You already have the tools to become a gifted writer; what you need is the spark. Harvard creative writing professor and acclaimed author Bret Anth...
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Aug 07, 2010
K.M.
rated it: 
Absolutely stacked with knowledgeable and experienced writers - and, as a result, how could it *not* include a fair-sized helping of gems? Not everything here is worth the price of admission, but there's enough good stuff here to make the entirety more than worth the read.
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Sep 20, 2010
Try This:
Start a story or stories with the following lines:
“I never told anyone…”
“I did tell one person. God help me. She/he …”
“I never told anyone, but I’ll tell you…”
This writing exercise is from Dorothy Allison, collected in Naming the World and Other Exercises for the Creative Writer, edited by Bret Anthony Johnson.
Naming the World and Other Exercises for the Creative Writer
The book is a collection of writing More...
Start a story or stories with the following lines:
“I never told anyone…”
“I did tell one person. God help me. She/he …”
“I never told anyone, but I’ll tell you…”
This writing exercise is from Dorothy Allison, collected in Naming the World and Other Exercises for the Creative Writer, edited by Bret Anthony Johnson.
Naming the World and Other Exercises for the Creative Writer
The book is a collection of writing More...
May 08, 2010
Alex
rated it:
I found this book highly annoying. It was the literary equivalent of those embarrassing games that are played under the guise of social "ice breaking." Lots of ideas for 10 or 20 minute exercises mixed alongside anecdotes from creative writing classes/seminars. It was better in its serious moments, such as the section openings written by editor Bret Anthony Johnson that address the fundamentals of fiction. Overall, though, this is a book I can't recommend very highly. If you're already
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Mar 26, 2009
I'm reading this on my Kindle, so I can't list a page number, instead it gives a percetage I'm 13% through the book.
I choose this to help me discover more exercises for the writing group, and I have to say I am very happy with it. Not only are the exercises useful, but also each exercise has a mini-essay on craft associated with it that helps put the exercise into context. This makes it perfect for the writing group.
I choose this to help me discover more exercises for the writing group, and I have to say I am very happy with it. Not only are the exercises useful, but also each exercise has a mini-essay on craft associated with it that helps put the exercise into context. This makes it perfect for the writing group.
Feb 07, 2010
Christina
rated it: 
Helpful short essays and writing exercises for beginning fiction writers. I did National Novel Writing Month last year and fully embraced the "just write even if it's crap" philosophy, so it was interesting to learn from this book some of my writing crimes that are probably typical of inexperienced writers. As with anything, I'll pick and choose the advice worth following, but I have to start somewhere and have found this book very helpful so far. Structurally, it's divided into the
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Dec 11, 2009
whenever i want to write but i don't know what to write, this book offers lovely suggestions such as, "spend twenty minutes writing a scene that involves a lobster," and then i quickly realize that people write about. . . .whatever the fuck they want!
Apr 18, 2010
Wendy
rated it:
Excellent exercises for writing fiction and memoir! I've had good success with many of these exercises in the classroom.
Dec 04, 2008
Sandra
rated it:
For a writing tool, this book offers a wide range of exercises. Very helpful to writers and teachers.
Aug 09, 2011
Julie
rated it:
Great ideas/exercises from many contributing writers. If only I took the time to do them. A book worth having on your shelf within easy reach when you're trying to write characters and scene; especially good reminders and suggestions for writing dialog and action!
Nov 24, 2008
Chris
rated it: 
Thus far, the most immediately applicable collection of writing exercises I've ever encountered. Johnston solicited a huge selection of writers and teachers and asked for a single exercise that works of has worked for them, and the results are practical and clever in their simplicity. I have thus far been through the "Getting Started" and "Character" sections and already have nearly 20 new exercises I'm dying to try out in class.
Aug 26, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
This is a great book and I would recommend it for anyone with an interest in writing. There are so many writing prompts to help get the creativity flowing. Each chapter is its own exercise and each chapter has been contributed by a different published author.
Jan 12, 2008
Kristen
rated it:
Not necessarily a book you read from cover to cover.. as much as you look through and read about which writing exercises sound most interesting. There are some great ones from the likes of Joyce Carol Oates, Tom Robbins and (for you summer Iowa people..) Tom Barbash. They all give introductions to the exercises. Great if you're stuck or just want some practice.
Nov 01, 2008
Chelsie
rated it:
I believe this would be an excellent tool for any beginning writer. It is full of exercises and is organized very well. My dislikes were that I found almost all of the exercises not very original, and exactly the same as many suggested in other books I have read. But I loved the chapter on building Characters. I found it very fresh and insightful!
Jun 29, 2009
Anna
rated it:
This book was wonderful. I would recommed it to begining writers and anyone who wants to improve their writing skills. There are tons or great writing promps and just fun excersizes. I loved it.
Oct 08, 2008
Kelley
rated it:
I hate to brag, but this was edited by my good friend Bret - who's living the writing life I always wanted. But maybe the book will help me find my lost writer self.
Sep 01, 2008
Jen
rated it:
This is a good book to pick up whenever you need a little inspiration. There are a few exercises that I plan to modify and use with my English classes.
Jun 18, 2010
Prep for my writing classes start in February...and in between assignments.
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