5 comments about Elements of Writing Fiction - Beginnings, Middles & Ends (Elements of Fiction Writing).

1. I have always been told I'm a "good writer" and I have always wanted to "write" (specifically, make up stories and put them on paper. And despite starting with Aristotle's Poetics in high school, I guess I just didn't get it. Even so, I have spent most of my adult life in jobs that were dependent on writing and reasoning skills but, despite the number of stories in my head, never knew what to do with them.
   
   So thank you, Nancy Kress for telling me how to go about writing a story. It could be that I'm just dense, but the reading I've been doing lately (like Noah Lukeman's "The First Five Pages: A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile" and "Thinking Like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction--and Get It Published" by by Susan Rabiner and Alfred Fortunato, both excellent, five-stars from me, at least) has been positively enlightening. And "Beginnings, Middles, and Endings" is one of the best. Frankly, it's hard to rave too much about this book, because there's no much to rave about. It's clear, crisp, orderly, incredibly organized (especially when you consider that she's dealing with what is essentially how to tell a story, no small task in itself). But even more, is enormous fun to read and leads inevitably to that great AH-HA! moment, somewhere in pages 84 - 87.
   
   In general, the two series "Elements of Fiction Writing" and the Writer's Digest books on writing fiction are excellent and, in addition to being downright enlightening, are just pure, huge fun. For the first time in my life, I feel as if I know what I'm doing. Too bad it took so long, but there I was one morning, standing in front of the mirror lost in the thousand yard stare when all of a sudden my writing focus burst out at me like a super-nova. And ever since then, my life has simply made sense. Now THAT'S a mid-life crisis.



2. This book I read in christmas and it has been a very good help for me to write the end of a book I am working with. In fact if you write a beginning you have the end. That's what the books says. Now I have given the book to two in my writing group and they also think it is excellent. I never saw any other book on this subject.



3. This book is terrific for people who are just starting to try to write. It breaks down every initial stumbling block of the craft into small pieces in ways that are easy for inexperienced writers to understand and model. For more experienced writers, it might be useful to see the mechanical process for things one already understands (even innately). However, this is not a stunningly useful book for writers with more than a little experience.



4. I read "Beginnings, Middles, and Ends" right after reading the (in my opinion) horrid "How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy" by Orson Scott Card, which seemed to me to be puffed up drivel. Ms. Kress's book was like a breath of fresh air. Her suggestions are helpful, her examples are wonderful without being self-promoting. She has a number of self-guided exercises that were basic and also, as a plus for beginners, build up writing confidence. If you are a beginner, or even intermediate writer, I would suggest not bothering with most of the books on the market on writing and read Ms. Kress's book first. I am a published writer of dark fantasy writing my first novel and found it extremely helpful. Highly recommended.



5. John Irving once commented that his experience at writing workshops & conferences taught him things about writing (e.g., voicing) that he would eventually have picked up anyway, but that he saved a lot of time by not having to learn it the hard way. That's the way I feel about Nancy Kress's wonderful Beginnings, Middles and Ends.
   
   First of all -- and this matters -- Kress is a world-class writer of fiction herself. She's famous in the science fiction community, and she deserves to be. So when she, of all people, gives clues about creating good plots, one should listen. She's that marvelous (and rare) combination, a stunning writer who can also teach.
   
   This book uses a very methodical approach, speaking of the different parts of a piece of fiction separately and specifically addressing how they interact. Each chapter really deserves to be read several times, as the attitudes she recommends for writers can solve problems all by themselves. At the end of each chapter is a set of exercises that significantly improve one's ability to interpolate the lessons.
   
   Much of what she says in her book I was beginning to discover on my own, but to see it put into print solidifies and sharpens my view. Personally I was writing several different stories over the time during which I read the book, and I found that it helped instantly. I'm actually stuck on one or two stories right now, and I'm going to dive back into the Kress book to see how she can help me; I know she can.

