Courage and Craft: Writing Your Life into Story | 
| Author: Barbara Abercrombie
Publisher: New World Library
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $8.39
You Save: $6.56 (44%)
New (37) Used (8) from $8.28
Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 30947
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 160
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7
ISBN: 1577316010
Dewey Decimal Number: 808.06692
EAN: 9781577316015
ASIN: 1577316010
Publication Date: August 28, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Shipping: International shipping available
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Book Description
Have you always wanted to write about your life but wondered how to get started, how to keep going, and whether it's even worth it in the first place? Under the guidance of veteran author and writing teacher Barbara Abercrombie, you'll learn how to turn the messy, crazy, sad, and wonderful stuff of your life into prose or poetry that has order, clarity, and meaning. Abercrombie presents the nuts and bolts of several genres, showing you how to keep a journal, craft a personal essay, or write a memoir, autobiography, poem, or work of fiction. She offers lessons to embolden you as a writer and practical guidelines for working writing into your everyday life, giving and receiving feedback, and getting your work published. In Courage & Craft, you'll find exercises to keep the inner critic at bay, inspiration from writers who've been there, and proven advice for getting your words on the page and out into the world.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Excellent Resource for All Writers May 25, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
As an author and writing coach, I'm always on the lookout for good resource material to recommend to clients and students in my workshops. This one particularly got my attention because it tells how to give real depth, authenticity and meaning to our writing by drawing from our own life experiences. As every successful writer knows, without that ability even the most exciting "thriller" sounds flat and unconvincing. This book tells how to draw from our life experiences while not actually being biographical, that is, by capturing the essence of an experience--the emotion and spirit of a moment--and putting it into proper context with a character you may have created. No matter what your chosen genre--fiction, non-fiction, autobiography, or poetry--this is a book you should read and keep on your reference shelf. --Hal Z Bennett
Excellent. January 14, 2008
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I bought this book on a whim. I'd always loved writing and was looking for a guide to help me get started and to point me in the right direction. I definitely found exactly what I needed in Courage & Craft. It's full of exercises designed not only to get you thinking and seeing the world as a writer, but also to get you into the actual habit of writing (if you aren't already). It's supportive and inspiring. So much so, that I barely got through the first chapter before I was itching get going with her first exercises.
Thanks for this fabulous kickstart. I'm so happy to have purchased this book.
Courage & Craft October 12, 2007
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
Whether you are a want-to-be writer who needs a little push in the right direction or are starting a journey of self knowledge, Courage & Craft is a good place to start. This book advocates regular journaling. I write in my journal on a daily basis. I find that not only do these entries serve as a good historical record of my journey but also get me into the practice of writing. Therefore, when I sit down to actually write, I don't find it quite as intimidating.
In the past few years I've read several books on journaling. In my mind, Courage & Craft is set apart from the rest for a number of reasons. Each portion of information in this book is followed by practical to do exercises. The exercises I found most useful were questions or ideas that got me thinking and wanting to express my opinion which naturally drew in me to begin writing.
I liked that the author's cues interspersed descriptions of everyday things with deeper subjects of the past. I love the notion of self knowledge but frankly trying to find something profound to write each day is rather overwhelming. Just knowing that I can write about an object in the room or what the weather is and still be moving forward in the process is very freeing.
Inspiration September 28, 2007
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
Barbara Abercrombie's book is a storehouse of information and inspiration. If you aspire to be a writer, this is the book for you. And if you already claim to be one, well, this book will inspire and encourage you to put out your very best work. Loved it!
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