ABOUT WRITING your essential #writing manual (#paperback #xmas #MFRWAuthor @MFRW_ORG)

It's finally here! About Writing, my writing manual.

It's a compilation of both my writing primers in one handy, inexpensive paperback, perfect for Christmas gift-giving to the aspiring or advanced writer you know.

Here's what people said about the books included in About Writing:

PLOTTING AND PLANNING: 

Sue has written a concise manual that is valuable for both beginning and seasoned writers. Going to write a book? Read this first! 

--Bestselling suspense author Kylie Brant 

Suz deMello's PLOTTING AND PLANNING is a concise, informative, and entertaining look at writing a novel. 

--Paranormal author Silver James

Regarding the other book that's in ABOUT WRITING: 

Not only did WRITE THIS NOT THAT! reach #2 on Amazon’s writing reference list, but it also garnered many five star reviews: 

Five stars...good advice and fun to read.

--Jo Frye 

Five stars... Kudos to the author for a well-written manual! 

--Book CraZ Five stars from me... 

This short guide covers the essentials and is useful for both new and experienced writers. 

                                                --Author Catherine Cavendish

Here's a little taste:

PLOTTING AND PLANNING

There are three rules to writing a novel.

Unfortunately, no one knows

what they are.

--Somerset Maugham

For decades, I sensed a creative spark glowing feebly inside me. I tried everything I could to nurture that tiny ember and fan it into a blaze. I sang in concert choirs and rock bands. I painted and made craft projects; I remember buying Styrofoam balls, rick-rack and sequins one Christmas when I was about nine. I recall how great I felt when Mrs. Elliott, my friend Dru's mother, bought one of my primitive ornaments for a whole thirty-five cents.

Later I majored in art without, alas, a shred of talent at drawing. The leap from pen to brush didn't come easily—some say I never bridged that gap.

My preference for the pen was a sign I ignored or didn't know how to interpret.

Woodcut by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
via Wikimedia Commons

And unfortunately, creative writing units in middle school English classes didn't help. They never answered this basic question: How does an author write a book?

Unfortunately for aspiring authors, this is not an easy question to answer. It’s tantamount to asking, Where do authors get their ideas? which, believe me, is our least favorite question. I often tell people I get them at Sears—they’re sold by the dozen in the basement between the barbecues and the bikes.

I needed years of study to learn how to write a story, but ideas are actually the easiest part of it. I find them almost anywhere. Maybe a magazine article about a place or event. Perhaps someone I meet or something a person says may trigger a train of thought that will eventually lead to a book. Maybe travel to someplace new ignites the creative spark that will inspire me.

Here’s a better question: What are the building blocks of plot and story?

Like what you read? Buy it here:

http://tinyurl.com/deMelloAboutWriting 

This is part of a blog hop! Check out other authors' work via the links below: