"Beginning comedy writers and performers may think funny can't be taught, but legendary comedy writer Gene Perret, winner of three Emmy Awards, tells otherwise in this guide to what makes a good joke work. Outlining the 10 commandments of comedy, the unbreakable rules that every gag must follow in order to be funny, this book liberates readers and allows them to immediately begin writing better and funnier comedy material. By following Perret's commandments,...

A story is constructed from many different building blocks: characters, plot, setting, theme, chapters, scenes, action, dialogue, exposition-not to mention point of view, tense, style, tone, and voice. Stories are complex. There's a lot to learn. And once we learn the basics, we need practice-lots and lots of practice-before we truly master the craft. Story Drills is packed with fundamental storytelling concepts and comprehensive writing exercises...

If you're looking for writing ideas, you've come to the right place. Perfect for writers who are feeling uninspired or who simply want to tackle a new writing challenge, 1200 Creative Writing Prompts has something for everyone. Whether you write fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction, you'll find plenty of fresh ideas inside this book. The fiction prompts cover a range of genres, including literary, mystery, thriller, suspense, science fiction, fantasy,...

Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book . . . give it all." -Annie DillardThis colorful little book of uplifting quotes and tailored tips delivers motivational sparks and creative signposts for writers. Read it, write on it, put it in a frame on your desk-whatever you do with it, the aim is simple: to get you writing!. --Provided by publisher.

"Join nationally bestelling and award-winning romance author Jenna Petersen as she breaks down everything you ever needed to know about the romance publishing industry (and a bunch you didn't know you needed to know). Topics include markets, query letters and synopses, literary agents, publishing houses, how a book gets to print and promotion."--

If you are looking for writing prompts that deal with how you would react in certain situations, look no further. Use these prompts in order or jump around until you find one that grabs you. Whatever it takes, get writing!. --Provided by publisher.

Books with characters that jump off the page, grab readers by the throat, and don't let go are unforgettable. But how do you create multi-dimensional characters? The trick is to know the characters as well as you know yourself. This book will help you achieve that with its list of almost 400 questions. As a bonus, you'll find a mountain of tips on creating characters that readers remember long after turning the last page. --Provided by publisher.

"The path of a writing career can be rocky and twisty and full of dead ends. But it's also well-traveled-and in Writes of Passage, fifty-nine mystery authors offer the secrets that helped them navigate their success. When you're in need of an author's roadmap, "pick up this book," as Hank Phillippi Ryan says in the introduction. Open it to any page!."--

Is there a pesky, negative voice in your head telling you the writing sucks and derailing your productivity? That's the inner critic and it's time to hit the mute button!Writers often fight a silent battle with an inner voice that can be bold or sneaky, outright mean or passive-agressive. Whether your inner critic has the voice of your sugary sweet great aunt who is sure 'you'll make something of your writing hobby some day' or a scary biker-dude...

What would you do if you were thrust into a situation you'd never been faced with before? These writing prompts put you there and leave you to contemplate the outcome. As a bonus, at the end you'll find five extra prompts that deal with R-rated scenarios. Skip that section if you don't want to ponder sexy dilemmas. --Provided by publisher.