Book Review: It Writes Itself, a Travel Guide to Writing Fiction by Susannah Raulino

As you all know, we're anti-resolutions on this blog, and rather make small changes so this week I'm showcasing some books and products that can help you make the small changes in your life, that may lead to larger ones! ENJOY!

I am including this review today, as I think alot of you have hidden writers within you just BEGGING to be released! This is an excellent little book that will help you unleash your creativity in writing this year!

Synopsis: It Writes Itself: A Travel Guide to Writing Fiction is an innovative how-to book on creative writing that helps writers enter into their fictional worlds so vividly, that writing becomes the act of listening, watching and writing down what happens.

With easy to follow exercises which combine improv techniques and creative visualization, Raulino takes you on a creativity freeing trip that serves as the anchor to the very best writing you can produce. "I wrote this book to share a process I created that has turned writing from a chore to a joy for me, and I have watched it work for my students. ... If you write, you are a writer, if you enjoy writing, you are a good writer! says Raulino.

Taking materials from writing workshops she teaches, Raulino combined the very best exercises to give readers a true path to creating powerful, funny and moving works of be novels, short stories, screenplays or poetry. Raulino shares twenty-one exercises designed to bolster your confidence and free your writing muse. The book is ideal for both inexperienced and seasoned writers. If you're hung up on writers' block, you'll find new ideas and solutions in this book.

About the author: Susannah Raulino has written for over 20 years and her portfolio includes 17 screenplays and plays. She now lives in Texas, and is an active participant in the improv scene in Austin, TX.

Review: This is a great little book and well worth the money if you want to hone your craft, so start writing! I have taken writing classes before and Raulino's exercises are among the best I've seen at getting you to be creative and expressive, while finding your true writing style.

The book has many key points for bloggers, among them "Know Your Audience"- when you read a blog you may sense a formal style, a loose style, or a oh gee style. Sometimes you find all of the above in one post! Raulino explains how you need to figure out WHO your audience IS, then write for them and not loose that concentration, or the post will be disjunctive, with many voices. I found this to be true, especially if you get interrupted while making a post, or if someone reads if while you are working on it. Her points are very true about staying with the writing and taking breaks when you have finished the post. If you do, then the odds are you will have a much better sounding post! Also WHERE you write can influence the style directed at your audience. If you are rushed, so will be your writing. If you are in a tranquil area, your post will be the better for it!

I highly recommend this book to all writers, may you be bloggers, students or ready to write that first novel! You will ALL find some great tips and helps to make your writing come alive and win over your readers!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this book from Bostick Communications, for review purposes. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post