5 comments about The Oil Painting Course You've Always Wanted: Guided Lessons for Beginners and Experienced Artists.

1. I got this book from the library. I always knew I could draw, and I always wanted to oil paint. I have a lot of books on oil painting, but I still struggle. Oil paints are tricky, sort of like playing the violin: you have to learn to control them before you start creating with them.
   
   Now, it IS for beginners, but it also says for "experienced" because she shows you tricks that maybe you didn't cover in other classes.
   
   She incorporates drawing lessons with the painting lessons. If you can't draw and shade a sphere, how are you going to understand a bush? She doesn't just have list of brushes, but she has exercises on how to blend paint with them. Each exercise in the book builds on the next.
   
   It is true that you are not going to paint a masterpiece with this book, but I do think you will say, "Oh, that's the problem", and then you can move forward with your own talent.
   
   She has one whole page on Taming Thalo Green, which no one else has in their books. She has a shading lesson in primary colors, and in secondary colors. She tells you how to dull a color without changing the value (mix it's exact complimentary in the same value, then add it). She explains glazing and scumbling. All the exercises are simple, so that if you are talented or not, you can do them. For example, she doesn't have you glaze a portrait like Rembrandt, but an apple.
   
   As she gets to harder things, she introduces more drawing. For example, when she gets to landscape, she talks about drawing perspective, as well as atmospheric perspective. In landscapes, she explains the tricks for trees and rocks (do the darks first). When she gets to portraits, then she talks about drawing the face. I don't think her portraits are all that hot, but she shows the steps then you can do them too, and infuse your talent.
   
   You will not create a masterpiece with this book, but you will have tools to create your own masterpiece because you won't be stumped with atmospheric perspective, how to do trees, how to make a shadow, etc. Just like you can't play the violin if you don't know where the notes are and how to get a good sound out of the bow, you can't oil paint if you don't know things like how Alizarin Crimson is going to behave differently from Cadmium Red Light. She will help you with this.
   
   She has taught beginning oil painting for 30 years, so she anticipates your problems and questions. Oil will not longer be something to fight with, but something that will do your bidding.



2. Not only was l able to correct old bad old habits, l have learnt an incredible amount from this art instruction book. Highly recommended to both beginners and accomplished artists.



3. I'm an artist (or, rather, used to be). I consider myself an illustrator, but haven't painted in a long time. This book is great, as she discusses mixing colors, selecting brushes, using the medium and so on. This is a fine book!!!



4. This book IS the oil painting course I've always wanted. I've taken a oil painting course at my local community college, but did not recieve the detailed instruction this book offers. I highly recommend it for the beginner painter. I also recommend Color Mixing Recipes by Walter Foster. It really helps you to get the color just right. It has an index on everything from apples to wet sand.Color Mixing Recipes



5. This book was a great starter book and was exceptionally helpful in learning where to start and how to mix colors. It also provides a few step by step classes to get you started. It is a true beginners book, but you'll be looking for new inspiration after you've spent some time with it.

No comments about Let's See: Writings on Art from The New Yorker.

5 comments about Bushido: The Way of the Samurai (Square One Classics).

1. Maybe you've seen the movie 'The Last Samurai' starring Tom Cruise. I think this movie is a very good resemblance of samurai culture and beliefs, even though it's in a Hollywood production.
   
   So what can I do with sword-knowledge on my laptop? Wait, I'm not even going to try think this way.
   
   Being samurai is much more about living a certain way than it is about fighting. Even nowadays we cannot think the earth is without war but even a hundred years back it was part of live. When you had to choose in that age, I'd prefer taking up the sword instead of making money as well.
   
   Bushido's writings are fascinating to read. You have to do the translation of converting the knowledge to this age yourself, but if this is not the first book you read about Japanese culture it shouldn't be too hard.
   
   With only 96 pages of real text anyone can at least read it and form his own judgement. If you find it is not for you, then at least you didn't had to read long before you figured that out!



