Writing Book Review: Teach Yourself Creative Writing- Stephen May

Pages: 288

Published: 2008

Date Finished: 21^st February 2011

Rating: 4 Stars

Tutorials and chapters that cover every genre of writing - lots of exercises to unlock your creativity - motivational insights from top authors - practical guidelines for how to get published 'Teach Yourself Creative Writing: Fourth Edition' is an indispensable guide to unlocking your creativity, finding your voice and choosing a genre of writing that suits you best. It offers advice to aspiring writers of any fiction or non-fiction genre, from short stories to novels, children's books to travel writing. It features exercises, insight and guidelines for do's and don'ts, along with suggestions for finding a voice and a style to suit every genre. The book also contains tips and suggestions from some of the best-known writers of fiction and non-fiction, and gives practical and helpful advice on how to submit your work - and get it published- Good Reads.

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Review:

With easy laid out, short chapters approaching each topic directly, I enjoyed reading Teach yourself Creative Writing. As Stephen mentions in the beginning of the book, if you are interested in writing, you should already be writing, but for those who need a nudge in the right direction or a fresh outlook in writing, then this book is one you should pick up and immerse yourself in.

If you are keen on writing prompts and exercises, you are in luck. Nearly every page has an exercise, some ever three; all which are immensely helpful and inspiring. If by the end of the book you haven’t got some material for a short story or poem, then throw the book in the bin [not really –laughs-] but I guarantee you will find at least 5 exercises out of hundreds that will inspire even a collection of poems.

There are many methods that I had never considered and that would accompany any writer in their journey, whether novice or expert. Any writer will find this book a helpful companion.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in the diverse forms of writing. The only thing I disliked about the book was the references to authors that I had never heard of and were mainly I believe British [ published in Britain] however the advice and exercise provided by the authors were brilliant and I liked learning about other writers inspirations and approaches.