Movies in the Mind, How to Build a Short Story [Paperback]

Colleen Mariah Rae (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Writing teacher and novelist Rae (Perchance To Dream, A Press of One's Own, 1992) urges would-be writers to "tap the well," "dig the clay," and ultimately "give birth" to a story. One entire chapter is devoted to Rae's own development of a story from the idea germ to the finished product, complete with daily jottings in her notebook. She acknowledges early on that she merely is "serving as a guide" and that her process may not work for everyone. Indeed, her discussion of voice is quite good, as is her concept of "continuum trait" and her admonition about critics, but Rae relies too much on her personally effective methods to have broad appeal. The book's bibliography lacks publication information, and the index is amateurish. Perhaps the next book planned for this series will have more to offer.?Cathy Sabol, Northern Virginia Community Coll., Herndon
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 142 pages
• Publisher: Sherman Asher Publishing; 1st edition (October 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964419653
• ISBN-13: 978-0964419650
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #695,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important addition to the writer's bookshelf, November 25, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Santa Fe, NM, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Movies in the Mind, How to Build a Short Story (Paperback)

I am a writer and frequent buyer of writing books, and Colleen Rae's Movies in the Mind is a wonderful book for any writer to have on her bookshelf. Movies in the Mind will guide a writer through the creative process that leads to literature in a way that many how-to writing books seem to miss. Creating a story is compared to sculpting from clay, that is, to take an idea and carve away the excess then refine the detail until you end up with the final piece of art. Colleen Rae is an excellent writer as well, and her book reflects that. It is a pleasure to read, unlike some writing books that tend to read like a textbook. I buy many writing books, but only a few of them do I set aside as special books that I will turn to for help when I am stuck, and Movies is one of these. Theresa Foley

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're on the fence about buying this book, jump down!, February 14, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Movies in the Mind, How to Build a Short Story (Paperback)

Before I finished the first chapter of this book, I saw a dramatic difference in my writing. If you want to learn how to connect with the mysterious well where all of our stories come from, if you want to understand what really grabs your reader and connects him/her with your story, read this book! It's not just for short story writers. It's for writers. Period. Look through Colleen Mariah Rae's eyes as you devour this book, and you'll see your creative world in a whole new light!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Digging the clay" really works!, February 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Movies in the Mind, How to Build a Short Story (Paperback)

"Movies in the Mind" has helped me understand more clearly and practically the process of going within, "digging the clay," as Ms. Rae so aptly calls the process of finding the story. Looking at the movies in my mind, then using method writing to capture what I see, hear, taste, touch, smell, and feel in those movies, develops the characters and uncovers the stories that want to be told. As Ms. Rae says in her first chapter, "this book is about getting out of your own way so that the storymaker inside of you can tell its stories." She accomplishes that goal wonderfully by drawing upon her teaching experience and creativity to offer reassuring encouragement, friendly guidance, and knowledgeable tips galore. In a word, "Movies in the Mind" is an eminently useful book for would-be fiction writers.