Your Words, Your Story [Mass Market Paperback]

Cynthia Harrison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 21, 2007

This creative memoir disguised as writing manual advises as much on what not to do when attempting to write as what works. Harrison structures her hard-won writing lessons down her own winding road, paying heed to what students want to know most: how to write memoir, story, screenplay. And if possible, even before all that, how to get published.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Cynthia Harrison is a teacher and writer who has published fiction, poetry and personal essays in many literary and mainstream journals. She also reviews for Publishers Weekly and blogs at A Writer's Diary.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: TCAM Press; 1st edition (December 21, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615161553
• ISBN-13: 978-0615161556
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,609,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cynthia Harrison had already published one novel "Sister Issues" through Amazon's Kindle Digital Platform as an eBook when The Wild Rose Press offered her a contract for her second novel "The Paris Notebook" available in print and eBook editions from a variety of booksellers, including Amazon.

Set at the popular 99 cent price point, "Sister Issues" comically illuminates the relationship of half-siblings Cher and Ariel. Spoiled younger sibling Ariel thinks "half" means she gets half of everything that belongs to Cher. Cher's not perfect either, and both sisters make mistakes as they seek their true hearts' desires.

"The Paris Notebook" is part campus romance, part comic caper. Jack and Deena, two teachers sharing an office, fight their attraction all year. Then Deena's rock star ex steals a notebook of Deena's poetry, claiming the words are his original lyrics. Jack offers to help Deena get back her notebook, and soon they act on the desire that has been building for two college terms.

The award winning "Your Words, Your Story" Harrison's non-fiction manual for writers, again at that great 99 cent price, is available in print and Kindle editions. The text is part memoir, part instruction manual, for writers at all levels. Harrison uses the text in the popular creative writing classes she teaches at her local community college.

Harrison has been posting writing-related entries at "A Writer's Diary" since 2002 at www.cynthiaharrison.com. Her work has been published in national magazines, journals, and anthologies. She has been a staff reviewer for "Romantic Times" and "Publishers Weekly." Cindy's poem "Africa" recently won an excellence award from the heritage organization Detroit Working Writers and her short prize-winning memoir "Snow Day" has been anthologized in "Cup of Comfort for Divorced Women."

An avid Tweeter (CynthiaHarriso1)and Facebook fan (Cynthia Hines Harrison) Harrison is busy at work on her next novel. She loves to hear from readers and writers. Email her at [e-mail].

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific advice and encouragement for writers February 7, 2008

By C. G. La Ferle

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Both a memoir and a practical guide to writing and publishing, this generous book covers everything a new writer needs to know. It's also a great refresher course for those who've been writing for a while. Harrison's clearly at home in many genres -- poetry, short fiction, essays, reviews, novels, and screenplays -- and she shares a wealth of great tips based on experience. I especially enjoyed her own story samples throughout the guide, and found her advice on critique groups especially timely. This book made me want to enroll in one of her classes.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars She shows you how! January 25, 2008

By capitol reader

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I was eager to get this book because I've read Cynthia Harrison's "A Writer's Diary" blog for years. My expectations were high and she exceeds them here because she delivers three things: 1) a writing guide that's meant for beginners--but it's also a succinct, witty recap for more experienced writers. 2) a creative memoir that generously samples her own poetry and prose. 3) Writing exercises and prompts that will engage writers at all levels. I read this the first time because, even as a reader of her blog, I wanted to get a more chronological sense of her growth as a writer and teacher. Now I'll go back and do the exercises before I write each day as a way to warm up before opening the Word document with my work-in-progress!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended October 30, 2009

By Anna Roberts

Format:Kindle Edition

Your Words, Your Story is really two books in one: a fascinating autobiography detailing the author's evolution as a writer, and a unique perspective on the craft. Examples from the author's own work illustrate the many techniques (introducing conflict, characterization, and adding layers are just a few) introduced here. The book is a great read for any writer, but especially someone just starting out. And for those who want to write, but feel stuck, this is guaranteed to help get past a block. Buy this book and happy writing!