Saturday, August 29, 2009

Fundamentals of Creative Writing Available


My book, Fundamentals of Creative Writing, was also released by Anvil this August. Proper book launching will be scheduled when I return to the Philippines in early 2010, but the book is available from Anvilpublishing.com and from palhbooks.com.

It's a how-to-write book sharing what I've been teaching at the Writers' Program of UCLA Extension for 15 years.

The back cover blurbs say:

Fundamentals of Creative Writing is a powerful resource to encourage students and/or aspiring writers to strive for excellence in their writing skills. Not only does it guide readers through the basics of setting, scene, character, conflict, dialogue, plot, point of view, voice, style, theme and tone but it also provides useful activities that challenges the writer to get their creative juices flowing. I would highly recommend this excellent book to anyone who wants to improve and enhance their creative writing skills.
Jacqueline Gullas-Weckman
Vice-President, Academic Affairs
University of the Visayas


Cecilia Manguerra Brainard has written a wonderful resource for students of creative writing. This book, Fundamentals of Creative Writing, provides students with practical steps that truly work. The strategies presented in this book are a product of the authors 15 years of teaching creative writing. She is also a prolific writer who has written numerous short stories, novels, and non-fiction books.
Edmundo F. Litton, Ed.D.
Associate Professor of Education
Loyola Marymount University

This book (Fundamentals of Creative Writing) describes the “essentials” of creative writing, not only from a technical perspective, but also by unveiling how creative writing leads us to imaginatively engage and act upon the world. Brainard’s structure reminds us that, above and beyond technique, the most important thing a writer needs is a genuine love of story and a respect for the power of words.
RocĂ­o G. Davis
Associate Professor of American Literature, University of Navarra, Spain
Author of Begin Here: Reading Asian North American Autobiographies of Childhood

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard's Fundamentals of Creative Writing is a marvelous textbook that combines useful technical advice on craft with beautiful practical examples in her own stories. Brainard's treatments of writerly voice and left brain/right brain theory as it connects to writing are among the best available in today's writing textbooks. Her story examples cover a variety of story types, techniques, points of view, and historical as well as contemporary topics and themes. This book will indeed help writing students write strong stories and improve their craft. Brava, Ms. Brainard.
Vince Gotera, Editor of the North American Review
Professor of Creative Writing, University Northern Iowa

PHOTOS FINDING GOD BOOK LAUNCH, MAKATI & MANILA


Makati seated l-r: Marily Orosa, Isagani Cruz; Standing l-r: Cecilia Brainard, Karina Bolasco

Makati, seated l-r: Brenda Arroyo, Nina Lim, Edna Del Rosario, Evelyn Bosch; Standing l-r: Mila Santillan, Maribel Alvarez, Joy Uytioco, Cecilia Brainard, Marily Orosa

Makati l-r: Marily Orosa, Cecilia Brainard

Makati l-r: Raquel Balagtas, Cecilia Brainard, Araceli Lorayes, Tessa Tan, Meng Sanico, Mila Santillan

Makati l-r: Mayen Tan, Liza Martinez, Felice Sta. Romana,Raquel Balagtas, Cecilia Brainard, Marily Orosa

Makati l-r: Marily Orosa,Mila Aguilar, Cecilia Brainard, Mayen Tan

Makati l-r: Mayen Tan, Cecilia Brainard,Brenda Arroyo, Maribel Alvarez, Mila Aguilar

Cebu l-r: Cecilia Brainard, Carlos Cortes

Cebu l-r: Cecilia Brainard, Jaime Picornell, Karina Bolasco

More photos of the book launchings of Finding God in Makati and Cebu in
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=135925&id=769308553&l=2818f5b677

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Report Book Launch of Finding God, National, Glorietta 5, Makati

Was the Manila launch of Finding God a success?

Oh yes!

Around 150 people attended the book launch of Finding God in National Bookstore, Glorietta 5, Makati. Mila Aguilar, Raquel Villavicencio Balagtas, Liza Martinez, Felice Sta. Maria, Mayen Tan, Marily Orosa and I shared excerpts from our pieces in the book. Good reading, attentive crowd, great food.

I'll be posting pictures later on. Cebu launch of Finding God coming up, Aug. 21, Powerbooks,SM, North Reclamation Cebu.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

MARILY & CECILIA ON NBC EASY READING RADIO

Marily Orosa and Cecilia Brainard were featured in NBS Easy Reading, radio talk show, this morning. They talked about their new book, Finding God: True Stories of Spiritual Encounters.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

REMINDER BOOK LAUNCH FINDING GOD

REMINDER BOOK LAUNCH OF FINDING GOD

Anvil Publishing and National Bookstore cordially invite you to the launch of

FINDING GOD: True Stories of Spiritual Encounters

EDITED AND COLLECTED BY Cecilia Manguerra Brainard & Marily Ysip Orosa

AUGUST 14, 6 to 9 pm NATIONAL BOOKSTORE GLORIETTA 5 MAKATI CITY
&
AUGUST 21, 6 to 9 pm POWERBOOKS CEBU 2ND FLOOR, SM CITY NORTH RECLAMATION, CEBU CITY