Library

To borrow a book, notify me at [email protected] and I will deliver the book at our next meeting (for members of the senior center writing group, I can bring books there also). If you need it quickly, I can arrange to have you pick it up at my house.

To borrow a book, you must be a paid-up member of the Elk Grove Writers Guild. Borrowing periods are two months but will be extended if no one else is asking for that book. Here’s the current list of Guild books:

Title Author Blurb Available Published
101 Best Scenes Ever Written Conrad, Barnaby Delight in the best scenes ever written TRUE 2007
Art and Craft of Storytelling, The Lamb, Nancy Whether you’re writing a novel, a memoir, or a screenplay, this book offers time-tested ways to translate a concrete idea into a polished boo. TRUE 2008
Art of Dramatic Writing Egri, Lajos Its basis in the creative interpretation of human motives. TRUE 1960
Art of Time in Memoir Birkerts, Sven The memorist’s essential art of assembling patterns of meaning TRUE 2008
Attention-Grabbing Query & Cover Letters Wood, John Read this book and immediately begin to write energetic, masterly, persuasive letters. TRUE 1996
Building Better Plots Kernen, Robert Fill-in charts, quick quizzes, timelines, and a complete plot tutorial on constructing a strong narrative arc. TRUE 1999
Building Great Sentences: Exploring the Writer’s Craft Landon, Brooks Excellent course in 24 half-hour lectures running through all the ways sentences get longer – and shorter. Includes DVD’s and guidebook TRUE 2008
Cause of Death Wilson, Keith D, M.D. A writer’s guide to death, murder, and forensic medicine TRUE 1992
Characters & Viewpoint Card, Orson Scott How to invent, construct, and animate vivid, credible characters and choose the best eyes trough which to view the events of your short story or novel. TRUE 1988
Clockwork Muse, The Zerubavel, Eviator A practical guide to writing theses, dissertations, and books TRUE 1999
Compact Handbook Aaron, Jane E. Concisely answers questions about the writing process, paragraphs, clarity and style, grammar, research writing, and more TRUE 1995
Complete Idiot’s Guide to Creative Writing Rozakis, Laurie E., Ph.D. Step-by-step guidelines, valuable tips, and down-to-earth advice. TRUE 1997
Concise Guide to Writing Axelrod, Rise B. and Cooper, Charles R. Six guided writing assignments along with readings and strategies for writing and research in a brief, flexible, easy-to-use format. TRUE 2002
Creating Poetry Drury, John How to begin a poem, use word combinations and new forms, apply the lessons from master poets to individual poems, choose and use images and words carefully. TRUE 1991
Dictionary of Word Origins Almond, Jordan A history of the words, expressions, and cliches we use. TRUE 1996
Elements of Screenwriting, The Blacker, Irwin R. A non-nonsense course in screenwriting basics: plot, character, conflict, crisis, climax, exposition, and dialogue. Includes concrete examples from well-known films. TRUE 1986
Elements of Style Strunk, William Jr. and White, E. B. Classic description of many of the pitfalls writers can fall into. TRUE 1979
Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression Ackerman, Angela and Puglisi, Becca If you need inspiration for creating characters’ emotional responses that are personalized and evocative, this ultimate show-don’t-tell guide for emotion can help. TRUE 2012
Encyclopedia of Mystery & Detection Steinbrunner, Chris; Penzler, Otto A dictionary of mystery writers with short biographies. TRUE 1976
English Grammar Boot Camp Curzan, Anne Course guidebook for the same-named Great Courses lecture series. TRUE 0
English Grammar for Dummies Woods, Geraldine Avoid speech blunders and grammar foul-ups with this friendly, practical guide! TRUE 2001
Fine Art of Murder, The Gorman, Ed; Greenberg, Martin; Segriff, Larry  ed. The perfect accessory to any crime imaginable. TRUE 1993
Getting Hooked – Fiction’s Opening Sentences 1950s-1990s Rendall-Smock, Sharon ed. 50 years of winning opening sentences divided by decade and genre. TRUE 1996
Handbook of Good English, The Johnson, Edward E. A comprehensive, easy-to-use guide to modern grammar, puntuation, usage, and style. TRUE 1982
