Stephen King talks about giving up teaching and throwing away his first novel, Carrie. Great clip from BBC show Mark Lawson Talks To: Stephen King. Watch more high quality videos on the new BBC Worldwide YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com
Please join our online exercises on blog.pixnet.net Enya and Anita are students of TESOL program in NCTU. We introduce some techniques in building characters in writing. This clip aims to raise EFL learners’ interests in creative writing. Enjoy!! Video Rating: 4 / 5
Author of contemporary children’s classic Skellig and the brand new prequel My Name is Mina, David Almond shares his top-tips for creative writing.
Faculty and alumni of Boston University’s renowned Creative Writing Program read from both published and forthcoming collections at the annual faculty reading in April. Participants included former US poet laureate Robert Pinsky and National Book Award-winner Ha Jin (GRS’94). Hosted by Hosted by Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Creative Writing Program on April 28, 2009. Video Rating: 0 / 5
Question by Hope Less: He said I’d “benefit from some creative writing” and gave me an assignment…?
I’m creative,well can be,but I don’t like letting others see my work. My older cousin(who’s a teacher/counselor) said that I needed to express my creative side more and told me to write a 6 page story on whatever topic I choose. He did that when I told him he couldn’t read any of my previous work(music,stories,scripts and poetry). He told my Mom and she agreed so now I have no other choice but to do this stupid project. I don’t see where I’m going to benefit from it.
I need made up name suggestions and I also want your opinion on what he really expects me to get from having to write this story and let him read it?
*Thanks in advance.*
Best answer:
Answer by Just Like That Hey
It’s not absolutely necessary to let others read your work, if you’re not comfortable with it, but this will help you boost your confidence, and let others see your talent. Being a counselor, your cousin will want you to open a little, but just take this like its some homework, and you don’t have to make it personal.
Edit:
Oh and he might have some suggestions to improve, I’m sure he won’t critisize but there is always a way to improve. He’ll motivate you too. I say go for it.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
I’m going to address something that may rub some people up the wrong way.
You see, I more than occasionally get a number of people asking me whether they should spend a pile of money to get ‘good at writing’.
And, the place where they’re thinking about parking their cash is with a college, institution or place where they teach ‘creative writing’ or however you want to describe it.
I do a little deep breathing, and then I tell them something similar to the following.
“I personally have never taken a course in creative writing, or know of anyone who has done so either. And, I’m talking about those people, friends and colleagues who want to write their own sales messages that sell products and services.”
Of course, that’s just a handful of people whom I know and hang out with. And let me quickly say that I know people who routine sell tens of thousands of pounds, some hundreds of thousands of pounds, PER MONTH, all from conveying their sales messages in ‘non creative writing’ methods.
Now, I do know people who have taken these kinds of creative courses who then want to write heart affecting poetry, or, have this notion of being a famous fiction author, or anything other than using it to write messages that sell.
Let me speedily say that a lot of people get hung up about the application of the word ‘creative’.
I’m all for applying creative marketing to a product or service, but then grounding it in basic, solid, direct response copywriting techniques and strategies.
I’m against using flowery, meaningless, airy fairy language to convey a message. I’m against using silly riddles, rhymes and annoying clownishness to get across a concept, idea or thought.
If you want to know a simple truth and, what is really a powerful secret, because many just don’t GET it, is that when you can ‘write like you talk’, you’ll be way ahead of those who call themselves COPYWRITERS.
You’ll know more than what’s in any course; be it copywriting, creative writing, journalism, or any other.
But, there’s a little disclaimer to this: If your talk, your normal conversation, is lacklustre, minimal and simply dull, then, writing like you talk won’t help you. Unless…
… Unless… you tune in to how everyday people are actually talking. To how your customers are talking. And then, capture that use of language and then weave it in your communications.
Let me tell you that there’s no easier, quicker or cheaper way to help you on your way to becoming a more proficient and effective ad, website, email or sales letter writer, than most of the PROFESSIONALS out there.
