Creative Writing Exercises for Dummies

Creative Writing Exercises For Dummies is a step-by-step creative writing course designed to hone your craft, regardless of ability. Written by the founder of the Complete Creative Writing Course at London's Groucho Club, this activity-based guide walks you through the process of developing and writing in a wide range of genres including novels, short stories and creative nonfiction. The book includes writing prompts, exercises, mind maps, flow charts and diagrams designed to get your ideas flowing. You'll get expert guidance into character development, plot structure and prose, plus extensive insight into self-editing and polishing your work.

Whether you're a new writer with a seed of an idea you would like to develop, or are looking to strengthen your creative writing skills, this book has you covered. Covering every aspect of narrative, from setting initial goals to formatting a manuscript, Creative Writing Exercises For Dummies provides the tools and instruction you need to make your story the best it can be.

• Learn to spark your imagination and sketch out ideas
• Create compelling characters and paint a picture with description
• Develop your plot and structure and maintain continuity
• Step back from your work and become your own ruthless editor

The rise of e-books has opened up the publishing world, even to non-established writers. If you have a story you're dying to tell but aren't sure how, Creative Writing Exercises For Dummies is the clear, concise solution you need.

Maggie Hamand, a novelist, journalist and nonfiction writer, is the founder of the popular Complete Creative Writing Course at the Groucho Club, London, and has been teaching aspiring writers there for 15 years.

Introduction

I Getting Started with Creative Writing Exercises

1 Your Writing Project

2 Sketching Out Ideas

II Realizing that Character is Everything

3 Developing Your Characters' Backgrounds

4 Creating Drama Through Dialogue

5 Embodying Your Characters

6 Developing Your Dialogues

7 Conveying Characters' Thoughts

8 Exploring Point of View

9 Creating Complicated, Well-Rounded Characters

III Painting the Picture with Description

10 Navigating the Locations in Your Stories

11 Appreciating the Power of the Senses

12 Getting Things Done: Describing Action and Activity

13 Building Character with Objects and Possessions

14 Using Description to Create Atmosphere and…and…Suspense!

15 Managing Metaphor, Similes and Symbols

16 Describing the Ineffable: Saying What Can't Be Said

IV Developing Your Plot and Structure

17 Writing a Gripping Opening

18 Plotting Your Way to Great Stories

19 Making Good (Use of) Time in Your Writing

20 Structuring a Longer Work of Fiction

21 Tightening the Tension to Enthral Readers

22 Expanding Your Ideas into Larger Narratives

23 Approaching the Grand Finale: The End's in Sight!

V Polishing Your Product:  Revising and Editing

24 Reviewing and Rewriting Your Work

25 Whipping Your Masterpiece into Shape

26 Polishing Your Work for Publication

VI Part of Tens

27 Ten Top Aids for Writers

28 Ten Great Ways to Stay the Course

Index

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