What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers 3rd Edition

This book is hands down one of the absolute best writing books I have ever had the pleasure of owning. It is literally a step-by-step process on how to write creatively. The first two chapters alone on how actually start and start well is worth the price of the book. Why I find this book so useful is that it doesn't just drone on and on about theory and namedrop past writers but instead puts forth very brief and clear explanations and follows it up by showing you many examples about what is it talking about in action to ensure that the point it is trying to make is make absolutely clear. Also, since the chapters end with simple and repeatable exercises even after you've gone through the book you can always go back and easily redo them in case you ever hit a writers blocks or just need to brainstorm new ideas. Second, the chapters themselves are very short and to the point so you will not have to burn through dozens of pages of filler text to get what you need. It's the closest you can get to "get-and-go" and for that I am grateful. Regardless you experience level you should own this book.

I got this book for a college writing class, and I love how it is structured in a way that fosters growth though doesn't stifle it by forcing a particular writing style or genre. Each exercise starts out with a description of a writing phase or technique and several angles to choose from, then gives instructions and an objective. There are also helpful examples from both amateur writers and time-tested greats alike that really "drive the point home" (forgive my cliche). When using this book, my writer's brain illuminated like a wildfire, churning madly with purpose and direction that could go anywhere, but controlled by firefighters (the objective) and eventually simmering to a conclusion as the exercise ended and I shared my results with the class. I am keeping this book and using it often to keep my writing fresh as I am now graduated and on my own.I would advise anyone who purchases this book to keep a couple of highlighters handy and be well-stocked with writers' journals because you will wear it out and will not want to give it up for the extra college change anyway.

I bought this book on a whim because it sounded intriguing. As a former attorney and high school English teacher, I have both written and taught writing for many years. However, I have never tried writing fiction as creating a story always seemed daunting. When I saw the title, I thought to myself, "What if you tried your hand at writing fiction and found that you were good at it? And what if you're not? So what? You haven't lost anything by trying." This book offers a non-threatening way of thinking about and practicing fiction writing by performing small, easy-to-accomplish writing tasks. Because I am not a serious writer, I don't work in it regularly, but turn to it when I have some free time. I've worked through the first 2-3 chapters, and it has been fun, especially the chapter on writing first lines. I've got some corkers. Now to find the stories that they introduce. For me, it has been an excellent diversion, and I find that I do enjoy it. For those looking for a creative writing text, it seems very thorough, with exercises that build upon skills developed in earlier chapters and clear, detailed examples of the techniques being taught. If I were back in the classroom as a creative writing teacher, I'd certainly give it serious consideration.

It's got some great content for studying.I bought this as a textbook for a Creative Writing class at a state college I attend. I was told to get the 3rd edition, but rationalized that there couldn't be that much of a difference between 2nd and 3rd edition, so I went with this cheaper route. Word to the wise: they're very, very different. A month into the semester and not one exercise number, identifier or description has lined up.I ended up renting the third edition, but will hold on to this 2nd edition for reference down the road. Again, good content, recommendable material. Don't much care for the layout and organization, but that's not a big deal.

Well, I was a jamoke and waited for the last minute to get this book for class. However, I saw that it was cheaper on Amazon and that I could order it, hoping that it would arrive before my class the following week. What I didn't know was, the seller lived in Illinois (close to my house) and after ordering it -- having it arrive literally two days later. I was very pleased with the condition of the book (as it was stated, in good condition,) and having it arrive very early -- definitely made my day. I recommend anyone who's looking for their last minute books, to order theirs from these guys! Oh, the book is good too, just because it's good for the use of writing short stories, fictional writing -- etc. Definitely recommended for the new writer in us, or the advanced once, to pick up, read, and learn many new ways of constructional writing.

Required for college. Expensive

If people can take the time to read and do all the exercises from this book, I think it will help tremendously. I had never done creative writing even outside of high school, so when it was assigned as a class textbook, I was amazed by it. Students nowadays aren't taught to find their own voice in writing when they are in high school because all they write are essays. Writing fiction really helped me to break away from the monotony and write what I want. And this book has great tips and exercise, they also have a lot of great short story examples to go along with it. And they are all very enjoyable to read. I have not done every single exercise, but for the ones I did, I was able to get a good push-off.

After a few years of teaching English, I still use exercises from that book to motivate students to write their own stories. Even I am still triggered and inspired whenever I have a look into the book again. Great work!

C'est un livre remarquable et indispensable à tous les écrivains en devenir ou à ceux déjà confirmés. Je le recommande fortement à tous.