Creative Writing Resources
The following resources are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to useful reference resources for creative writers. I suggest browsing the reference collection (housed on the 4th and 6th floors) for additional titles. All of the resources below are available ONLINE from this guide.
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A Dictionary of Literary Symbols
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Call Number: Available OnlineISBN: 110717211XPublication Date: 2017-06-06This is an expansion of the first dictionary of symbols to be based on literature, rather than on 'universal' psychological archetypes or myths. It explains and illustrates the literary symbols that we frequently encounter (such as swan, rose, moon, gold) and gives thousands of cross-references and quotations. The dictionary concentrates on English literature, but its entries range widely from the Bible and classical authors to the twentieth century, taking in American and European literatures. For this third edition, Michael Ferber has included some twenty completely new entries (such as birch, childbirth, grove, mill and railroad) and has added to many of the existing entries. Its rich references make this book an essential tool not only for literary and classical scholars but also for all students of literature. -
New Dictionary of the History of Ideas
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Call Number: Available OnlineISBN: 0684313774Publication Date: 2004-12-03Experts examine major developments in intellectual history during the past 30 years. A board of specialists from various disciplines was assembled to reflect all aspects of knowledge from a global and gender-inclusive perspective, which allows readers to trace ideas and concepts across culture and time periods. -
Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
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Call Number: Available OnlineISBN: 0198609817Publication Date: 2005-11-17What is a ham-and-egger?What are Anglo-Saxon attitudes?Who first tried to nail jelly to the wall?The answers to these and many more questions are in this fascinating book. Here in one volume you can track down the stories behind the names and sayings you meet, whether in classic literature or today's news. This authoritative dictionary draws on Oxford's unrivalled bank of reference and languageonline resources to cover classical and other mythologies, history, religion, folk customs, superstitions, science and technology, philosophy, and popular culture. Extensive cross referencing makes it easy to trace specific information, while every page points to further paths to explore.What is the fog of war?Who first wanted to spend more time with one's family?When was the Dreamtime?How long since the first cry of Women and children first?Where might you find dark matter?Would you want the Midas touch?Should you worry about grey goo? -
American Decades 1900-2000
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Call Number: Central Library: Stacks E169.12 .A419 1994ISBN: 0810357267Publication Date: 1995-06-01American Decades documents and analyzes periods of contemporary American social history. Each volume begins with an overview and chronology covering the entire decade. Subject chapters follow, each including an explanatory background overview; subject-specific timeline; and alphabetically arranged entries discussing the people, events and ideas important to that subject during the period. Included are biographies; explanations of concepts; terms and events; quotations; charts; sidebars covering high-interest topics; and much more.
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Descriptionary
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This is the book to use when looking for a descriptive or technical term or when you know the subject or meaning but not the specific word. Descriptionary, Fourth Edition is a clever combination of a reverse dictionary and a thesaurus, with thousands of descriptions of terms organized into subject categories and sub-categories.
Call Number: Available OnlineISBN: 9780816079469Publication Date: 2010-05-01 -
The Language of Fiction
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Call Number: Available OnlineISBN: 1611683319Publication Date: 2012-12-08 -
Write Great Fiction - Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint
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Call Number: Central Library: Stacks PN3383 .C4 K76 2005ISBN: 1582973164Publication Date: 2005-03-15Create Complex Characters How do you create a main character readers won't forget? How do you write a book in multiple-third-person point of view without confusing your readers (or yourself)? How do you plant essential information about a character's past into a story? Write Great Fiction: Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint by award-winning author Nancy Kress answers all of these questions and more! This accessible book is filled with interactive exercises and valuable advice that teaches you how to: * Choose and execute the best point of view for your story * Create three-dimensional and believable characters * Develop your characters' emotions * Create realistic love, fight, and death scenes * Use frustration to motivate your characters and drive your story With dozens of excerpts from some of today's most popular writers, Write Great Fiction: Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint provides you with the techniques you need to create characters and stories sure to linger in the hearts and minds of agents, editors, and readers long after they've finished your book. -
Writing Fiction
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Call Number: Central Library: Stacks PN3355 .B79 2011ISBN: 9780205750344Publication Date: 2010-01-03The most widely used and respected text in its field, Writing Fiction, 7e by novelists Janet Burroway and Elizabeth Stuckey-French guides the novice story writer from first inspiration to final revision by providing practical writing techniques and concrete examples. Written in a tone that is personal and non-prescriptive, the text encourages students to develop proficiency through each step of the writing process, offering an abundance of exercises designed to spur writing and creativity. The text also integrates diverse contemporary short stories in every chapter in the belief that the reading of inspiring fiction goes hand-in-hand with the writing of fresh and exciting stories.
