The Bloomsbury Introduction to Creative Writing

Introduction: The Knowing Writer
On writing
On knowing
Tips on attacking the practical exercises

1. Writing and Knowledge
The writers' block myth
The reading writer
Knowing
Your writer self
Emotion as material

2. Writing the Self
Memoir and autobiography
Reflective writing
Human interest features
Personal essays, and 'Why I Write'

3. Poetics and Poetry Composition
Poetic movements: An abridged whirlwind history
Poetry as 'language distilled'
Sound devices
Poetry and orality
Form and meaning
Finding your poem

4. Fiction Conventions
Fiction and creativity: The anecdote, the muse and the visionary
Often forgotten forms of fiction
Ideas and themes
Narrative structure
Narrative structure toolbox
Plot and conflict
Characterization
Setting: Time, place and context
Finding your voice
Genre fiction

5. Screenwriting
Screenwriting as literary form
The slug line
Action
Dialogue
Characterization
Theme and narrative
Screenwriting technical toolbox

6. Writing for Performance
Performance as hybrid art
One-act plays
Monologue and soliloquy
Spoken word

7. Writing for Digital Media
The dark side of digital content
Digital storytelling
Video scripts for social media
Writing for video games
Writing for virtual reality
Web 2.0 and journalism as conversation
Online media toolbox
Personal publishing

8. Critique and Exegesis
Critique
Referencing scholarly texts
Referencing creative texts
Analyzing your creative work
Conclusions
Critique writing toolbox
Exegesis
Exegesis research methods
Identifying your exegetical thesis
Hermeneutics and close reading as primary research
Exegesis planning and structure
Linking creative and scholarly writing

Glossary of Terms
Works Cited
Index