As a lifelong reader and half a decade professional reviewer, I have been interested more and more about writing my own book. However, I had no idea how, when or where to begin. I jumped on the opportunity when I had the chance to read Creating Stories. The author, Hank Quense, did a great job in answering some questions I have had on how to get started. He explains the ideas and design that is important for story telling. As well as, the importance of character development and the depth of the main and sub plots. He includes illustrations, graphs, charts, and diagrams to back up his explanations, tips, and advice. They were quite useful for me to understand in depth in what he was explaining to his readers. I found the book made me feel more inspired and confident on jotting down my ideas on creating my own story. I will be holding on to my copy to keep it handy as I navigate into this new journey for me.

I am giving Creating Stories five stars. I highly recommend it for readers who are aspiring authors to help them begin their new venture. I would be interested in reading other book writing advice books from Hank Quense in the future to see what other inspiration he offers for his fellow authors.

I received a digital copy of Hank Quense’s Creating Stories from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. ( )

Creating Stories by Hank Quense caught my eye because I have been writing for a long time. Not a novel, or anything like that, but journals. My mind pens a story and I jot down ideas. Isn’t it the follow through that is the difficult part? Where do I even begin?

Creating Stories by Hank Qunense is chock full of everything I need to know to write that novel I feel is buried deep, deep, deep inside. LOL The biggest problem was the amount of information.

That means, taking a step by step process. Beginning at the beginning. Hank Quense gives references, graphs, maps, and his process for writing in a 150 page book. It was not a quick read, because I find myself pausing, thinking. He gave examples of his work to clarify. A bit self serving, using his books for examples, but that’s okay. I would do it too.

I read an ebook, but if I ever do decide to write that novel that is buried deep, deep, deep inside me, I will be purchasing a physical copy. I love having things at my fingertips, laid out before me so I can easily move from one thing to another, whether it’s a book, a graph, or a Castlesque workboard. I can see myself laying things out like a murder board in a crime movie or TV show. I can see myself with a swivel chair, numerous boards surrounding me, and my computer at the forefront.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of Creating Stories by Hank Quense if you are writing. A book like Hank’s is hard for me to rate, as a novice. I didn’t understand some of it. I think it was a bit over my head. So, rating this for an author that is experienced and needs to refine their craft, I think this would be a 5 Star read. For someone like me, I would rate it a 4 Star read. I would think I would grow into it if I wanted to become a full time author.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Creating Stories by Hank Quense.

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I read this writing manual with a lot of enthousiasm. First of all because it was really practical, and not too complicated as to the language. Secondly, and what I don't find in a lot of other books on writing, the author really defines what he means. I've read quite a few books about writing - in lots of different languages - but the author of this books really speaks to me. He gives me the idea he really knows what he's talking about, and that is making a story that others will want to read (and keep reading). Each section of the book deals with one or more of the challenges that writers - especially those who are not so experienced such as I - face during the writing process. The book is dived into four parts: Setting and Characters, Plotting, Story-telling and More Stuff. Each part presents the matter in easily consumed bites.
The part that I liked most was the final section that deals with the subject of humour in stories and how to create it, and also the part where all kinds of practical issues are dealt with.
So, I would really recommend this book. It's complete, I like the friendly style and ease of delivery, and there is also a list of books that a beginning (of more experienced) writer could read. Because writing, after, all, start with reading (books as well as what happens in the world and in our mind).

I received this book through Librarything-giveaway from the author. I did my best to write this review as honest as possible. ( )

This was a relief to read. I'm a planner and worried that over-planning would stifle creativity but this book debunks that notion. The book provides, in perfect level of detail, a guide to planning and writing fiction. The elements were a revelation to me as a reader - I have read novels with the right and wrong amounts of motivation, foreshadowing, tell vs show, emotional arc, events, etc. without knowing these terms but knowing the novels worked or not for me, for these very reasons.
This is really a 5 stars book but there were some typos to drop the rating slightly. I received this as a LibraryThing Member GiveAway. Thank you. ( )