Scan barcode
A review by somesuchlike
The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing by David Morley
3.0
This book is full of useful information, but I found it quite dry and difficult to read; it took me a long time to get through it. This is very much an introduction to creative writing as an academic discipline, which I did find interesting as I am about to take a creative writing course - but it's not going to be everyone's thing.
Additionally, given the personal nature of writing I'm not sure it's a subject that's well-suited to the kind of general study you get from a Cambridge Introduction. No matter what kind of writer you are, the chances are there'll be at least one chapter here that's not helpful to you; I skimmed the poetry and creative nonfiction chapters. I really enjoyed the history of creative writing sections but 'creative writing in the academy and community' bored me to tears. Whatever your interests are, this is going to be a patchy read.
I do have to agree with other reviewers that the writing games/exercises are excellent. They don't all look like my cup of tea, but they're all interesting and challenging, not to mention extremely varied. The 'further reading' sections are also very helpful and in-depth. However, if you're not interested in the academic side of creative writing it's not worth buying this book just for the exercises and reading lists; there's other writing books that will be much more interesting and helpful.
Additionally, given the personal nature of writing I'm not sure it's a subject that's well-suited to the kind of general study you get from a Cambridge Introduction. No matter what kind of writer you are, the chances are there'll be at least one chapter here that's not helpful to you; I skimmed the poetry and creative nonfiction chapters. I really enjoyed the history of creative writing sections but 'creative writing in the academy and community' bored me to tears. Whatever your interests are, this is going to be a patchy read.
I do have to agree with other reviewers that the writing games/exercises are excellent. They don't all look like my cup of tea, but they're all interesting and challenging, not to mention extremely varied. The 'further reading' sections are also very helpful and in-depth. However, if you're not interested in the academic side of creative writing it's not worth buying this book just for the exercises and reading lists; there's other writing books that will be much more interesting and helpful.