Archive for the ‘Inspiration & Creativity’ Category

“This Is Not A Book,” Keri Smith

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Pros: Very freeing; highly unusual; childlike and playful
Cons: Needs a few more blank pages to keep exercises from interfering with each other
Rating: 4 out of 5

Review book courtesy of Penguin Group.
Also posted on Epinions.com.

 

Keri Smith’s Wreck This Journal was a lot of fun to play with and review, so I was looking forward to This Is Not A Book. Once again, Keri fills a bunch of pages with weird, wacky creativity-building exercises that’ll definitely have you coloring outside the lines—and outside of the pages!

 
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“Wreck This Journal,” Keri Smith

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

Pros: Very freeing; highly unusual; childlike and playful
Cons: A couple of details could have been thought out better
Rating: 4 out of 5

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“No One Cares What You Had For Lunch,” Margaret Mason

Friday, February 22nd, 2008

Pros: Clever, creative, useful, entertaining
Cons: Not a one
Rating: 5 out of 5

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“Thinkpak, Revised,” from Michael Michalko

Tuesday, June 19th, 2007

Pros: A playful, useful toy to help you loosen up and create; portable and quick; self-contained
Cons: None
Rating: 5 out of 5

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“Thinkertoys, Second Edition,” by Michael Michalko

Monday, June 18th, 2007

Pros: An incredible range of inspiring exercises with many suggestions and fascinating anecdotes
Cons: Occasional confusions
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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“The 3 A.M. Epiphany: Uncommon Writing Exercises That Transform Your Fiction,” by Brian Kiteley

Monday, July 17th, 2006

Pros: Tons of exercises; plenty of variations; many technique suggestions; the exercises have a purpose beyond simple inspiration
Cons: Occasional mild confusions; some discussions of techniques/trends you might not understand without a college literature or writing education
Rating: 5 out of 5
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“Fast Fiction: Creating Fiction in Five Minutes,” Roberta Allen

Thursday, June 29th, 2006

Pros: Great ideas
Cons: Rambling style (and a few other small, niggly things)
Rating: 4 out of 5
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“The Writer’s Path: A Guidebook for Your Creative Journey,” Walton & Toomay

Wednesday, June 28th, 2006

Pros: Fantastic advice, wonderful exercises and lots of fun!
Cons: Maybe too many examples?
Rating: 5 out of 5
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“Inner Outings: The Diarist’s Deck of 33 Cards and Book of Exploration,” Geiss and Jessup

Tuesday, June 27th, 2006

Pros: Very cool cards; some neat journal-writing ideas
Cons: Card suggestions could have more depth; some writing too clinical
Rating: 4 out of 5
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“Zen in the Art of Writing,” Ray Bradbury

Friday, June 23rd, 2006

Pros: Wonderful advice beautifully written; inspirational
Cons: None
Rating: 5 out of 5
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