ABSTRACT

How We Write is an accessible guide to the entire writing process, from forming ideas to formatting text. Combining new explanations of creativity with insights into writing as design, it offers a full account of the mental, physical and social aspects of writing. How We Write explores: how children learn to write the importance of reflective thinking processes of planning, composing and revising visual design of text cultural influences on writing global hypertext and the future of collaborative and on-line writing. By referring to a wealth of examples from writers such as Umberto Eco, Terry Pratchett and Ian Fleming, How We Write ultimately teaches us how to control and extend our own writing abilities. How We Write will be of value to students and teachers of language and psychology, professional and aspiring writers, and anyone interested in this familiar yet complex activity.

part One|52 pages

Writing in the head

chapter Chapter 1|10 pages

The nature of writing

chapter Chapter 2|24 pages

Becoming a writer

chapter Chapter 3|16 pages

Constraint and creativity

part Two|98 pages

Writing with the page

chapter Chapter 4|19 pages

Writing as design

chapter Chapter 5|16 pages

Planning

chapter Chapter 6|12 pages

Composing

chapter Chapter 7|10 pages

Revising

chapter Chapter 8|17 pages

Being a writer

chapter Chapter 9|22 pages

Writing images

part Three|55 pages

Writing in the world

chapter Chapter 10|15 pages

Messages in bottles and cultures

chapter Chapter 11|19 pages

Writing together