Your Words, Your Story (Mass Market Paperback)

by Cynthia Harrison (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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.

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 (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,582,984 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	capitol reader (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

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!

1 of 1 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 "Columnist and reader" (Midwest, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.