Creative Writing: Essential Guide - Review and Giveaway

If 90 percent of writers earn just 10 percent of the income generated by all writing, and breaking into that top 10 percent who earn the majority of royalties and fees isn't easy work, why bother putting pen to paper?

Why not?

Because for many of us, seeing our work published - whether it's poetry, creative non-fiction, plays, or fiction - is a life-long goal.

The problem? Getting our work published.

As a creative writing and English instructor, I've utilized ideas from multiple writing sources for years because I've never found a textbook that met the needs of my students.

Until now.

Tim Atkinson generates encouragement and writing prompts, offering tips on the path to publication in Creative Writing: The Essential Guide, which was released by Need2Know Books in March 2012. Need2Know is giving away a copy of Creative Writing: The Essential Guide. If you're interested in winning the book, in either print or digital form, then leave a comment on this post by Friday, April 27.

Granted, I was skeptical at first glance. The book weighs in with 110 pages, including help pages and bibliography. But once I began reading, I realized I found a goldmine of writing prompts and ideas that will guide writers through the beginning stages of the writing process and lead to the possibility of publication.

In the initial three chapters, Atkinson kick-starts the writing habit by making it just that, a habit. He suggests making lists, doodling, and brainstorming as the starting point. He discusses the connection between reading and writing and shows readers how to analyze the meat of the sandwich; the story, setting, characterization, and dialogue.

Atkinson divides the remainder of the book into sections, such as poetry, novels, short story, play, genre fiction, and non-fiction. Within each chapter, he breaks down the subject matter and presents helpful, thought-provoking prompts.

Finally, Atkinson shares publication options and promotional techniques.

While veteran writers may not glean new ideas, novice novelists and primary poets will find adequate information that should transfer ideas from brain to pen onto paper. A useful list of writing websites and organizations is included in the book.

Are you ready to break into the top 10 percent of creative writers? Then give Creative Writing: The Essential Guide a chance.

Need2Know is giving away a copy of Creative Writing: The Essential Guide. If you're interested in winning the book, in either print or digital form, then leave a comment on this post by Friday, April 27.


Review by LuAnn Schindler. Read more of her work at her website.