"The Mind of Your Story" by Lisa Lenard-Cook details the creation of a work of fiction: from an idea pinging around a writer's right brain, to a polished piece of work.

any writer -beginners and more seasoned professionals may all benefit by gaining new insights into the creative process and by implementing down-to-earth practical advice on how to produce stories and books that engage and entertain.

Lenard-Cook's explanation of the right brain--left brain partnership, her section on the most important thing a plot should do, and her unique take on pacing, timing, and time shifts. I've read shelves of writing books and have never seen these subjects presented, let alone clarified, and in such an illuminating fashion.

I also liked the small, compact size of "The Mind of Your Story" plus the colorful illustrations. While others may argue illustrations merely take up space better used for instruction, I find my own creativity enhanced by visual art.

pull every dusty manuscript out of my desk drawer and get to work.

that I, too, have the ability to capture readers from the first paragraph and hold them spellbound to "The End."

is a successful novelist ("Dissonance" and "Coyote Morning") and also pens the fiction column for the Web site Authorlink.com. She knows her stuff and how to present it in an engaging fashion.

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Created Mar 19, 2011 at 10:47am • Submit your own review...