The Practice of Creative Writing: A Guide for Students

As someone that enjoys writing book reviews and sharing thoughts with other possible readers, I find it a responsibility to share my thoughts toward works that I feel extremely passionate about. With this text book, I find it very passion-driven. The techniques used to demonstrate improved writing techniques of any style (short story, memoir, fiction, poetry, etc) are paramount to any writer seeking success. I rented this book through the Amazon Student book rental program. I attend the University of Southern New Hampshire as a Creative Writing Major. With a class aimed toward improving my writing skills, it is absolutely paramount for me to have a text book that is not only "reader-friendly", but also explains the very basics of how other successful writers become published successes; and, how to harness their styles by avoiding forms of writing that can make a very decent, powerful piece of writing become repetitive, dreary, or simply repetitive in language. This book provides insights into what specific dynamics of writing that are effective, followed by excerpts from successful writers and how the author uses that particular technique for a specific type of writing. Example: My car came to a sudden halt as the stop sign came into view. This book offers a way to turn a simple sentence into one that carries much more depth, passion, and of course meaning: my heart thudded in my chest as I pushed the accelerator to the floor. My car screamed in protest as I pushed it far past it's limitation. I knew I didn't stand a chance of making it on time, but I had to try. Suddenly, I moved my right foot to the brake, slamming it as hard as I could. Beneath the overgrown branches of an old oak tree, stood a rusty old stop sign. It's presence merely a reminder that I shouldn't even try. As the sun began to reflect on it's jagged edges, the push in me resurfaced. Once again, I slammed in the accelerator, driven by both stubbornness and determination." This adds a lot to a story, but if this book were not required as part of my class, I would be reading it independently. I give it an A+ even though my class isn't finished with it yet because it's done so much for me and 25 other students. I have no doubt that it could be the very thing you're looking for if you're hoping to be published one day, or simply seeking self-fulfillment by improving your own writing. I hope this review helps. It's already helped so many others!

Great source of information.

Ms. Sellers speaks to creative writers or those practicing in a way that puts you at ease but also doesn't let up on you. She seems to know how beginners feel and explains away some bad habits as really fears in disguise. There are plenty of examples to read along with the lesson she is presenting. I do believe that by the end of the book and class I will be a much better writer with a better understanding of myself and my craft.

Good price compared to the Barnes & Noble college book store, of course. The book is written well, however, I can't really be wholly satisfied with the price... but such is the world of college textbooks. I bought this for a creative writing course.

This book is bringing out the best in my students. I am using it in an Intro to Creative Writing course taught within the Federal Prison System. I have students of all different backgrounds and varying levels of writing experience, yet each student is able to access this book at his own place of understanding and interest. If this book works for my unique classroom, it's bound to work for anyone's.

A terrific book for students learning to write at any age. Wonderful short essays, stories; showing the craft of structure, plot, point of view-all of it.So much information and easily structured. Highly recommend it be in a writer's tool chest.

There are some good exercises in this book to stimulate creative writing because Sellers methodically deconstructs the creative writing processes. If you are looking for a book to stimulate creative writing ideas, I would recommend this book.

This Book Is Really Awesome, It has Done So Much For My Creative Writing. The Way It Explain Things Is Clear And I've Found it To Be Accurate. Good Job Sellers.