Fundamentals of Creative Writing, Revised and Expanded Edition

Fundamentals of Creative Writing, Revised and Expanded Edition is a practical how-to-write book that can be used as a text book or it can be read by those interested in learning how to write. The author Cecilia Manguerra Brainard, an award-winning fiction writer, who taught for over 25 years at UCLA Extension's Writers Program and other universities, shares all the tools needed to write fiction and creative non-fiction. She breaks down the basic elements of creative writing such as setting, scene, character, conflict, dialogue, plot, and so on into sections. Each section starts with a concept, followed by related exercises, and a story or two to illustrate the creative writing component just discussed.

This book includes the author's advice to beginning writers, and a lengthy interview of the author, in which the author discusses her background, what got her started in writing, the struggles she faced, her development as a writer. She also discusses the genesis of some of her stories including her three novels.

The author's no-nonsense approach makes this book useful to many instructors of Creative Writing who will appreciate the straightforward guidance, writing activities, and complementary stories in the book. This book, Fundamentals of Creative Writing, Revised and Expanded Edition offers more information to demystify and explain the writing process thus enhancing the learning experience of the beginning writer.

The author's no-nonsense approach makes this book useful to many instructors of Creative Writing who will appreciate the straightforward guidance, writing activities, and complementary stories in the book. This book, Fundamentals of Creative Writing, Revised and Expanded Edition offers more information to demystify and explain the writing process thus enhancing the learning experience of the beginning writer.

PRAISE:

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard has written a wonderful resource for students of creative writing.  This book, Fundamentals of Creative Writing, Revised and Expanded Edition, provides students with practical steps that truly work. The strategies presented in this book are a product of the authors over twenty years of teaching creative writing. She is also a prolific writer who has written numerous short stories, novels, and non-fiction books.

Edmundo Edward F. Litton, Ed.D.

Distinguished Professor of Education

Loyola Marymount University

This book, Fundamentals of Creative Writing, Revised and Expanded Edition, describes the "essentials" of creative writing, not only from a technical perspective, but also by unveiling how creative writing leads us to imaginatively engage and act upon the world. Brainard's structure reminds us that, above and beyond technique, the most important thing a writer needs is a genuine love of story and a respect for the power of words."

Rocío G. Davis

Professor of American Literature, University of Navarra, Spain

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard's Fundamentals of Creative Writing, Revised and Expanded Edition, is a marvelous textbook that combines useful technical advice on craft with beautiful practical examples in her own stories. Brainard's treatments of writerly voice and left brain/right brain theory as it connects to writing are among the best available in today's writing textbooks. Her story examples cover a variety of story types, techniques, points of view, and historical as well as contemporary topics and themes. This book will indeed help writing students write strong stories and improve their craft. Brava, Ms. Brainard.

Vince Gotera

Professor of English, University of Northern Iowa

Former Editor of the North American Review