Reviews of Writing Books
Page Two of TwoFast Fiction, by Roberta Allen
Story Press, June, 1997.Trade Paperback, 208 pages.
ISBN: 1884910270
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Fast Fiction uses a unique teaching method of creating very
short stories very quickly and then working up to longer stories
and novels. The first section of the book explains the short-short
story including what a short-short story is, how they compare to
longer stories, how to get material for short-short stories and
how to polish them. The second section of the book includes
exercises where you are asked to create short-stories in
five-minutes. In the exercises you are either given the subject
of the story -- "Write a story about something narrow" or given a
sentence to use in a story such as "She had a suitcase with her."
Another section asks you to write a story from a sentence
describing a photograph you are shown.
Fast Fiction is an excellent way to get you to think creatively and learn to formulate ideas that you can then turn into longer pieces of work. Using the techniques taught in Fast Fiction is a great way to conquer writers block as well as an excellent introduction to the craft of writing for beginners.
Preparing Your Manuscript, by Elizabeth Preston
The Writer, Jan., 1994.Trade Paperback, 113 pages.
ISBN: 0871161729
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Preparing Your Manuscript is an excellent reference book that
focuses solely on how to get your short stories, book manuscripts,
greeting cards and play or television scripts ready for submission.
The book covers everything involved from finding and correcting
mistakes in grammar, punctuation and spelling to typing and
formatting the manuscript. It includes plenty of samples and
examples to help you submit a correct manuscript, including a
list of standard proofreader's marks. The last couple of chapters
cover how to mail your manuscript as well as copyright and rights
information. The book also contains a
list of selected reference books for more in-depth advice.
Preparing Your Manuscript is a great quick-reference guide for the writer looking to finalize a finished project and submit it professionally to the publisher. The grammar and punctuation examples combined with extensive formatting information makes this reference especially useful.
Write on Target, by Dennis E. Hensley and Holly G. Miller
The Writer, Aug., 1995.Trade Paperback, 155 pages.
ISBN: 087116177X
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Write on Target is a helpful guide to writing professional
non-fiction. The instruction is separated into five chapters or
phases, each of which includes examples and exercises. The chapters
include: "Preparing for a Writing Career", which includes a useful
exercise that helps you compute your earning power as a writer,
"Learning to Write Professionally" which covers where to get your
ideas,
effective interview tips and creating winning titles and endings,
"Finding Your Niche" which explains different types of
non-fiction writing
such as travel articles, book reviews, how-to articles and humor
writing and what works with each type, and
"Selling Your Manuscript" which covers topics such as researching markets,
query letters, book proposals, contracts, understanding royalties and
the importance of keeping financial records. The last chapter,
"Advancing Your Writing Career" helps you to plan your future and
determine your goals as far out as thirty to forty years from now.
The book is packed with practical advice, examples and enlightening exercises. Write on Target is a wonderful program for nonfiction writers looking for a career in writing.
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