Review: 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creative Writing' by Laurie E Rozakis, PhD

The Complete Idiot's guide to Creative Writing, Second Edition: Expert Tips on Crafting Essays, Short Stories, Memoirs, and More by Laurie E Rozakis, PhD, 2004, Alpha Books, $18.95, softbound, 358 pages. Category/Genre: writing how-to. Cover: meh. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million. 


Part One of this book aims to aid the reader in tapping his creative potential by offering writing activities. 

Part Two teaches how to develop plot, characters, structure, settings, and dialogue, as well as finding your own narrative voice. 

Part Three goes over nonfiction, such as poetry, memoirs, essays, and magazine articles. You will find here an overview of poetry (figurative language, rhythm, poetic technique, and rhyme). 

Part Four covers drama, scripts, and screenplays, and teaches the different types of screenplays you can write. Also included is how to write a premise and a treatment. 

Part Five talks about additional resources, such as contests and grants, creative writing classes, and editors. Also explored is publication, including online publication and self-publication. Writer's block is also addressed. 

There are many tips and hints along the way. The book is thorough and informative. 

If you like this one, try: Suggestions?