Road to Somewhere

Robert Graham is Subject Leader of Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), Cheshire, UK. Helen Newall is Reader in Performing Arts at Edge Hill University, UK, and is also a professional playwright. Heather Leach was formerly Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at MMU, Cheshire, UK. Julie Armstrong is Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at MMU, Cheshire, UK. John Singleton was one time Subject Leader of Creative Writing at MMU, UK.

Praise for the first edition: "The idea of life as a story, and the story being a journey explains the title The Road to Somewhere. As a writer you need to keep progressing and improving, and the four people who have co-edited the book together aim to help you along that journey...If you are starting out and are feeling a little lost and lonely, here is an excellent companion." - Richard Bell, Writing Magazine "This comprehensive, intelligent guide approaches writing on all levels, from basics like punctuation to the trickier parts like plotting and structure. As well as nuts and bolts advice, it includes chapters on journal writing,creativity and dreams. With dozens of writing books around, this one stands out for its greater range and depth, and its eminently readable style.' - Sarah Tierney, City Life

• AcknowledgementsNotes on ContributorsIntroduction; Heather LeachPART I: GETTING GOING1. Becoming a Writer; Heather Leach2. Creativity; Heather Leach3. Journals & Notebooks; Robert Graham4. The Necessity of Mess; John Singleton5. Visions and Dreams; Julie Armstrong6. A Writer's Territory; Julie Armstrong7. Reading As A Writer; Heather Leach8. Writing Together: Groups and Workshops; Heather Leach9. Reflection: Looking Your Words in the Face; Robert Graham and Heather Leach10. Revision: Cut It Out, Put It In; Robert GrahamPART II: ON THE ROAD11. Layout for Fiction & Memoir; Robert Graham12. Characterisation; Robert Graham13. Point of View; Robert Graham14. Dialogue; John Singleton15. Setting; Helen Newall16. Plot: Your Vehicle; Robert Graham17. Immediacy: It's Showtime; Robert Graham18. Style; Robert Graham19. Memoir; Robert Graham20. Flash Fiction; David Gaffney21. Scriptwriting for Nervous Beginners; Helen Newall22. Poetry; Robert Sheppard and Scott Thurston23. Poetry for People Who Don't Like Poetry; Heather Leach24. Digital Writing; Heather Leach and Helen NewallPART III: GOING WHERE?25. Writing As Self-Invention; Julie Armstrong26. Taking Your Writing Out Into The World; Robert Graham27. Getting Published; John Singleton28. How Not Being Published Can Change Your Life; Heather LeachPART IV: HELP29. Paragraphing and Punctuation; Robert GrahamAgony AuntPART V: GOING FURTHER Writer's BookshelfWriters' and Readers' FestivalsNotesIndex.