But… if you’re hell bent on putting your money into a creative writing course in order to help you better your sales messages, if I were given the choice, I’d choose a scriptwriting or screenwriting course.
And there’s a very good reason for choosing those.
You see, a really good sales message, is essentially, a story. Good copywriting is closer to the great fiction novels than you’d believe.
Not only will you learn effective ways of creating an ‘opening’ for a sales message, you’ll learn about plots, characters, curiosity, suspense, drama…
… all essential ingredients for a compelling sales message.
I hope I haven’t put too many noses out of joint in this article and sincerely wish your money is wisely invested.
About the Author
Nick James is a UK based direct marketer and product developer. During the last 5 years Nick has sold in excess of £1.6 Million Pounds worth of products and sevices online. Subscribe to his Free Tip Of The Week email at: http://www.Nick-James.com
1/2 Taken from the double DVD “A practical guide to creative writing” this is an opening ten minute clip from the introduction and analysis of a story. The whole of the compilation covers the teaching and practical classroom techniques of producing imaginative and complete stories within the Primary age ranges. The rest of the DVD covers character, setting, plot development and using everyday objects to produce a three-part story with a definite beginning, middle and end. Video Rating: 4 / 5
I’m going to address something that may rub some people up the wrong way.
You see, I more than occasionally get a number of people asking me whether they should spend a pile of money to get ‘good at writing’.
And, the place where they’re thinking about parking their cash is with a college, institution or place where they teach ‘creative writing’ or however you want to describe it.
I do a little deep breathing, and then I tell them something similar to the following.
“I personally have never taken a course in creative writing, or know of anyone who has done so either. And, I’m talking about those people, friends and colleagues who want to write their own sales messages that sell products and services.”
Of course, that’s just a handful of people whom I know and hang out with. And let me quickly say that I know people who routine sell tens of thousands of pounds, some hundreds of thousands of pounds, PER MONTH, all from conveying their sales messages in ‘non creative writing’ methods.
Now, I do know people who have taken these kinds of creative courses who then want to write heart affecting poetry, or, have this notion of being a famous fiction author, or anything other than using it to write messages that sell.
Let me speedily say that a lot of people get hung up about the application of the word ‘creative’.
I’m all for applying creative marketing to a product or service, but then grounding it in basic, solid, direct response copywriting techniques and strategies.
I’m against using flowery, meaningless, airy fairy language to convey a message. I’m against using silly riddles, rhymes and annoying clownishness to get across a concept, idea or thought.
If you want to know a simple truth and, what is really a powerful secret, because many just don’t GET it, is that when you can ‘write like you talk’, you’ll be way ahead of those who call themselves COPYWRITERS.
You’ll know more than what’s in any course; be it copywriting, creative writing, journalism, or any other.
But, there’s a little disclaimer to this: If your talk, your normal conversation, is lacklustre, minimal and simply dull, then, writing like you talk won’t help you. Unless…
… Unless… you tune in to how everyday people are actually talking. To how your customers are talking. And then, capture that use of language and then weave it in your communications.
Let me tell you that there’s no easier, quicker or cheaper way to help you on your way to becoming a more proficient and effective ad, website, email or sales letter writer, than most of the PROFESSIONALS out there.
But… if you’re hell bent on putting your money into a creative writing course in order to help you better your sales messages, if I were given the choice, I’d choose a scriptwriting or screenwriting course.
And there’s a very good reason for choosing those.
You see, a really good sales message, is essentially, a story. Good copywriting is closer to the great fiction novels than you’d believe.
Not only will you learn effective ways of creating an ‘opening’ for a sales message, you’ll learn about plots, characters, curiosity, suspense, drama…
… all essential ingredients for a compelling sales message.
I hope I haven’t put too many noses out of joint in this article and sincerely wish your money is wisely invested.
Nick James is a UK based direct marketer and product developer. During the last 5 years Nick has sold in excess of
This amazing creative writing course reveals how creating bestsellers can be successfully achieved on a part time basis leading to other ways to make extra income and multiple streams of RESIDUAL income
