I'm happy to announce that Cecilia Brainard's FUNDAMENTALS OF CREATIVE WRITING, REVISED AND EXPANDED EDITION has been released and can be found at amazondotcom.
The Revised 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.
An earlier edition of this book was published in 2009 by Anvil in the Philippines, now out of print. The book was used by many teachers in their classrooms. During the time of Covid, and to help teachers and students, the author made the first edition Fundamentals of Creative Writing available online for free. Thousands availed of this pandemic free offer.
The Art of Writing: How to Write Bestselling Novels
34 parts Complete
34 parts
Complete
[New chapter posted every Friday]
Would you like to learn how to draw your readers in with your blurb and your opening lines so that they feel they have to keep reading to find out what happens next?
Would you like to learn how to craft characters who are so interesting and real that your readers would love to be them and can't help but go through the story with them?
Would you like to learn how to craft sentences, paragraphs, and chapters that keep your readers enthralled?
Would you like to learn how to prevent writer's block?
The Art of Writing will teach you all of these skills and more--everything you need to write a bestseller.
You've probably noticed that your first and second chapters have lots of reads, but the chapters after that have very few reads or votes. You can partially blame that on people clicking on the first chapter just to take a quick glance at it and maybe add it to their reading list. But that explanation only goes so far for most Wattpadders. The real reason is more likely that your story isn't written in such a way that really draws a readers in, almost forcing them to keep reading. But you can give your story that edge it needs to become great just by following a few easy guidelines and learning some key techniques for success.
In fact, if you haven't already noticed, some of those techniques are being used in this description to give you just enough information about something you want in order to get you hooked. And your stories should do the same.
Wattpad is full of writers who have great story ideas but very little training in the skills required to craft an amazing story that really sucks a person in. Which means we end up with endless stories that promise amazing plots but can't deliver on that promise.
Not to worry, though. We're about to change all of that.
So get ready to learn the skills you need to write a binge-worthy bestseller.
***NOTE: If there's a skill you'd like me to write a chapter about, just let me know***