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Book
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The
Creative Writing Workbook
by John Singleton
reviewed
by Barry Tench
In his introduction
John Singleton quotes novelist Kate Braverman 'You make yourself
a writer', and certainly you get out of this book what you put in
- work. There is research to be done, lots of reading and of course
writing. On almost every page 'write' appears in bold, so sharpen
you pencil, refill your ink well, find that chewed up biro, this
definitely is a work book.
I set the book
two objectives. How long would it be before I tried one of the exercises?
Two, how long before I noted 'I can use this is one of my workshops'.
The very first exercise had me reaching for my notebook and fine
liner. An exercise that has you considering mankind's 'origins'
but through the use of concrete images such as rocks and fossils.
It uses the poem 'Here' by R.S. Thomas and contrasts it with a Wordsworthian
view of nature. It got me writing, it also had me opening 'Rattle
Bag' to reread the poem.
Reading is as
important an outcome for this book as writing, one of Singleton's
five guiding principles states 'Good readers make good writers'.
Singleton's other principles set out his 'vision' for creative writing;
imagination, self awareness and a challenge to look at life. These
with strong writing practice, an introduction to the 'craft' will
produce the thinking writers he hopes for.
The book has
nearly one thousand exercises, they are well researched and use
a wide range of cultural references. Some took me back to old favourites,
others introduced some new names. There is a logical progression
in the book and a developmental aspect, but it is possible to dip
in at any point. Writing templates and techniques are used to 'release
the forces of the imagination'. Singleton uses 'self' as the starting
point of the writing experience, but in a context, the context of
communities local and global.
What about the
'kitchen table enthusiasts' and 'ambitious students' that are identified
as the potential users of this book? A commitment from each individual
is all important in the early stages. He acknowledges the importance
of group contact and an 'anxiety free exchange of ideas' for new
writers. This book should be used in that context, as a strong supplement
but not a substitute for face-to-face learning.
The large number
of exercises may seem daunting, but the book should be an inspiration
not a task. Some may have preferred chapters that dealt with subjects
or different forms of creative writing, poetry, short stories, etc.
This would not have allowed for the organic flow of Singleton's
thoughts that make the book so interesting and easy to use. This
is a creative thinking book as well as a creative writing book.
It made me think of why as well as how, a valuable resource to me
as a workshop leader and an inspiration as a creative writer.
Barry Tench,
UK, July 2001
Buy
this book at Amazon.co.uk
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Singleton,
John
The Creative Writing Workbook
(22 March, 2001)
Palgrave, formerly Macmillan Press; ISBN: 0333792165
reviewed by Barry Tench
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