of tone, style, and voice, and wield the sharpest tools in the toolbelt: clarity, brevity, and precision. Chapter 7: Story identity - Genre and theme Explore the strategies for harnessing genre and trope tooth reassure and absorb the reader. See how symbol, dilemma, and innovation interweave with theme and moral, and how to apply these aspects to enrich and enhance our work Chapter 8: The Writer's Life Think about living well. From physical health to mental and emotional wellbeing, the handbook offers suggestions for the writer's life. This chapter also explores the author experience with publishers and some thoughts on how to effectively market both ourselves and our work. The Creative Writer's Toolbelt Handbook gives you practical, accessible advice that you can apply straight away to your own writing. Find out more about the Handbook and the Creative Writer's Toolbelt Podcast at andrewjchamberlain.com

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.

For Creative Writing courses. This handbook is the perfect reference for beginning creative writers. It offers abundant illustrations, exercises, and useful techniques in all genres. While emphasising problem-solving and the mastery of literary conventions, this handbook also takes the apprentice writer on a journey from inspiration to revision.

In this new edition 54 chapters cover the central pillars of writing creatively: the theories behind the creativity, the techniques and writing as a commercial enterprise. With contributions from over 50 poets, novelists, dramatists, publishers, editors, tutors, critics and scholars, this is the essential guide to writing and getting published. DT A 3-in-1 text with outstanding breadth of coverage on the theories, the craft & the business of creative writing DT Includes practical advice on getting published & making money from your writing New for this edition: DT Chapters on popular topics such as 'self-publishing and the rise of the indie author', 'social media', 'flash fiction', 'song lyrics', 'creative-critical hybrids' and 'collaboration in the theatre' DT New and updated exercises to help you practice your writing DT Up-to-date information on teaching, copyright, writing for the web & earning a living as a writer DT Updated Glossary of Terms

Much more than a journal for your creative writing, this spirited handbook provides the writer with the 'how to's' of writing. Tips, instructions and prompts to help you to hone your writing skill. Over 275 blank, lined page has writing exercises and quotes from other famous authors to inspire you.

"I write this blurb in distress because for years I've been stealing John McNally's sharp insights into writing and publishing and passing them off as my own. Now this generous so-and-so is sharing his vast experience as a writer and editor with everyone. Worse yet, this book, despite its instructional value, is irresistibly, un-put-downably readable."---Timothy Schaffert, author, Devils in the Sugar Shop --

This revised and updated edition of The Creative Writing Handbook now includes new chapters on writing for stage and radio and on writing screenplays for film and television. Written by professional writers and tutors, it covers all aspects of the writing process, from drafting first thoughts to shaping them into polished and publishable work. In a series of lively and stimulating chapters, all major areas of writing are explored, from screen-writing to short fiction, from autobiography to experimental prose. The Handbook offers new and experienced writers a whole range of creative ideas, sound advice and open-ended tasks for exploring experience, mastering technique and thereby releasing the full potential of the imagination. As most taught courses in creative writing are in workshop form, each chapter includes invaluable ideas on how to run group sessions and offer a rich fund of suggestions for developing writing beyond the workshop.

Guides prospective graduate students through the difficult process of researching, applying to, and choosing graduate schools in creative writing. This handbook includes special sections about Low-Residency writing programs, PhD programs, publishing in literary journals, and workshop and teaching advice.