The Writing category has 232 audiobooks on Listento.it, with an average listener rating of 4.6★ across 523 ratings. The most-rated is Bird by Bird.
2K to 10K
Summary
"Have you ever wanted to double your daily word counts? Do you feel like you're crawling through your story, struggling for each paragraph? Would you like to get more words every day without increasing the time you spend writing or sacrificing quality? It's not impossible; it's not even that hard. This is the story of how, with a few simple changes, I boosted my daily writing from 2,000 words to over 10k a day and how you can, too." Expanding on the author's highly successful process for doubling daily word counts, this audiobook - a combination of reworked blog posts and new material - offers practical writing advice for anyone who's ever longed to increase their daily writing output. In addition to updated information for Rachel's popular 2k to 10k writing efficiency process, five-step plotting method, and easy editing tips, this new book includes chapters on creating characters that write their own stories, story structure, and learning to love your daily writing. Full of easy-to-follow, practical advice from a commercial author who doesn't eat if she doesn't produce good books on a regular basis, 2K to 10K focuses on not just writing faster but writing better and having more fun while you do it. This revised edition includes updates and corrections for all chapters!
©2012 Rachel Aaron (P)2015 Rachel Aaron
The Successful Author Mindset
Summary
Being a writer is not just about typing. It's also about surviving the rollercoaster of the creative journey. Self-doubt, fear of failure, the need for validation, perfectionism, writer's block, comparisonitis, overwhelm, and much more. When you're going through these things, it can feel like you're alone. But actually, they are part of the creative process, and every author goes through them too. This book collects the mindset issues that writers experience, that I have been through myself over the last nine years, and that perhaps you will experience at different times on the creative journey. Each small chapter tackles a possible issue and then offers an antidote, so that you can dip in and out over time. It includes excerpts from my own personal journals as well as quotes from well-known writers. I hope it helps you on the road to becoming a successful author.
©2016 Joanna Penn (P)2016 Joanna Penn
Ernest Hemingway on Writing
Summary
An assemblage of reflections on the nature of writing and the writer from one the greatest American writers of the 20th century.
Throughout Hemingway’s career as a writer, he maintained that it was bad luck to talk about writing - that it takes off “whatever butterflies have on their wings and the arrangement of hawk’s feathers if you show it or talk about it”.
Despite this belief, by the end of his life he had done just what he intended not to do. In his novels and stories, in letters to editors, friends, fellow artists, and critics, in interviews and in commissioned articles on the subject, Hemingway wrote often about writing. And he wrote as well and as incisively about the subject as any writer who ever lived....
This book contains Hemingway’s reflections on the nature of the writer and on elements of the writer’s life, including specific and helpful advice to writers on the craft of writing, work habits, and discipline. The Hemingway personality comes through in general wisdom, wit, humor, and insight, and in his insistence on the integrity of the writer and of the profession itself. (From the Preface by Larry W. Phillips)
©2002 Larry W. Phillips (P)2019 Simon and Schuster
The Story Grid
Summary
What is the Story Grid? The Story Grid is a tool developed by editor Shawn Coyne to analyze stories and provide helpful editorial comments. It's like a CT Scan that takes a photo of the global story and tells the editor or writer what is working, what is not, and what must be done to make what works better and fix what's not. The Story Grid breaks down the component parts of stories to identify the problems. And finding the problems in a story is almost as difficult as the writing of the story itself (maybe even more difficult). The Story Grid is a tool with many applications: It will tell a writer if a story "works" or "doesn't work". It pinpoints story problems but does not emotionally abuse the writer, revealing exactly where a story (not the person creating the story) has failed. It will tell the writer the specific work necessary to fix that story's problems. It is a tool to re-envision and resuscitate a seemingly irredeemable pile of paper stuck in an attic drawer. It is a tool that can inspire an original creation. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2015 Black Irish Entertainment (P)2019 Black Irish Entertainment
On Writing and Worldbuilding - Volume I
Summary
Writing advice tends to be full of "rules" and "tips" which are either too broad to be helpful or outright wrong. In On Writing and Worldbuilding, we will discuss specific and applicable ideas to consider, from effective methods of delivering exposition and foreshadowing, to how communication, commerce, and control play into the fall of an empire. On Writing Part I: Prologues Part II: The First Chapter Part III: The Exposition Problem Part IV: Foreshadowing Part V: Villain Motivation Part VI: Hero-Villain Relationships Part VII: Final Battles Part VIII: The Chosen One Part IX: Hard Magic Systems Part X: Soft Magic Systems Part XI: Magic Systems and Storytelling On Worldbuilding Part XII: Polytheistic Religions Part XIII: Hidden Magical Worlds Part XIV: How Empires Rise Part XV: How Empires Work Part XVI: How Empires Fall Exclusive Content Part XVII: How I Plan a Novel Dozens of sidenotes and extra thoughts on all these wonderful stories
