Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creative Writing, 2nd Edition

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As someone who is thinking of writing both fiction and non-fiction, I found this book to have lots of good information about how and where to start writing. From writing fiction, non-fiction, poetry, screenplays and the like, the author offers a lot of good information. I'm also a technical writer and one thing that is stressed there is the need for brevity. Well the author also stresses that for good prose, you also need brevity in writing. Keep it simple in other words. There are also "charts" to use in writing a fictional piece, be it novel or short story. From characters, main and minor to settings to conflicts to resolution. The author also stresses the use of outlines when writing fiction. Again just like what technical writers do when they start writing a manual of some kind.

There's also a chapter about writing biographies and autobiographies, with tips on the information you need to gather before you start in on one. And a chapter on writing text and reference books. I had no idea there was a need for books like these. And too another important point the author stresses is the need to decide the audience you are writing for. Still another parallel to the technical writing world, where determining your audience beforehand is a crucial part of the process.

The book's last few chapters could be called the most important, because they deal with selling your work, from fiction and poetry to nonfiction. There's a chapter about literary agents, and whether or not you need one. Also one on legal contracts and fees, and ways to find out about writing contests and getting government grants for your writing work.

Finally, the book talks about editors which at times I've felt were a "necessary evil" to writing. As great as you think your work is (including this review), it can always be improved upon by a good editor. Finally, there's a chapter on overcoming writer's block. This is a good thing, as any writer has encountered this beast at one time or another.

I found this book to be entertaining and informative and would recommend it to any writer, especially beginning writers.

I never like to think of myself as an "idiot" or a "dummy." After so many years of therapy (we won't go there), it's a bit demeaning for me to go after a book that tells me I think of myself this way...however...

Lauire E. Rozakis, Ph.D. is probably the most refreshing voice I've read on creative writing to date. She gives a note of authority to every form of creative writing - including nonfiction. Throughout the book, Rozakis says one thing repeatedly - and even an "idiot" would know this, but it doesn't hurt to say it over and over again - in order to be a successful writer, the writer must WRITE. Her step-by-step guidelines are concise and the little sidebars of added information are informative and witty.

Rozakis writes with seeming ease and with charm. I found myself nodding my head "yes" to information on every page. This book is worth three times the cost. No - actually, I think it's priceless.

This guide is for the ultimate beginner who is thinking of being a writer. It covers the very basics of creative writing. She starts the book off by saying anyone can be a writer and the point is to not get intimidated and just do it. She covers the process of writing, the other sections cover fiction, poetry, nonfiction, drama, scripts, and screenplays, she then tells you how to go about selling your work. How to deal with literary agents, contracts, fees, and bookkeeping. There is even a section on contests and grants. In the last chapter the author talks about editors and writer's block. This book is packed with info for the very beginner, so if you're thinking about being a writer and are just starting out then get this book to guide you.

I've read a lot of books on writing, but this is the first to combine motivation, practical advice and humor so effectively. With information about overcoming writer's block, organizing your thoughts and tips for creating great characters, this book has it all. Buy it...now!

I am an author myself and was inspired by the author's uplifting and empowering attitude toward the reader. She helps you with not only practical information on writing, but gave me plenty of insight on how the whole publishing industry works! Thanks for this one--it goes perfectly with The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published too, together, I learned the ropes, and am now a published author!

This book was well worth the money. It is not directly to the point. This is probably the only draw back. But this is a definite keeper.

This book is great! I'm a begginer and wanted to start writing just as a hobbie. This book showed me how to go through the writing process and write almost anything. There were even sections on writing as a career. Laurie Rozakis style of writing is both informative and witty, so I hardly put the book down. Whether novelist, poet, biographer, or journalist, this book is great for any aspiring writer.

If you are a beginning creative writer, or experimenting with a new style, poetry for example, this is an excellent book. The book deals with the various types of creative writing in an easy to understand, sometimes way too basic, manner. I say 'way too basic', coming from my personal situation. I've been writing fiction for years, and some of this book was, well, beneath me. I enjoyed the sections that I wasn't familiar with, as I am a little slow on the uptake sometimes!

Here's a superb reference book! It's packed with helpful hints for writing better short stories, poetry, plays, and nonfiction. But the winning part tells readers how to make money with all that wonderful writing. How clever to put it all in one book. Now when I meet struggling writers new to the business, I tell them they can find the answers to their questions in this text. And a few weeks later they call and thank me! So thank you, Dr. Rozakis!

The first part of this book deals with overcoming all the mental obstacles people may have in writing... Once you buy a book on writing it is reasonable to assume that you are determined to write and that the mental obstacles are not your major concern. Further, a lot of the advice given on overcoming obstacles boils down to; at best common sense - at worst being downright ridiculous.

In the second part of the book the author tries to cover everything from short stories over poetry to script writing and offers very little advice that readers with an average IQ wouldn't already have figured out themselves.

Last part of the book deals with how to sell your work, finding an editor etc. and a substantial part of this is devoted to address lists that are most likely already outdated at the time of printing..

Unless you regard yourself as a complete idiot - which I assume that very few aspiring writers do - don't waste your money or time on this book.