List of illustrations
Preface
1Writing as a Way of Life
Writing as a physical activity
Writing and your lifestyle
Acquiring a writers’ tool kit
Writing and your identity
2Tuning In
Tuning in to yourself
Tuning in to another person
Using the techniques you have learned
Tuning in to your characters
Tuning in to an object
Tuning in to settings
Tuning into a situation
3Discovering the Plot
Whose story is it anyway?
Inventing an audience
Playing all the parts
Letting fate take a hand
Working with astrology
4Developing Atmosphere, Pace and Mood
Creating an atmosphere
Setting the pace
Getting into a mood
5Working With Beginnings and Endings
Starting with a bang
Rounding things off
Filling in the middle
Trying different routes
6Surprising Yourself
Working in depth
Playing with words and images
7Working With Your Dreams
A different world
Using dream experiences
Working with dream images
Aware dreaming
8Recycling
Giving old characters a makeover
Giving old settings a facelift
New plots from old
New text from old
9Crafting Your Work
Weaving your material
Shaping your plot
Fine-tuning your characters
Fine-tuning your dialogue
Inventing a purpose
Focusing on style and clarity
10Editing Your Work
Appreciating your left brain
Befriending your critic
Playing the editing game
The end – no, really …
Glossary
References
Further reading
Useful addresses and websites
Index