Free Within Ourselves: Fiction Lessons For Black Authors

by Jewell Parker Rhodes and Benjamin Franklin

Book Overview

A Bird by Bird for the African-American market--A top-notch writer's guide filled with practical guidance, essays, and journal exercises for the African-American writer including advice from E.Lynn Harris, Charles Johnson, and Yolanda Joe.

In her introduction, Jewell Parker Rhodes writes: Never (in four years of college or five years of graduate school) was I assigned an exercise or given a story example that included a person of color...While...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385491751
• ISBN13: 9780385491754
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A wonderful resource for people of color and all people.

What a wonderful resource this is. My writing partner and I have reaped hours of writing pleasure from the exercises and the resources this book has to offer. I applaud Ms. Parker Rhodes for compiling a great cast of writers who were willing to share their insights and stories to help their brothers and sisters develop their craft. However, though the book is geared toward black writers, the teachings are invaluable to anyone interested in improving their writing,

Bravo

This is a truly amazing book that should be on the shelves of any person serious about the art and craft of writing. Thank you Dr. Parker-Rhodes for serving the need of so many writers trying to make their best even better.

At Last!

I can't believe this hasn't been done sooner! I haven't been able to put the book down. I never liked writing exercises before, but now I'm filling my notebook! This book reveals the hard work that goes into being not just a successful writer, but an effective one. I recommend it to ANY author who wants to improve her craft. I also think that it would be wonderful to use as a text in creative writing courses. Jewell Parker Rhodes is not only a master of the craft of fiction, she is also a master teacher.

What We've All Been Waiting For!

Again, Jewell Parker Rhodes has given the literary community something of great value. Dr. Rhodes has already established herself as a great writer of fiction, but now she has most graciously shared her wisdom with her fans. Who could ask for a better mentor! Thank-you Dr. Rhodes!

IF YOU WANT TO WRITE, READ THIS BOOK!

Jewell Parker Rhodes wrote this book for Black writers, but it is a good book for anyone who wants to learn more about writing by studying the works of brilliant authors.The book discusses various writing techniques and follows each with exercises and examples. People say they wish they had this book when they were starting out. But I'm glad to have it now. We can never get to where we write "well enough". The advice given in this text is valuable to writers at any level of experience.