Complete Idiot's Guide To Creative Writing

DwayneA · Oct 18, 2007

I've purchased a copy of this book on Ebay and am waiting for it to arrive. What can I expect? Has anyone read it?

Kudra · Oct 18, 2007

DwayneA said:
What can I expect?

1. It will assume you're an idiot.
2. It will try to teach you creative writing.
3. You'll throw it against the wall, come back here and learn writing with Uncle Jim.

Azraelsbane · Oct 18, 2007

My opinion of the Complete Idiot's Guides is that they were written by complete idiots. They are known for a massive amount of errors especially ones dealing with grammar/punctuation. Personal opinion, of course.

Shadow_Ferret · Oct 18, 2007

The Complete Idiot guides are useful if you are a complete idiot. Not very useful if you've attended any sort of elementary level educational facility.

In other words, if you went to high school and paid attention, these books won't teach you much more.

They are good for learning, and maybe understanding, the basics, but beyond that you'd be better just getting a 7th grade grammar book and reading the "Learn Writing with Uncle Jim" thread.

dolores haze · Oct 18, 2007

Dwayne - I haven't read the book, but I'm sure there's a lot of useful information in there.

You're writing a YA Romance, right? Keep reading books similar to the one you have in mind. Pay attention to the things you think the author is doing well. What makes you want to keep reading the story, and how you can incorporate that into your own writing?

Take a look at the work others are posting in SYW forums. Start thinking critically about other's writing - it will help you start thinking more critically about your own. When you're ready, jump in and do a critique on someone else's work. Doing that will help you accept and incorporate concrit by others.

Good luck.

CaroGirl · Oct 18, 2007

No idea. I've never bought a book that implied the purchaser was a complete idiot. Kind of goes against my principles as an educated professional. I'll teach myself something before I buy a book that calls me names before I even break the spine on it.

ORION · Oct 18, 2007

I'm already an idiot. I don't need a book to teach me that.

Marian Perera · Oct 18, 2007

I don't know if the book deals with aspects of novel writing, but the words "creative writing" would turn me off. It sounds too generic and school-y. I prefer books which are either by professionals in the field or which are specific (How to write science fiction and fantasy) or both.

melaniehoo · Oct 18, 2007

I bought and read:
Idiot's Guide to Intermediate Spanish
Idiot's Guide to Getting Out of Debt

I no longer have debt and I speak Spanish a little better. The debt book had a lot of good advice but the Spanish one annoyed me. I used to be fluent but have lost it over the years (one of the caveats to buying the book, it says) and I got more use out of a pocket grammar book.

I'm sure you'll at least get something useful from it. Packing peanuts...

I kid.

Hummingbird · Oct 18, 2007

I have the book.

It is basic, but it has a few fun things in there. Mainly I look at it to get a laugh. The author has funny comments scattered through out the book.

I bought the book before I came to this website. I've learned more from AW then the book, but it was still fun to read and look at.

Red-Green · Oct 18, 2007

I bought the Complete Idiot's guide to home buying, because I was indeed an idiot about how to buy a house. It was helpful, but then buying a house is a much narrower field of inquiry than "creative writing." I would not rely upon that one book, when there are so many books out there more tried and true, written by actual writers of some note.

badducky · Oct 18, 2007

Uncle Jim is better, and cheaper.

(Wow that statement sounds like it's just begging to be taken out of context...)

Kudra · Oct 18, 2007

I heart Uncle Jim.

Azraelsbane · Oct 18, 2007

badducky said:
Uncle Jim is better, and cheaper.

(Wow that statement sounds like it's just begging to be taken out of context...)

If it makes you feel better, I did indeed take it out of context.

preyer · Oct 18, 2007

if they ever write 'the complete idiot's guide to hyptnotizing women,' someone let me know, will ya?

hey, you never know, you may find some nuggets in there.

before you buy anything else, let me know. even food. don't spend another dime on a meal until you ask. you won't starve, trust me, because i'm well known for completely finishing every

mscelina · Oct 18, 2007

you know, I've read LOTS of books on writing/creative writing/fiction writing/novel writing and I managed to take something away from each and every one. The thing to remember about these 'tell-all' books is not to take any of them as absolute gospel.

no, not even Stephen King.

but as far as practical advice and technique tips? pshaw. you get those here for free.

Elodie-Caroline · Oct 18, 2007

Hi,
I've bought loads of how to books on writing over the last year and a half or so. Do you know what, I have read only one of them, that was on how to edit your own novel; the rest of them are just taking up valuable space on my bookshelves.

The best way to learn to write, is to write, write, write! I write, I read, I edit, I rewrite, I reread and I re-edit. For me, this teaches me to write at my absolute best.

Elodie

David I · Oct 19, 2007

I'm holding out for The Complete Illiterate's Guide to Creative Writing.

And Preyer--stay away from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hypnotizing Women. Sure, it works. Works like a charm (which I suppose it is, in a way). But the only thing it works for is making them believe they are Jehovah's Witnesses.

Oops, there's the doorbell. Again.

larocca · Oct 19, 2007

Complete idiots have no business attempting creative writing, because when they do, Hollywood happens.

PeeDee · Oct 19, 2007

I read it, someone gave it to my for Christmas (gee. Thanks.) It was a waste of time. My cats have better ideas about creative writing than those morons.

...it DOES make a handy coaster.

Siddow · Oct 19, 2007

Dwayne, I haven't read it. I just wanted to say:

There is no easy button.

But if something gets you inspired, then it's worth it.

PeeDee · Oct 19, 2007

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creative Writing by Pete Tzinski

1) Write something

2) Finish it

3) Send it to someone

4) While you're waiting, write something else

5) And ever on.

Vincent · Oct 19, 2007

But the title appeals to me...

Azraelsbane · Oct 19, 2007

Elodie-Caroline said:
Hi,
I've bought loads of how to books on writing over the last year and a half or so. Do you know what, I have read only one of them, that was on how to edit your own novel; the rest of them are just taking up valuable space on my bookshelves.

The best way to learn to write, is to write, write, write! I write, I read, I edit, I rewrite, I reread and I re-edit. For me, this teaches me to write at my absolute best.

Elodie

This post bears repeating.

WendyNYC · Oct 19, 2007

CaroGirl said:
No idea. I've never bought a book that implied the purchaser was a complete idiot. Kind of goes against my principles as an educated professional. I'll teach myself something before I buy a book that calls me names before I even break the spine on it.

I'm sure it's meant to be tongue-in-cheek. I bought The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Judaism when I first moved to New York because on this subject, well, I WAS a complete idiot and I wanted a quick-and-dirty guide. I didn't plan on studying the subject. But it's helpful to know that you say "Have an easy fast" instead of "Hey! Happy Yom Kippur!"

Complete Idiot's Guide To Creative Writing

Back and on track

Agony is defeat

Court Jester

international guttersnipe

Living the dream

Sailed away years ago

starting over

And thus we begin the edits

Pen, Paper, Prepared. ...Write!

KoalaKoalaKoala!

No Time For Chitchat, Kemosabe.

Back and on track

Agony is defeat

excessively spartan

Teh doommobile, drivin' rite by you

Proofreader

Where's my tea, please...?

I'm super! Thanks for asking

Where's my tea, please...?

Cheers

Agony is defeat

fiddle-dee-dee