In A Writer’s Companion, Louis D. Rubin, Jr., has drawn on his years of accumulated wisdom—as well as the advice of some fifty prominent writers from various fields—to put together in a single volume a vast array of information. Organized in such a way as to make it exceptionally easy to use, and enhanced by Rubin’s graceful and witty prose, A Writer’s Companion will merit a place on the desk of every serious wordsmith. It is also a book that will bring endless hours of pleasure to anyone who enjoys reading simply for the sake of gaining new knowledge. As Casey Stengel said, “You could look it up.”

Spark your creativity, hone your writing, and improve your scripts with the self-contained character, scene, and story exercises found in this classic guide. Having spent decades working with dramatists to refine and expand their existing plays and screenplays, Dunne effortlessly blends condensed dramatic theory with specific action steps—over sixty workshop-tested exercises that can be adapted to virtually any individual writing process and dramatic script. Dunne’s in-depth method is both instinctual and intellectual, allowing writers to discover new actions for their characters and new directions for their stories. The exercises can be used by those just starting the writing process and by those who have scripts already in development. With each exercise rooted in real-life issues from Dunne’s workshops, readers of this companion will find the combined experiences of more than fifteen hundred workshops in a single guide. This second edition is fully aligned with a brand-new companion book, Character, Scene, and Story, which offers forty-two additional activities to help writers more fully develop their scripts. The two books include cross-references between related exercises, though each volume can also stand alone. No ordinary guide to plotting, this handbook centers on the principle that character is key. “The character is not something added to the scene or to the story,” writes Dunne. “Rather, the character is the scene. The character is the story.” With this new edition, Dunne’s remarkable creative method will continue to be the go-to source for anyone hoping to take their story to the stage. “Dunne mixes an artist’s imagination and intuition with a teacher’s knowledge of the craft of dramatic writing.” —May-Brit Akerholt, award-winning dramaturg

INCREASE YOUR WRITING POWER THROUGH JOURNALING.

First published a decade ago, A Writer's Book of Days has become the ideal writing coach for thousands of writers. Newly revised, with new prompts, up-to-date Web resources, and more useful information than ever, this invaluable guide offers something for everyone looking to put pen to paper — a treasure trove of practical suggestions, expert advice, and powerful inspiration. Judy Reeves meets you wherever you may be on a given day with: • get-going prompts and exercises • insight into writing blocks • tips and techniques for finding time and creating space • ways to find images and inspiration • advice on working in writing groups • suggestions, quips, and trivia from accomplished practitioners Reeves's holistic approach addresses every aspect of what makes creativity possible (and joyful) — the physical, emotional, and spiritual. And like a smart, empathetic inner mentor, she will help you make every day a writing day.

This companion provides a two-part introduction to best-selling author Stephen King, whose enormous popularity over the years has gained him an audience well beyond readers of horror fiction, the genre with which he is most often associated. Part I considers the reception of King's work, the film adaptations that they gave rise to, the fictional worlds in which some of his novels are set, and the more useful approaches to King's varied corpus. Part II consists of entries for each series, novel, story, screenplay and even poem, including works never published or produced, as well as characters and settings.

A dynamic, comb-bound, easy-to-use handbook, "The Longman Writer's Companion" allows writers to quickly and easily reference the information they need to improve their personal, business, and academic writing. writing process, business writing, grammar, punctuation, mechanics, electronic research, documentation/citation style guides, avoiding plagiarism, ESL. Any student or professional interested in improving their writing.

The Political Speechwriter's Companion: A Guide for Writers and Speakers guides students through a systematic “LAWS” approach (language, anecdote, wit, and support) that politicians can use to persuade their audiences into taking action. In the highly anticipated Second Edition, esteemed speechwriter and author Robert A. Lehrman has teamed up with one of the "go-to-guys" for political humor, Eric Schnure, to offer students an entertaining yet practical introduction to political speechwriting. This how-to guide explains how speakers can deliver: language the audience will understand and remember; anecdotes that make listeners laugh and cry; wit that pokes fun at opponents but also shows their own lighter side; and support in the way of statistics, examples, and testimony. Packed with annotated speeches from the most recent elections, technology tips, and interviews from speechwriting luminaries, this edition offers the most practical advice and strategies for a career in political communication.

"Entertaining and authoritative, this alphabetically arranged companion is an indispensable reference guide to crime and mystery writing. Unique in its biographical and critical treatment of major detective writers, it is a comprehensive digest to the gen

This warm and practical guidebook by celebrated author and educator Ralph Fletcher demystifies the teaching of writing and shows how to engage every student.

Provides the tools needed to hone a writer's abilities, and it's written in a style that keeps the brain from crying out in frustration or dying of boredom. Instead of slipping into a coma, writers will master the structure [of] coherent plotting; fiction elements such as point of view, atmosphere, narrative, and characterization; and learn to revise grammar and syntax without imploding under the weight of dull rules. Once those skills are mastered, the Companion details simple but effective ways to rewrite, edit, format, and prepare manuscripts for publication ... And that's just the beginning! -- From back cover.