I originally bought this book because I couldn’t afford to take a college course on creative writing. This book fits the bill perfectly for me. I have been in a writer’s group for a year. I started with very little knowledge of creative writing, having majored in a different course of study in college. After a year, I have written many short stories, but I wanted to try poetry, and some new genres. Learning how to use words differently, fascinated me. This book is a hidden gem. It is filled with so much great information helpful to a writer. A smorgasbord of varying assignments keeps me occupied and looking forward to more.
Ms. Hodde’s style is so warm and encouraging, that I found myself wanting to try something new. While reading, I highlighted and underlined, as well as made notes in the margins. Often, I will be looking up some aspect of writing, and find myself continuing to read several more chapters, because I can’t stop reading it. She gives lots of examples and references in a list of links in the print book, so you can easily look them up on the internet. Since doing some of the assignments and incorporating what I am learning from this book, I’m getting good comments from my other writer friends.
-RB 12/17/2021
This concise, reader friendly, extensively connected book is a terrific resource for anyone interested in getting started in creative writing. The author has included hundreds of links to helpful internet resources, so what's actually in the text itself is but the tip of an extremely helpful iceberg. As a writing and literature teacher, I find that this text is far more user-friendly than any textbook I have ever used in class. It is easy to follow and chock-full of great examples and precise directions for writing multiple types of poetry or prose. Although it should be read in its entirety, it can also be used as a quick reference guide that users will be pulling off their shelf for years to come.
-HH 7/21/2020
Hamlet said he "could be bounded in a nutshell and count himself king of infinite space." The famous line defines this exciting book. Ms Hodde give us a concise, truly helpful nutshell of a book and then provides the "infinite space" of links, references, and recommendations. This, for any writer at any level, is a buoyant, stimulating, even inspiring experience. The author's experience, energy, and passion come through on every page.
-BM 7/4/2020
This is an awesome resource book. As a former English teacher who was really more of a writing teacher (according to my students), I would have LOVED to use this book in my classroom. As a freelance writer now, I consider this book the best writing course EVER! The links and resource lists alone make it a winner. If you are into writing in any way, shape or form, you will enjoy this book.
-Kindle Customer 4/30/2021
Over the years, I’ve had many life experiences that I wished to weave into a teaching story. SP Hodde’s ebook on creative writing is helping me in ways I never would have come up with on my own. It’s hard for me to stay focused on instructional material, so I appreciate the concise and enthusiastic manner in which the author conveys her extensive knowledge. Recommend to anyone, on any level, to those thinking of writing a book.
-TA 7/16/2020
I've read nearly 50 books on writing this year and for some reason this little hole-in-the-wall KU Unlimited trounces them all. If you go through this book from beginning to end putting into practice every exercise and read every link, I guarantee you will have a breakthrough. Not only that, the next time you're MFA in-law starts spouting his over educated analysis, you will be able to hold your own. The only dislike I had for this book is so many links and they are bound to be broken sooner or later. Let's just say I had to copy and paste lots of information.*
-CA 7/16/2020
* Author's Note: If this does happen, readers are encouraged in the book to contact me to either repair the link or supply a comparable one. Also, anyone who gets either print version of the book can email for a document with all the referenced links so if you prefer print, you won't miss out.
You can see more reviews on Amazon.
Ms. Hodde’s style is so warm and encouraging, that I found myself wanting to try something new. While reading, I highlighted and underlined, as well as made notes in the margins. Often, I will be looking up some aspect of writing, and find myself continuing to read several more chapters, because I can’t stop reading it. She gives lots of examples and references in a list of links in the print book, so you can easily look them up on the internet. Since doing some of the assignments and incorporating what I am learning from this book, I’m getting good comments from my other writer friends.
-RB 12/17/2021
This concise, reader friendly, extensively connected book is a terrific resource for anyone interested in getting started in creative writing. The author has included hundreds of links to helpful internet resources, so what's actually in the text itself is but the tip of an extremely helpful iceberg. As a writing and literature teacher, I find that this text is far more user-friendly than any textbook I have ever used in class. It is easy to follow and chock-full of great examples and precise directions for writing multiple types of poetry or prose. Although it should be read in its entirety, it can also be used as a quick reference guide that users will be pulling off their shelf for years to come.
-HH 7/21/2020
Hamlet said he "could be bounded in a nutshell and count himself king of infinite space." The famous line defines this exciting book. Ms Hodde give us a concise, truly helpful nutshell of a book and then provides the "infinite space" of links, references, and recommendations. This, for any writer at any level, is a buoyant, stimulating, even inspiring experience. The author's experience, energy, and passion come through on every page.
-BM 7/4/2020
This is an awesome resource book. As a former English teacher who was really more of a writing teacher (according to my students), I would have LOVED to use this book in my classroom. As a freelance writer now, I consider this book the best writing course EVER! The links and resource lists alone make it a winner. If you are into writing in any way, shape or form, you will enjoy this book.
-Kindle Customer 4/30/2021
Over the years, I’ve had many life experiences that I wished to weave into a teaching story. SP Hodde’s ebook on creative writing is helping me in ways I never would have come up with on my own. It’s hard for me to stay focused on instructional material, so I appreciate the concise and enthusiastic manner in which the author conveys her extensive knowledge. Recommend to anyone, on any level, to those thinking of writing a book.
-TA 7/16/2020
I've read nearly 50 books on writing this year and for some reason this little hole-in-the-wall KU Unlimited trounces them all. If you go through this book from beginning to end putting into practice every exercise and read every link, I guarantee you will have a breakthrough. Not only that, the next time you're MFA in-law starts spouting his over educated analysis, you will be able to hold your own. The only dislike I had for this book is so many links and they are bound to be broken sooner or later. Let's just say I had to copy and paste lots of information.*
-CA 7/16/2020
* Author's Note: If this does happen, readers are encouraged in the book to contact me to either repair the link or supply a comparable one. Also, anyone who gets either print version of the book can email for a document with all the referenced links so if you prefer print, you won't miss out.
You can see more reviews on Amazon.