©2019 Timothy Hickson (P)2020 Timothy Hickson
Murder Your Darlings
Summary
From one of America's most influential teachers, a collection of the best writing advice distilled from 50 language books - from Aristotle to Strunk and White. With so many excellent writing guides lining bookstore shelves, it can be hard to know where to look for the best advice. Should you go with Natalie Goldberg or Anne Lamott? Maybe William Zinsser or Stephen King would be more appropriate. Then again, what about the classics - Strunk and White, or even Aristotle himself? Thankfully, your search is over. In Murder Your Darlings, Roy Peter Clark, who has been a beloved and revered writing teacher to children and Pulitzer Prize winners alike for more than 30 years, has compiled a remarkable collection of more than 100 of the best writing tips from 50 of the best writing books of all time. With a chapter devoted to each key strategy, Clark expands and contextualizes the original author's suggestions and offers anecdotes about how each one helped him or other writers sharpen their skills. An invaluable resource for writers of all kinds, Murder Your Darlings is an inspiring and edifying ode to the craft of writing.
©2020 Roy Peter Clark (P)2020 Little, Brown Spark
The Art of the Click
Summary
Every business making sales online is engaged in a battle to get customers to click. More clicks equals more sales equals a more successful business. How do you write copy that will encourage more people to buy from you? How do you persuade customers over the line to make that final buying decision? What is the art of the click? The answer lies in the power of direct-response copywriting. In this entertaining and highly engaging audiobook, copywriting expert Glenn Fisher boils down over a decade of experience to present a huge array of techniques, tactics, and industry secrets to improve your copywriting, get more clicks, and ultimately, get more sales. You will discover: The single thing every great writer must do if they want to improve How anyone can learn to write a headline that will stop all potential customers in their tracks Where to find inspiration and how to feed ideas How you can get a customer physically nodding along with every word you write How to avoid waffle and make your copy more succinct How you can write irresistible offers that no one can refuse And much more! Pick up The Art of the Click now to improve your copywriting. You’ll soon be wondering how you ever made a sale without it! PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2018 Harriman House (P)2019 Harriman House
"I Give You My Body..."
Summary
For writers looking to make sure their next physical interludes on the page inspire readers to share the moment rather than to laugh at it, best-selling author Diana Gabaldon divulges the writing secrets behind the sex scenes in her wildly popular Outlander novels. "Ask me to your bed," he said. "I shall come to ye." In this revealing compendium, acclaimed writer Diana Gabaldon shares her invaluable lessons for creating an immersive reading experience, from evoking a mood to using the power of emotions to communicate physical intimacy. You'll learn the difference between gratuitous sex and genuine encounters that move the story forward and how to handle less-than-savory acts that nevertheless serve a narrative purpose. Gabaldon also notes that sex can be conveyed instead of described. With such tips as The Rule of Three for involving the senses, handy lists of naughty euphemisms (with instructions for use), and Gabaldon's own examples from the Outlander novels, "I Give You My Body..." is a master class in writing to draw readers in and keep them riveted to the page.
©2016 Diana Gabaldon (P)2016 Recorded Books
How to Write Your First Novel: The Stress-Free Guide to Writing Fiction for Beginners
Summary
This is the stress-free guide to writing your first novel like a pro! Learning how to write your first novel can be overwhelming. You have to master outlining, writing, revising, and so much more...and it can be scary if you've never done it before. While it seems daunting, writing your first novel is simple when you have someone experienced to help you through it. In this writer’s guide, prolific writer M.L. Ronn shares an easy step-by-step process of writing compelling fiction that he's perfected after writing over 40 books. Write your first novel with structured advice tailored for beginners: Learn the basic building blocks of every story and how to put them together Develop an effective outline (or learn how to write without one) Discover winning formulas that mega best sellers use to write their novels Navigate your novel’s “murky middle” with seven unorthodox strategies that will get you unstuck in no time Revise your story without fear Writing your first novel is life-changing. Download this writer’s guide, follow the step-by-step instructions, and you'll wake up one morning very soon with a finished manuscript waiting for you.
