Chapter 1 Invitation to the Writer

  • You …
  • Journal Excerpts
  • A word about your workshop …

Part I  The Elements of Craft
Chapter 2 Image

  • Readings
  • Creative Nonfiction
  • Fiction
  • Poems
  • Drama

Chapter 3 Voice

  • Readings
  • Creative Nonfiction
  • Fiction
  • Poems
  • Drama

Chapter 4 Character

  • Readings
  • Creative Nonfiction
  • Fiction
  • Poems
  • Drama

Chapter 5 Setting

  • Readings
  • Creative Nonfiction
  • Fiction
  • Poems
  • Drama

Chapter 6 Story

  • Readings
  • Creative Nonfiction
  • Fiction
  • Poems
  • Drama

Chapter 7 Development and Revision

  • Developing a Draft
  • Structuring
  • Research
  • Revision
  • Editing
  • The Workshop
  • Examples

Part II  The Genres
Chapter 8 Creative Nonfiction

  • Readings
  • Creative Nonfiction Format

Chapter 9 Fiction

  • Story and Plot
  • Scene and Summary
  • Backstory and Flashback
  • Text and Subtext
  • Readings
  • Fiction Format

Chapter 10 Poetry

  • Formal and Free Verse
  • Working with Sound
  • The Poetic Line
  • Imagery, Connotation, and Metaphor
  • Density and Intensity
  • Finding the Poem
  • Readings
  • Poetry Format

Chapter 11 Drama

  • The Difference Between Drama and Fiction
  • Sight: Sets, Action, Costumes, Props
  • Sound: Verbal and Nonverbal
  • Structure: Making a Scene
  • The Ten-Minute Play
  • Readings
  • Drama Format

Appendix A: A Basic Prosody
Appendix B: Line Editing
Glossary
Credits
Index