2. It's a good read, plus the way fo the samurai can be applied to your personal life.



3. Hagakure: The Way of the SamuraiBushido: The Soul of Japan (Dodo Press)
   
   This book (Bushido: The Way of the Samurai) really needs to have a different title. At first glance I thought it was the classic Bushido, especially as it is the first book to pop up when one searches Bushido on Amazon. This book is NOT the classic Bushido; it is a translation of the Hagakure.
   
   The Japanese martial philosophy book, Hagakure: The Way of the Samurai, by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, is NOT the same book as the equally classic Japanese martial philosophy book, Bushido: The Soul of Japan, by Inazo Nitobé. Indeed, Bushido was written nearly 200 years after Hagakure.
   
   Just a heads up for anyone that is looking for the real Bushido.



4. Bushido: The Way of the Samurai (Square One Classics)
   Nothing to stir the soul here.



5. I can't better the other review below except to say that this translation of the Bushido is far easier to read, understand, digest and put into daily practice than the hoards of other versions of "Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai by Tsunetomo Yamamoto" which this book is based upon.
   
   Despite a totally different translation, nothing is lost when you put the two books side by side and compare them to each other.
   
   By the way, the title "Bushi-do" does not mean "Hidden behind the Leaves", that is the translation of the "Hagakure". Any martial artist worth his salt will easily recognise the two parts of the word: Bushi (Warrior) & do (the way) - The Way of the Warrior (or Samurai).

5 comments about The Watercolorists Essential Notebook.

1. -I last painted with watercolors when they were in paintbox form -40 years ago in high school art.This book has been a valuable tool in getting me up to speed on present day brushes,paints and techniques.I
   am very pleased with the results I have been able to achieve in
   just a few months time.This book is a definite buy for newbies or as a
   refresher.



2. Let's just say calling me an amateur would be an understatement. I bought this book in high hopes of entering the world of watercolor. It hit the nail right on the head.
   
   The text is informative and precise without being overwhelming. Enough different information and very comprehensive. Although perhaps lacking in the texture/details department. Overall the best of the 3 other books I bought. This one may be the best beginner to intermediate book out there!
   
   The only drawback was the fact it doesn't say in the description that it is for tube watercolors, as I want to use pans...but still I think most techniques will work either way.



3. As a fairly new watercolorist, I have purchased many, many books on the subject in an attempt to gain skills, learn techniques, expand my thinking, etc., etc. Some of those books have been helpful, but usually only a page or two of a 60-page book was exactly what I was looking for. In other words, I was disappointed! Long introduction to say that THIS watercolor book exceeded all my expectations! I am oh so happy with it; I will probably use information on every page of this one. The techniques and skills introduced are interesting and fairly easy to execute; the author provides abundant details all along the way. The book has answered so many of my questions about producing sparkling water, distant trees, various types of skies, clouds, fog, using color schemes effectively, and the technique of "fading out" (which I love). And much, much, much more. It is well worth every penny and then some.



4. I like this book because it not only provides you with lots of knowledge but also encourages you to go away from conventional suggestions and create your own style. Its flow is very nice. Its material has been organized properly and I not only gained knowledge but also enjoyed reading it.



5. This is THE book that every beginning to intermediate watercolorist must have. I have been studying watercolor for several months, and I learned more from this book than I did in all of my classes combined. The author has a lovely sense of humor, making for a fun read while sharing so many of the tips and tricks he learned from decades of painting and teaching. There are detailed pictures demonstrating his techniques, as well as tips on how to choose paints, paper, and brushes. If you can only afford one book this month, it should be this one! And after you have read this one, check out his other book: "The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook: Landscapes". Yet another fantastic book by this gifted artist and instructor!

1 comments about Participation (Documents of Contemporary Art).

1. Until I read this book I could not give myself permission to have my own ideas about some of the world's greatest art pieces and give my educated opinion about them. Umberto Eco's 1st essay is a wonder!

