Writing Book Reviews
Page Two of TwoImmediate Fiction by Jerry Cleaver
St. Martin's Press, February, 2002Hardcover, 507 pages
ISBN: 031228716X
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
This book takes the form of a professional
writing course, complete with exercises
and instruction.
One of the best things about the course is
its help in teaching writers organizational
skills and time management,
two of the most crucial skills to being able
to complete a novel. The book also
provides instruction for breaking writer's
block, creating a believable story, self-editing,
emotion and getting into print.
Author Jerry Cleaver is the creator of the The Writer's Loft, a successful, independent writers' workshop in Chicago. He has also given story seminars and created an online course for Writer's Digest. In his book, Cleaver writes about his tools and methods for improving the craft of writing and increasing productivity. Like a good teacher, his tone is encouraging and inspiring. Cleaver also provides numerous writing exercises and a plan to get you writing regularly which starts with writing only 5 minutes per day (surely you can find 5 minutes a day!). One of the concepts behind the book is to get you to understand the creative process, so you are able to sit down and begin writing immediately -- as the book's title suggests. Writers who read this book start to finish should be able to do just that, as well as learn many other things about their writing and the craft of writing. A terrific book for fiction writers. Highly recommended.
Write Mind by Eric Maisel, Ph.D.
Tarcher/Putnam, February, 2002Paperback, 133 pages
ISBN: 1585421367
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
This inspiring book helps writers learn to
avoid those negative things struggling writers
often say or think. This book lists 299 of this
things writers often say, although they shouldn't,
and lists what writers really should be saying in
place of these negative thoughts. For example,
instead of "I wish that my novel were already
written," a writer should think, "I am looking
forward to the experience of writing my novel."
And instead of thinking, "Maybe I could
self-publish, but that would feel like such a
failure," the writer should think, "Self-publishing
is no disgrace and sometimes it's exactly the
right answer. Self-publishing is an option." And
instead of "I would like to secretly kidnap and
torture a literary agent," a writer should be thinking,
"Literary agents represent projects that they think
they can sell. Nothing could be less mysterious
or more impersonal." The short thoughts can
help writers with motivation, time management,
writer's block, mis-information and positive think. Write Mind is a
good psychological booster for struggling writers.
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