Imaginative Writing 4th Edition

Imaginative Writing: The Elements of Craft (FOURTH edition)By Janet Burroway'Reviewed by C J Singh (Berkeley, Calif.).I've been using Janet Burroway's IMAGINATIVE WRITING: THE ELEMENTS OF CRAFT in my introductory workshops, starting with the first edition. The participants' anonymous evaluations of this book have been highly favorable. Why should you have confidence in Burroway's book? Just look at the list of her publications on page (ii) -- every creative writing genrè! Moreover, she's taught creative writing for decades. Your study of this book will anchor you into a firm foundation for all of your future creative writing. How? By Re-reading as a Writer its 61 Masterpiece examples and internalizing narrative-craft elements by DOING its Try This Prompts.The fourth edition adds several new short stories, creative nonfictions, poems, dramas and drops some of those in the third edition, keeping the overall page count in the book about the same. The new stories added are by Tobias Wolff, Jamaica Kincaid, Ursula Le Guin and others; new examples of creative nonfictions are from Michael Chabon, David Sedaris, and others. Also new are nearly half of the poems and dramas.Some of the additions are from the most widely anthologized. That's good for beginners: if you haven't read them before, they are great additions; good for instructors: if you have read them before, they cut down your preparation time.Tobias Wolff's "Bullet in the Brain" is an excellent example of innovative craft. The extended use of what the main character did not remember in his dying moments to show-and-tell the back-story and the one childhood event that he did remember to reveal the theme of the story. The theme, in my reading: the protagonist in his childhood had great love for the music of language, which got vitiated by his choice of profession, that of a book critic - a 'deformation professionelle' characterized by habitual cynical language.The expository sections of Poetry and Drama are expanded. Particularly helpful will be the first and final drafts of Elizabeth Bishop's poem "One Art" and Patty Seyburn's "Anatomy of Disorder."In the Revision section, Burroway wisely retains an example from her own work because only the author can authoritatively know her changing intentions in the re-drafting process. As in the earlier editions, the author invites instructors to email her with suggestions. This feedback has helped the author clarify exposition and enhance her book with every new edition. It's currently a required textbook at UCBerkeley and numerous other creative-writing programs world-wide.Based on my experience of using this book as the main text in writing workshops, I recommend reading Chapter 6, "Story" first: "As readers, we will always, if the story succeeds, have our capacity for empathy enlarged by having lived in the character's skin for the duration. Every story is in this important human sense a 'love story'." (p 167)Janet Burroway's unique multigenre approach, lucid expositions, and "Try This" prompts make IMAGINATIVE WRITING the top recommendation for learning the elements of the creative-writing craft.

I've taken two other Intro to Writing classes on line in the past two years so I'm not a novice writer. I bought this book to teach and inspire myself to write with prompts and instruction. I have to say that this book, by itself, is better than the two online classes I took at the famous Gotham Writers Workshop out of NYC. This book is so clearly written and touches on all aspects of writing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, etc and she gives wonderful interesting writing prompts along the way. I feel like I am having my own private class with the author and I am excited to sit down and (try) to write each day. Thank you so much for this book!

This was a required reading for a class but honestly had some pretty good short stories. This came fast and in good condition and did everything I needed it to for my creative writing class.

Not terribly helpful for advanced writers.

A required text for a class I'm taking. I like the author's examples and encouragement. Lots of great writing prompts.

I was writing master's thesis during the lockdown. Access to the university library was limited and I was thankful to have this as a reference and guide.

Bought this for a creative writing course and was put in good use. The text as good and useful information and fun exercises to try.

I started out renting this book for my intro to creative writing class and ended up buying it. Janet Burroway breaks it all down--there's enough theory and practice here to keep an accomplished writer learning and writing for years. And she herself is a gifted writer, making the book thoroughly enjoyable as well as invaluable as a learning guide and resource.

If you want to hone your creative writing this book is jammed full of juice. It’s not your mothers text book, it’s a new breed that you can apply to becoming a great writer.

A teacher of creative writing myself, I bought this as the textbook for a creative writing course at UC Berkeley Extension, "The Craft of Writing." I've picked up well over a hundred books on creative writing so far in my career, and this is the best. The book offers a thorough breakdown of all the elements of creative writing -- image, voice, character, setting, story -- and offers a wealth of tools and techniques, as well as exercises to try them out. Each section features outstanding mentor pieces (examples from published works) across the genres, which are worth reading on their own. Whether you're just starting out or you're a professional writer looking to hone your craft, this is the book you want.

Great book!

Even though I needed this book for a Creative Writing class, the book itself is amusing to read. I love all the actiites in it too. Helps with writer's block.

I’ve not read this yet but from the outset was expecting a little more for the cost!