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 Published
101 Best Scenes Ever Written Conrad, Barnaby Delight in the best scenes ever written 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. 2008
Art of Dramatic Writing Egri, Lajos Its basis in the creative interpretation of human motives. 1960
Attention-Grabbing Query & Cover Letters Wood, John Read this book and immediately begin to write energetic, masterly, persuasive letters. 1996
Building Better Plots Kernen, Robert Fill-in charts, quick quizzes, timelines, and a complete plot tutorial on constructing a strong narrative arc. 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 2008
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. 1988
Clockwork Muse, The Zerubavel, Eviator A practical guide to writing theses, dissertations, and books 1999
Compact Handbook Aaron, Jane E. Concisely answers questions about the writing process, paragraphs, clarity and style, grammar, research writing, and more 1995
Complete Idiot’s Guide to Creative Writing Rozakis, Laurie E., Ph.D. Step-by-step guidelines, valuable tips, and down-to-earth advice. 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. 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. 1991
Dictionary of Word Origins Almond, Jordan A history of the words, expressions, and cliches we use 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. 1986
Elements of Style Strunk, William Jr. and White, E. B. Classic description of many of the pitfalls writers can fall into. 1979
English Grammar Boot Camp Curzan, Anne Course guidebook for the same-named Great Courses lecture series. 0
Getting Hooked – Fiction’s Opening Sentences 1950s-1990s Rendall-Smock, Sharon ed. 50 years of winning opening sentences divided by decade and genre. 1996
Handbook of Good English, The Johnson, Edward E. A comprehensive, easy-to-use guide to modern grammar, puntuation, usage, and style. 1982
Harbrace Handbook Glenn, Miller, Webb, and Gray General handbook of grammar and writing. 2004
Harper’s English Grammar Opdycke, G=Jog=hn B., Ph.D. Be a winner in the laguage game when you know the rules. 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. 1987
How to Blog a Book Amir, Nina Write, publish, and promote your work one post at a time. 2012
How to Prepare Your Manuscript for a Publisher Carroll, David L. Everything you need to know to prepare your manuscript for a publisher. 1995
How to Write Killer Fiction Wheat, Carolyn How to achieve your writing and publishing goals 2003
How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy Card, Orson Scott Science fiction great Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game) shares his expertise. 1990
Ideas and Patterns for Writing Spotts, Carle B. Collection of readings designed to stimulate ideas to bring freshness to writing. 1967
Legends of Literature Sexton, Phillip [ed.] The best articles, interviews, and essays from the archives of Writer’s Digest magazine. 2007
LERA Writer’s Guide, The various The ultimate guide to writing and your career as a writer 1994
Little Red Writing Book, The Royal, Brandon A concise guide to penning strong and effective work for all occasions. 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. 2000
Marshall Plan for Getting Your Novel Published, The Marshall, Evan 90 strategies and techniques for selling your fiction. 2003
Marshall Plan for Novel Writing, The Marshall, Evan A 16-step program quaranteed to take you from idea to completed manuscript. 1998
Marshall Plan Workbook, The – Writing Your Novel From Start to Finish Marshall, Evan Companion to The Marshal Plan for Novel Writing 2001
Mastering Suspense Structure & Plot Cleland, Jane K. How to write gripping stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats 0
Murder One – A Writer’s Guide to Homicide Corvasce and Paglino The nuts and bolts necessary to build your fictional murder scenario. 1997
Narrative Technique Uzzell, Thomas H. A practical course in literary psychology. 1935
On Editing Corner-Bryant and Price How to edit your novel the professional way 2018
On Writing Well Zinsser, William An informal guide to writing nonfiction. 1990
Penguin Handbook, The Faigley, Lester Improve writing, solve grammar problems, and successfully complete research projects 2006
Pep Talks for Writers Faulkner, Grant Kick start your creativity, tap into your mojo, and help take that next step with your writing. 2017
Perfecting Plot – Charting the Hero’s Journey Bernhardt, William Reveals the secrets that will keep readers riveted to your story. 2013
Practical Stylist, The Baker, Sheridan A text for writing essays stressing style and persuasive writing. 1990
Prose Style – A Contempory Guide Miles, Bertonasco, and Karns Basic principles of expository and argumentative style. 1977
Reading Like a Writer Prose, Francine A guide for people who love books and for those who want to write them. 2006
Romance Writers of America Workshop Handouts various Handout materials from writing conference 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 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 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 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 0
Story Trumps Structure James, Steven How to write unforgettable fiction by breaking the rules. 2014
Structuring your Novel Weiland, K. M. Essential keys for writing an outstanding story 0
Style Williams, Joseph M, Ten lessons in clarity and grace. 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. 2009
Successful Script Writing Wolff, Jurgen and Cox, Kerry How to write and pitch winning scripts for movies, sitcoms, soaps, serials, and variety shows. 1988
Successful Synopsis, The various A collection of real synopses that sold, turned in by authors from the Central Florida Romance Writers 2005
Technique of the Novel, The Uzzell, Thomas H. An analysis of one hundred important novels. 1959
TV Scriptwriter’s Handbook, The Brenner, Alfred Everything you want and need to know about writing for television. 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. 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. 2002
Ways of Reading – An Anthology for Writers Bartholomae, David & Petrosky, Anthony expects students to use their minds, challenging, provoking, and stimulating critical inquiry. 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. 2006
Well-Tempered Sentence, The Gordon, Karen Elizabeth Handbook on punctuation 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. 2004
World-building Gillett, Stephen L. A writers guide to constructing star systems and life-supporting planets. 1996
Write Your Novel From the Middle Bell, James Scott A new approach for plotters, pantsers, and everyone in between 0
Writers Inc Sabranek, Mwyer, and Kemper A guide to writing, thinking, and learning. 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. 2003
Writer’s Reference, A Hacker, Diana An easy to use grammar reference handbook. 1999
Writing Fantasy Heroes Waltx, Jason M. [ed.] Powerful advice from professionals. 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 2000
Writing Great Fiction: Storytelling Tips and Techniques Hynes, James The course book for the same-named Great Courses lecture series 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. 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. 1982
Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook Maass, Donald Hands-on help for making your novel stand out and succeed 2004
Writing the Fiction Synopsis – A Step by Step Approach McCutcheon, Pam A workshop in book form on writing a synopsis of your book. 1998