Reviews of Writing Books
Page Two of TwoThe Weekend Novelist Writes a Mystery by Jack Remick and Robert J. Ray
Dell Books, May 1998.Trade Paperback, 272 pages.
ISBN: 0440506581
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
This reference book and writing program invites
you to write your own novel
along with the authors,
mystery novelists Robert J. Ray and
Jack Remick, as they also
write a mystery novel. The book is
divided into 52 weekends or mini-courses.
Each weekend in the book provides
instruction, examples and exercises
to help the writer create his or her own mystery novel.
Numerous novel
development skills are approached in
the book including plot, setting, conflict,
character development and dialogue,
to name a few. Each weekend provides
instruction
on a new development of the novel,
with examples from the author's own
write-along novel. Writing samples from
well-known mystery novels are also
provided to enchance the instruction.
The Weekend Novelist Writes a Mystery is packed with excellent writing tips, inspiration and instruction which are certain to motivate any writer who writes along with the authors from start to finish. Aspiring mystery authors who haven't been able to find the discipline or get into the routine necessary to complete a novel should definitely give this unique and well-crafted writing program a try.
You Can Write Poetry by Jeff Mock
Writer's Digest Books, May 1998.Trade Paperback, 119 pages.
ISBN: 0898798256
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
With its exercises, inspirational advice
and sample poems, this poetry aide,
by creative writing professor,
Jeff Mock, will encourage poets to
write rich and imaginative poems.
Instruction in the book covers
structure, style, grammatical errors,
imagery, punctuation and manuscript
submission. Exercises in the book
encourage readers to create poems.
For example, this exercise: "Write a draft about
a busy intersection. Use only everyday
words, slang and street language. Include
a windblown newspaper in the draft,"
provides the writer with content for
the draft (slang, the windblown newspaper,
busy intersection) so the writer does not
get stuck but still allows for plenty of
creativity of his own.
You Can Write Poetry is an inspiring
exercise and instruction
book that will benefit any novice poet.
Click Here For Writing Book Reviews Page One
Return to the July 1998 issue of The IWJ.
More from Writers Write