©2018 M.L. Ronn (P)2018 M.L. Ronn
Write a Book in 24 Hours
Summary
Tips and tricks to write quality books...fast! Did you know that writing a book isn't that time consuming? It can be as short or long as you want. Providing readers with some quality as well as quantity is only a matter of know-how and experience. Start writing, and gain experience by practicing. In this audiobook, I'll show you how I was able to write about 100 books in a few months, some of which are longer, sell better than others, and help me generate a passive income. In this book you can learn: How to start with ideas. Pros and cons of fiction and nonfiction, including potential and market share. Tips and tricks from successful writers. Formatting and editing advice. How to use synonyms to your advantage. And much more!
©2015 Charles Jensen (P)2015 Charles Jensen
The Memoir Project
Summary
Whether or not one has lived an exceptional or dramatic life, we inherently understand that writing memoir—whether it’s a book, blog, or just a letter to a child - is the single greatest portal to self-examination. Stop treading water in writing exercises or hiding behind “writer’s block” and learn how to write with intent. Marion Roach Smith’s disarmingly frank but wildly fun tactics offer you simple and effective guidelines that work. Your legacy beings now.
©2011 Marion Roach Smith (P)2011 Gildan Media Corp
Story Genius
Summary
Following on the heels of Lisa Cron's breakout first book, Wired for Story, this writing guide reveals how to use cognitive storytelling strategies to build a scene-by-scene blueprint for a riveting story. It's every novelist's greatest fear: pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into writing hundreds of pages only to realize that their story has no sense of urgency, no internal logic, and so is a page-one rewrite. The prevailing wisdom in the writing community is that there are just two ways around this problem: pantsing (winging it) and plotting (focusing on the external plot). Story coach Lisa Cron has spent her career discovering why these methods don't work and coming up with a powerful alternative, based on the science behind what our brains are wired to crave in every story we read (and it’s not what you think). In Story Genius, Cron takes you, step by step, through the creation of a novel from the first glimmer of an idea, to a complete, multilayered blueprint - including fully realized scenes - that evolves into a first draft with the authority, richness, and command of a riveting sixth or seventh draft.
©2016 Lisa Cron (P)2020 Random House Audio
The First Five Pages
Summary
Whether you are a novice writer or a veteran who has already had your work published, rejection is often a frustrating reality. Literary agents and editors receive and reject hundreds of manuscripts each month. While it's the job of these publishing professionals to be discriminating, it's the job of the writer to produce a manuscript that immediately stands out among the vast competition. And those outstanding qualities, says New York literary agent Noah Lukeman, have to be apparent from the first five pages. The First Five Pages reveals the necessary elements of good writing, whether it be fiction, nonfiction, journalism, or poetry, and points out errors to be avoided.
©2010 Noah Lukeman (P)2017 Noah Lukeman
Art-Write: The Writing Guide for Visual Artists
Summary
Art-Write:The Writing Guide for Visual Artists has a single intention: to teach artists how to write about their own artwork. This concise and current career resource is filled with achievable advice on how to write for art promotion and sales. The audiobook offers a step-by-step approach to create a professional artist statement, with thinking and writing exercises to ease the process and develop authentic and clear content. Opportunities in the art world often begin with the artist's own writing; for exhibitions, funding, press releases, and email inquiry letters. Art-Write offers comprehensive direction to artists who want to enhance their visual work with effective language. Author Vicki Krohn Amorose combines the sensibility of an artist with the practicality of a copywriter, offering an understanding of her listeners along with generous wit and encouragement. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2013 Vicki Krohn Amorose (P)2018 Vicki Krohn Amorose
Dear Writer, You Need to Quit
Summary
The market is crowded, and it's hard to know what to do if you're a writer right now. Everyone is looking for an edge...to be better or faster.
I want to help you find a way to be both of those things.
Look inside to find out if this book is right for you. If you like what you see, then come with me and let's figure out this journey together. There's good news and bad news inside, and I want you to be as equipped as you can be.
This is a mindset shift book. If you want to succeed in this industry, there are some things you need to quit. Don't you want to know what they are?
