Customer Reviews

The Art Of Creative Writing

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's sad that Lajos Egri's books don't seem to be in print any more. I've read two so far - this one and Art of Dramatic Writing. Although the author seems to be mostly inclined towards plays, don't let that stop you from devouring this book. It was absolutely invaluable in teaching me how to motivate my characters. Although a lot of the things he says seem self-evident upon reflection, seeing them in print drives them home all the more. It helped me figure out why my stories stalled and didn't seem to go anywhere.

Lajos Egri knows people and what motivates them. He could have made a wonderful psychologist (aren't all good writers therapists to a degree?) and this book will give you wonderful insites into what motivates people and what people like to read about. This is one of the best books on creative writing I've ever read. It doesn't teach about grammer or sentence structure, just about people and stories. You will learn more about how to generate story ideas in this little book then in a whole library of lesser books.

Not only will this book provide you with a insightful guide to writing, it also will fill you with profound insight into the nature of human beings.

I've read too many books on play writing, and writing in general, with most of them just making things worse. Most books adhere to a method of some kind that in itself consists of "sort of"-rules, rules that to some extent apply, but to the same extent really don't apply.

The only two books that actually got it right were both by Lajos Egri. From an analytical point of view: The Art of Dramatic Writing. From a creative point of view: The Art of Creative Writing. Read both.

If you want to devise your own method, read both, then consider that there are only two ways of writing, much like any journalist would tell you: you can either start with all the basic facts and find your story in there, or you can come up with a larger principle first, the story, and then come up with the basics to substantiate this story.

Either way, buy both these books, and read both. If you're serious about creative writing, these will be the only books you'll ever need, next to a style guide.

Published after The Art of Dramatic Writing, this one is a suprisingly vague, wishy-washy rehash of the same material. Art of *Dramatic* Writing is excellent--buy that instead.

Very happy with the delivery, even when it took a bit longer to what I was expecting. I ordered a vintage one with a hard cover, I was a bit nervous as it's used one but it's in a great condition. Plus the book is very good if you want to start writing.

This book should be a must not only for any writer who wants to succeed in the quest of character description, but also for the reader who feels that human behaviour is an intriguing topic.

The book was in great condition, but it took several weeks longer than expected to finally receive it.

Very good book about the importance and creation of character.