Harbrace Handbook Glenn, Miller, Webb, and Gray General handbook of grammar and writing. TRUE 2004
Harper’s English Grammar Opdycke, G=Jog=hn B., Ph.D. Be a winner in the laguage game when you know the rules. TRUE 1965
Heroines of Popular Culture Browne, Pat [ed.] Covers a wide range of heroic women from those in nineteenth century literature to those in rock music. TRUE 1987
How to Blog a Book Amir, Nina Write, publish, and promote your work one post at a time. TRUE 2012
How to Prepare Your Manuscript for a Publisher Carroll, David L. Everything you need to know to prepare your manuscript for a publisher. TRUE 1995
How to Write Killer Fiction Wheat, Carolyn How to achieve your writing and publishing goals TRUE 2003
How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy Card, Orson Scott Science fiction great Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game) shares his expertise. TRUE 1990
Ideas and Patterns for Writing Spotts, Carle B. Collection of readings designed to stimulate ideas to bring freshness to writing. TRUE 1967
Legends of Literature Sexton, Phillip [ed.] The best articles, interviews, and essays from the archives of Writer’s Digest magazine. TRUE 2007
LERA Writer’s Guide, The various The ultimate guide to writing and your career as a writer TRUE 1994
Little Red Writing Book, The Royal, Brandon A concise guide to penning strong and effective work for all occasions. TRUE 2004
Making of a Poem, The Strand and Boland Chapters offering explanation, close reading, and a rich selection of examples that demonstrate the power and possibilities of each form. TRUE 2000
Marshall Plan for Getting Your Novel Published, The Marshall, Evan 90 strategies and techniques for selling your fiction. TRUE 2003
Marshall Plan for Novel Writing, The Marshall, Evan A 16-step program quaranteed to take you from idea to completed manuscript. TRUE 1998
Marshall Plan Workbook, The – Writing Your Novel From Start to Finish Marshall, Evan Companion to The Marshal Plan for Novel Writing TRUE 2001
Mastering Suspense Structure & Plot Cleland, Jane K. How to write gripping stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats TRUE 0
Murder One – A Writer’s Guide to Homicide Corvasce and Paglino The nuts and bolts necessary to build your fictional murder scenario. TRUE 1997
Narrative Technique Uzzell, Thomas H. A practical course in literary psychology. TRUE 1935
On Editing Corner-Bryant, Helen and Price, Kathryn How to edit your novel the professional way TRUE 2018
On Writing Well Zinsser, William An informal guide to writing nonfiction. TRUE 1990
Penguin Handbook, The Faigley, Lester Improve writing, solve grammar problems, and successfully complete research projects TRUE 2006
Pep Talks for Writers Faulkner, Grant Kick start your creativity, tap into your mojo, and help take that next step with your writing. TRUE 2017
Perfecting Plot – Charting the Hero’s Journey Bernhardt, William Reveals the secrets that will keep readers riveted to your story. TRUE 2013
Practical Stylist, The Baker, Sheridan A text for writing essays stressing style and persuasive writing. TRUE 1990
Prose Style – A Contempory Guide Miles, Bertonasco, and Karns Basic principles of expository and argumentative style. TRUE 1977
Reading Like a Writer Prose, Francine A guide for people who love books and for those who want to write them. TRUE 2006
Romance Writers of America Workshop Handouts various Handout materials from writing conference TRUE 2005
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel Brody, Jessica Will help you dissect any plot conumdrum, conceive your story’s blueprint, and give a beat to every pivot of your hero’s journey TRUE 0
Say What? The Fiction Writer’s Handy Guide to Grammar, Punctuation, and Word Usage Lakin, C. S. Whether you’re a novice or experienced writer, you’ll benefit from these clear and helpful explanation of grammar and usage based on The Chicago Manual of Style TRUE 0
Secrets of Great Mystern and Suspense Fiction Schmid, David Eighteen hour course in 36 half-hour lectures exploring the subject from various angles. Includes DVDs and guidebook TRUE 2016
Stein on Writing Stein, Sol A master editor of some of the most successful writers of our century shares his craft techniques and strategies TRUE 0