5 comments about Graphics Alive.

1. content and images - fantastic! LOVE IT! love it! everything i expected and MORE!
   
   book condition - 7/10 probably damaged abit from postage and handling. but its whats inside that counts =)



2. The book was far from what I was expecting, I felt a little bit mislead in the description...that being said, it was a wonderful book!



3. Really cool and well printed piece. Amazing content, will be very helpful to inspire my work.



4. I bought this for my husband and he loves it. It cost $40 at another store we saw it in and this is by far the best price.



5. I wish I had bought this at amazon. It caught my eye at Urban Outfitters and I ended up paying $40+. The book delves into design outside of the usual formalities of print. Instead what you get to see is top designers making use of their techniques in other ways such as ipod skin designs to completely remodeling hotel rooms. I like this book because it stirs up inspiration for ideas completely outside the box.

5 comments about Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things.

1. I really enjoyed the first part of the book. It is a good read as the Design of everyday things was (which is a must), with great examples and stories.
   
   The concepts in this book are quite simple and the book becomes a bit repetitive after a while. Having said that, I would recommend the book if you are a designer or if you closely work with designers.
   
   (The last quarter of the book is about emotional machines and robots and less about design. These I simply skipped.)



2. What can I say... It's a superbly written book. Complete. I couldnt stop reading it once I began. Helped me out a lot in my work. (interaction design)



3. In "Emotional Design" cognitive psychologist Donald Norman provides an answer to his earlier 1980s book "The Design of Everyday Things," in which he focused exclusively on the primacy of functionalism and usability in product design. Here Norman updates his argument, addressing emotion as an equally important quality of meaningful and effective design. In fact, Norman now argues that the emotional side of design may be more critical to a product's success than its practical (or cognitive) elements. He outlines three different elements that come to play in all design (with emotion and cognition interacting at each level): visceral (an immediate reaction based on appearance), behavioral (a relationship based on pleasure/effectiveness with repeated interaction), and reflective (the contemplative side based on interpretation/intellectualization). By analyzing such topics as souvenir significance, emotional branding, iterative product testing, customer service, anthropomorphism, and even robot ethics, Norman establishes that fun, seduction, and fulfillment should be seriously considered in user-oriented design to produce objects that are more than just possessions. The book is extremely accessible and would be useful to anyone interested in human-object interaction, design thinking, product marketing, and even design ethics.



4. Don Norman with this books exposes a review based on how products can make us feel better, and how they can influence our daily life in different contexts of use. If you're lookin' for a tutorial about "how make an emotional product", this is not the choice. Nevertheless, you'll never find it eather. Norman only puts a name to a phenomenon that already exists, but in a entertaining way that offer to the reader a new form to understand the design of products. It is worth it to read this, absolutely recommended.



5. This book breaks down 3 categories of things we look at when we're deciding whether or not we like things, and then proceeds to show how one can analyze everyday things in those terms. I wouldn't say it's enlightening, but it does give you categories and terms for expressing things you already knew on some level. Don Norman's writing style is warm, and personal, and the book is easy to read. I've seen his name next to Jakob Nielsen's plenty of times but had no idea who he was or what he was about, so it gives a little insight into who Don Norman is as well, and why he and Jakob make good partners.

3 comments about Learning to Love You More.

1. I bought this book because I am a fan of Miranda July's. I loved her movie and her book of short stories, No One Belongs Here More Than You: Stories. This book has none of July's original artwork. It is a collection of work done by other people based on a list of assignments she wrote. The assignments range from the quirky (create an object from your youth using only construction paper and tape) to the profound (spend time with someone who is dying and then write about it). July's brilliance lies in her ability to bring out creativity using specific assignments and rules. As a teacher, I can really appreciate the value of a good assignment. I also love her on-going theme of "it's not about you". Her assignments often remind artists to stick to the rules instead of being creative. Still, this book is an inspiration to be more creative: to create more.