©2019 Rebecca Syme (P)2019 Rebecca Syme
The Pursuit of Perfection
Summary
In this WMG Writer's Guide, international best-selling author Kristine Kathryn Rusch discusses the destructive ways peer workshops and the quest for perfection derail many writers' careers. Listening to critics and academics - amateur and professional - often strips out the joy of writing. And a failure to recognize writing as a business furthers the potential damage. But Rusch offers hope for writers who have suffered at the hands of critique - external and internal - and outlines a path to healing. Award-winning, best-selling writer Kristine Kathryn Rusch has published books under many names and in many genres. She has owned several businesses, and has worked for herself for more than 30 years.
©2013 Kristine Kathryn Rusch (P)2013 Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Creating Places
Summary
Creating a unique, immersive setting one place at a time. Creating Places is a detailed how-to guide on inventing the heart of every imaginary world - places. It includes chapters on inventing planets, moons, continents, mountains, forests, deserts, bodies of water, sovereign powers, settlements, and interesting locales. Extensive, culled research on each is provided to inform your world-building decisions and understand the impact on craft, story, and audience. You’ll also learn how and when to create history and maps. Experts and beginners alike will benefit from the free templates that make building worlds easier, quicker, and more fun. Learn the difference between types of monarchies, democracies, dictatorships, and more for realistic variety and believable conflict. Understand how latitude, prevailing winds, and mountains affect climate, rainfall, and what types of forests and deserts will exist in each location. Consistently calculate how long it takes to travel by horse, wagon, sailing vessels, or even dragon over different terrain types and conditions. Creating Places is the second volume in the Art of World Building, the only multi-volume series of its kind. Three times the length, depth, and breadth of other guides, the series can help fantasy and science fiction creators determine how much to build and why, how to use world building in your work, and whether the effort to create places will reap rewards for you and your audience.
©2017 Randy Ellefson (P)2017 Evermore Press, LLC
The Emotional Craft of Fiction
Summary
Engage your readers with emotion. While writers might disagree over showing versus telling or plotting versus pantsing, none would argue this: If you want to write strong fiction, you must make your readers feel. The reader's experience must be an emotional journey of its own, one as involving as your characters' struggles, discoveries, and triumphs are for you. That's where The Emotional Craft of Fiction comes in. Veteran literary agent and expert fiction instructor Donald Maass shows you how to use story to provoke a visceral and emotional experience in readers. Topics covered include: ? Emotional modes of writing ? Beyond showing versus telling ? Connecting the inner and outer journeys and much more Readers can simply read a novel...or they can experience it. The Emotional Craft of Fiction shows you how to make that happen.
©2016 Donald Maass (P)2020 Tantor
Wild Mind
Summary
Writer, poet, and teacher Natalie Goldberg shows you how to unleash your "wild mind" - the true source of your creative power. In this crisp mix of memoir, teaching guide, nonfiction and poetry, Goldberg strips creativity to the essential mind that is "raw, full of energy, alive, and hungry." Natalie is compassionate, practical, and humorous. "Even if it's just a leg hanging out the window, she says, "write it down." Highlights include: provocative "try this" exercises to compel you into action, advice on how to find time to write, how to discover your personal style, how to make sentences come alive, and how to overcome procrastination and writer's block. She'll also explore the larger vision of the writer's task: knowing when to take risks as a writer and a person, learning self-acceptance in life and art.
©1990 Natalie Goldberg (P)1994 Writer's AudioShop
Creating Life
Summary
Creating a unique, immersive setting one life form at a time. This book is a detailed how-to guide on inventing the heart of every imaginary world - life. With chapters on creating gods, species/races, plants, animals, monsters, heroes, villains, and even undead, it draws on the author's quarter century of world building experience. Pointed questions, and an examination of answers and their repercussions, will help readers decide on goals, how to reach them, and whether they are even worth pursuing. Always practical, Creating Life will quickly improve the skills of beginners and experts alike, making a time consuming project more fun, easier, faster, and skillfully done. Unlike other world building guides, the series discusses how to use your inventions in stories while balancing narrative flow with the need for explaining your world. Tailored examples illustrate this. Extensive, culled research on life forms is provided to classify and understand options without overwhelming world builders with extraneous details. Storytellers, game designers, gamers, and hobbyists will benefit from seven free templates that can be downloaded and reused.
©2017 Randy Ellefson (P)2017 Randy Ellefson