Story Trumps Structure James, Steven How to write unforgettable fiction by breaking the rules. TRUE 2014
Structuring your Novel Weiland, K. M. Essential keys for writing an outstanding story TRUE 0
Style Williams, Joseph M, Ten lessons in clarity and grace. TRUE 1885
Stylized – A Slightly Obsessive History of Strunk & White’s The Elements of Style Garvey, Mark A helpful guide to creating better prose and a compelling reminder of the virtues of clarity, simplicity, and truth in writing. TRUE 2009
Successful Script Writing Wolff, Jurgen and Cox, Kerry How to write and pitch winning scripts for movies, sitcoms, soaps, serials, and variety shows. TRUE 1988
Successful Synopsis, The various A collection of real synopses that sold, turned in by authors from the Central Florida Romance Writers TRUE 2005
Technique of the Novel, The Uzzell, Thomas H. An analysis of one hundred important novels. TRUE 1959
TV Scriptwriter’s Handbook, The Brenner, Alfred Everything you want and need to know about writing for television. TRUE 1980
Vein of Gold, A – A Journey to Your Creative Heart Cameron, Julia Author uses her extensive artistic and teaching experience to steer readers toward ever-widening creative horizons through doing features inspiring teachings on the creative process and more than one hundred imaginative, involving, and energizing tasks. TRUE 1996
Walking in this World Cameron, Julia Part Two (part one was The Artist’s Way) in a course on discovering and recovering the creative self. TRUE 2002
Ways of Reading – An Anthology for Writers Bartholomae, David & Petrosky, Anthony expects students to use their minds, challenging, provoking, and stimulating critical inquiry. TRUE 2005
Weinberg on Writing – The Fieldstone Method Weinberg, Gerald M. Secrets of gathering, organizing, and discarding writing ideas from an author of more than 40 nonfiction books. TRUE 2006
Well-Tempered Sentence, The Gordon, Karen Elizabeth Handbook on punctuation TRUE 1983
What If? – Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers Bernays, Anne & Painter, Pamela Organized by the elements of fiction and comprised primarily of writing exercises, What If? helps students hone and refine their craft with a practical, hands-on approach to writing fiction. TRUE 2004
World-building Gillett, Stephen L. A writers guide to constructing star systems and life-supporting planets. TRUE 1996
Write Your Novel From the Middle Bell, James Scott A new approach for plotters, pantsers, and everyone in between TRUE 0
Writers Inc Sabranek, Mwyer, and Kemper A guide to writing, thinking, and learning. TRUE 1990
Writer’s Options – Lessons in Style and Arrangement Morenberg, Max & Sommers, Jeff Helps students of all abilities recognize their many options in controlling sentence structures, making informed and creative decisions about the best sentence, paragraph, and essay strategies to use in their writing. TRUE 2003
Writer’s Reference, A Hacker, Diana An easy to use grammar reference handbook. TRUE 1999
Writing Down the Bones Deck Goldberg, Natalie 60 cards to free the writer within FALSE 2021
Writing Fantasy Heroes Waltx, Jason M. [ed.] Powerful advice from professionals. TRUE 2013
Writing Fiction – A Guide to Narrative Craft Burroway, Janet This comprehensive, informal, practical guide and anthology approaches the elements of fiction from the writer’s point of view TRUE 2000
Writing Great Fiction: Storytelling Tips and Techniques Hynes, James The course book for the same-named Great Courses lecture series TRUE 0
Writing in Context Paragraphs and Essays Kirszner, Laurie G. and Mandell, Stephen R. An innovative paragraph-to-essay worktext that places primary emphasis on the student’s own writing. TRUE 2003
Writing Television & Motion Picture Scripts That Sell Goodman, Evelyn How to create a teleplay or screenplay that will capture viewer interest at once and sustain it to the final fadeout. TRUE 1982
Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook Maass, Donald Hands-on help for making your novel stand out and succeed TRUE 2004
Writing the Fiction Synopsis – A Step by Step Approach McCutcheon, Pam A workshop in book form on writing a synopsis of your book. TRUE 1998