2. Miranda July is great! This book invites us to create more art, in ways that connect us more to each other. Her movie and short story collections are also really beatiful.



3. this book made an awesome valentines present ((compared to the typical cards and flower alternative!))....it's a very fun, sentimental and thought-provoking book that makes you wanna slow down and take notice of all the small beautiful and day-to-day thinks in life!

5 comments about 20 Master Plots: And How to Build Them.

1. I was very pleased to find that this "how-to" guide is actually a very well written introduction to and analysis of the major plots found in all storytelling media in our culture.
   The writing is crisp, enjoyable, accessible, yet also deep with critical insights valuable to any writer or wannabe.
   I've already recommended it to several friends without hesitation! Read, learn, apply, enjoy!



2. There is a theory that states that every story ever told fits into one (or more) of a small number of plot structures. These "master plots" are usually something like the quest, love, rivalry, etc. I'm still not entirely convinced that this theory is true. However, looking through the 20 master plots listed in this book, I will admit that I find it difficult to think of a story that doesn't fit into one or more of these categories.
   
   "20 Master Plots" is not so much a writing manual, as the sort of book you would expect to be set if you were taking a university level writing or literature course. Although it does provide advice on how to write a novel which fits into one of these plot structures, most of the book is made up of analyses of existing books and movies that fit into one of these categories. Nevertheless, as an aspiring novelist, I have found this book to be of far more use to me than any of the writing manuals which I own. I find this book to be incredibly useful when I am starting a novel and trying to develop the plot. Although, I don't follow the prescribed plot structures religiously, I find that the plot structures provide me with useful suggestions as to elements that I might like to include in my story. If this book is even only half as useful to you as it is to me, it will be well worth your money.



3. I must thank the universe and Tobias for this incredibly clear and helpful book. I am a published novelist, and have turned to this book many times in order to improve and better organize my stories. Tobias is so right when he speaks of the importance in connecting events, the cause and effect spark that happens from scene to scene in a tight plot, and many helful reminders on how to ignite the fire that brings a good story its drama. People who believe that plots naturally write themselves may have their points, but its important not to misinterpret Tobias's approach to what it means to have structure. He teaches that PLOT is not a skeleton which you hang your story over, artificially and easily, but an organic FORCE that you must find within your protagonists---having to do with his path---that propells your story along in the most dynamic way possible. This book has been the most essential gift to my career so far and I pass it on to all aspiring writers as well as experienced writers who are still in the process of serious edits. I recently began reading it from cover to cover and wish this would have been required reading when I was in writing school. I attended a master's program at USC, and after all the how-to books I've read, this remains my bible.



4. This is a helpful book for the writer to own. However, imagination and courage is something that can not be learnt. But if you already have these attributes than this is a book is one you that you should read.



5. This book intrigued me when I saw it on the shelf at Barnes and Noble. I picked it up and have just recently started reading through it.
   
   At first it looks like a book that will give a solid basis for building a plot by finding the patterns each plot has. The reality is that this book shows how to give SOME basis to building your plot. Where the author isn't taking up paragraphs to say what could be said in a sentence (and usually what he is saying is painfully obvious) he has a clear bias against certain genres. He doesn't come out and say "commercial fiction is contrived, formulaic garbage and you're an idiot if you buy it - just read literally fiction instead, it's so much more refreshing!" but if you read the other reviews for this book you'll see that I'm not the only one who feels that he was trying to convey that message.
   
   Is it worth the money? That depends. Spending $10, $20, even $40 on a book that only has one concept that makes you think, puts what you know in a different perspective, or in any other way changes how you look at what you write is more than worth the money. Whether or not this book has that concept is up to the individual to decide.
   
   You could do a lot worse than "20 Master Plots And How to Build Them" but there are many better books too. And most of those don't talk down to you for enjoying a piece of fiction that's backed by a large label or producing studio.