Book Review: A Guide to Creative Writing

Does the idea of creative writing excite you, but you've no idea how to begin?

Do you want to write a story, a local interest book, or even complete a book of poetry? Maybe you would love to create a legacy piece to hand down to future generations, or capture the essence of your relative’s lives but don't know where to start or what to include?

Between suggestions, tips, anecdotes, and exercises, you will glean a mountain of information that will set you on your way no matter if you are new to creative writing or have a book or three under your belt.

A Guide to Creative Writing by SJ Banham will be published on June 30, 2024. Pen and Sword provided an early galley for review.

As a lifetime amateur writer, I am always looking for helpful books on the subject of writing. My personal collection has several in this category. I also moderate a monthly writing group at our library branch, so I am always eager to find books on the subject to suggest to my friends there.

Banham covers a wide range of topics over ten chapters - from the inspiration to plans for publication. She hits upon various different format as well - fiction, nonfiction and even poetry. There is a little bit of something for everyone in this one.

The longest chapter by far is the one dedicated to fiction (though it does also include sections on inspiration and process - two key aspects of creative writing). As someone whose creative writing mostly falls into the fiction bucket, I certainly appreciated this part of the book. The chapter on troubleshooting also had several useful pointers and tips.

Banham's gentle approach and voice are welcoming and very encouraging. She opens herself to the reader through her own experiences with the hope that they can enlighten those just starting on their writing journeys and to reignite the fires in those who have stepped away from the craft for awhile. She also makes it a point to present potential writers with options; she reiterates often that what might work for one writer might not for another. This is an important point that I don't see often enough in these kinds of books.