8/7/24 --- Hello, Cecilia Brainard here, letting you know that my new book, FUNDAMENTALS OF CREATIVE WRITING, REVISED AND EXPANDED EDITION (ISBN 978-1-953716415), is now available. Look for it in amazondotcom. Carlos Inigo Roxas praises the book as follows:
"In the book, I saw a delicate balance between show and tell. The examples show Brainard's mastery of the craft and shines a light for aspiring writers.
"As a young novice writer myself, I find this work of Brainard, along with her novels and short stories, to be appealing. With "Fundamentals of Creative Writing (Revised and Expanded Edition)," one can learn and enjoy the process of learning." ~Carlos Inigo T. Roxas, Inquirer Lifestyle, Manila, 9/1/24
Following is the description of this new book:
Fundamentals of Creative Writing, Revised and Expanded Edition is a practical how-to-write book that can be used as a text book or it can be read by those interested in learning how to write. The author Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, an award-winning fiction writer, who taught for over 25 years at UCLA Extension's Writers Program and other universities, shares all the tools needed to write fiction and creative non-fiction. She breaks down the basic elements of creative writing such as setting, scene, character, conflict, dialogue, plot, and so on into sections. Each section starts with a concept, followed by related exercises, and a story or two to illustrate the creative writing component just discussed.
This book includes the author's advice to beginning writers, and a lengthy interview of the author, in which the author discusses her background, what got her started in writing, the struggles she faced, her development as a writer. She also discusses the genesis of some of her stories including her three novels.
The author's no-nonsense approach makes this book useful to many instructors of Creative Writing who will appreciate the straightforward guidance, writing activities, and complementary stories in the book. This book, Fundamentals of Creative Writing, Revised and Expanded Edition offers more information to demystify and explain the writing process thus enhancing the learning experience of the beginning writer.
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(Following is an old post post-pandemic)
Hello, I made this book available here to help teachers and students primarily during the pandemic. The pandemic is under control now and I have removed the book from Wattpad. It is currently available in digital format in various Ebook servers instead, so you can still find it.
I know you will understand.
I have many other stories and writing tips in my blog Travels and More - cbrainard.blogspot.com. Do visit that. On the left margin, you will find many helpful links.
Best wishes to all of you! ~ ceciliabrainard.com
Copyright by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard. All rights reserved.
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT
FUNDAMENTALS OF CREATIVE WRITING
Fundamentals of Creative Writing is a powerful resource to encourage students and/or aspiring writers to strive for excellence in their writing skills. Not only does it guide readers through the basics of setting, scene, character, conflict, dialogue, plot, point of view, voice, style, theme and tone but it also provides useful activities that challenges the writer to get their creative juices flowing. I would highly recommend this excellent book to anyone who wants to improve and enhance their creative writing skills.
Jacqueline Gullas-Weckman
Vice-President, Academic Affairs
University of the Visayas
Cecilia Manguerra Brainard has written a wonderful resource for students of creative writing. This book, Fundamentals of Creative Writing, provides students with practical steps that truly work. The strategies presented in this book are a product of the authors fifteen years of teaching creative writing. She is also a prolific writer who has written numerous short stories, novels, and non-fiction books.
Edmundo F. Litton, Ed.D.
Associate Professor of Education
Loyola Marymount University
This book (Fundamentals of Creative Writing) describes the "essentials" of creative writing, not only from a technical perspective, but also by unveiling how creative writing leads us to imaginatively engage and act upon the world. Brainard's structure reminds us that, above and beyond technique, the most important thing a writer needs is a genuine love of story and a respect for the power of words."
Rocío G. Davis
Associate Professor of American Literature, University of Navarra, Spain
Author of Begin Here: Reading Asian North American Autobiographies of Childhood
Cecilia Manguerra Brainard's Fundamentals of Creative Writing is a marvelous textbook that combines useful technical advice on craft with beautiful practical examples in her own stories. Brainard's treatments of writerly voice and left brain/right brain theory as it connects to writing are among the best available in today's writing textbooks. Her story examples cover a variety of story types, techniques, points of view, and historical as well as contemporary topics and themes. This book will indeed help writing students write strong stories and improve their craft. Brava, Ms. Brainard.
Vince Gotera
Professor of Creative Writing, University of Northern Iowa
Editor of the North American Review
FUNDAMENTALS OF CREATIVE WRITING
By
Cecilia Manguerra Brainard
Copyright 2011, 2020 by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard
All Rights Reserved
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FUNDAMENTALS OF CREATIVE WRITING by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard
Non-FictionCecilia Manguerra Brainard's Fundamentals of Creative Writing is a marvelous textbook that combines useful technical advice on craft with beautiful practical examples in her own stories. Brainard's treatments of writerly voice and left brain/right b...