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A New Tale
A New Tale
A New Tale
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A New Tale

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A New Tale by author, poet, reporter Stu Leventhal is about creative writers of all kinds getting empowered to communicate at many written levels, genres and using all kinds of innovative styles so readers understand and look forward to reading each of your new publications. Learn how to express things imaginatively but also so readers get it the first time and are entertained!

A New Tale is about connecting with your readers so your thoughts and ideas aren’t misinterpreted and are enjoyed. A New Tale is an author, poet, creative artist pep talk!

Learn about developing energetic styles and unique and coherent communications. A New Tale teaches expressive, inventive, creative and interesting writing. The goal is written conversation of high quality!

Creative writing cannot always be analyzed, classified, described...but it can be taught!

Language is not always meant to be scrutinized. People should not be censored or edited! But, there are standards that serious authors need to meet when they wish to move from a hobby creative writer to a professional author!

Stu Leventhal’s A New Tale gives novices and experienced writers the bravado and skills to take their writing where no one has gone yet. A New Tale is just what the title implies; tips, advice, a guide for creating magical writing in every literary field and genre.

One cannot live in today’s modern society without writing well. Daily we are even being judged by how well we express ourselves via our cell phones and over the internet. Now more than ever, you owe it to yourself to learn how to write the very best you can! The age of technology is here and writing well is a big part of it all. A New Tale teaches you how to think and create more inventively, uniquely and interestingly!

Authors of all levels will learn how to use words and language more clearly, passionately and to write more effectively, eloquently with grace and flare. Your written communications will be elevated to confident, works of genius and imagination. Ordinary correspondence will become extraordinary, word art correspondence.

You were born with the gift to write; we all were. From poetry to prose and every written communication form in between; A New Tale will help you say what you wish to say! A New tale is about writing and expressing yourself with originality, personality and style!

LanguageEnglish
PublisherStu Leventhal
Release dateDec 30, 2014
ISBN9781310823596
A New Tale
Author

Stu Leventhal

Author Stu Leventhal writes fiction; sci-fi, mysteries, westerns as well as nonfiction; business and marketing advice and how to books. Stu Leventhal's writing is published all over the web as well as offline in print in newspapers and magazines. His poetry and song lyrics are included in many poem journals. Stu Leventhal is a restaurant, bar and club review writer for the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. Stu Leventhal runs Philadelphia Restaurant Consultant which specializes in advice for marketing and managing hospitality businesses.

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    Book preview

    A New Tale - Stu Leventhal

    CREATIVE WRITING - IS THERE ANY OTHER KIND?

    Writing is man’s way of keeping track of his thoughts. So, how can anything someone puts into words then writes down with the specific intent of making it more permanent, not be done creatively? Well interestingly, man has developed over the years into an advanced being that needs plenty written verbatim just for people and society to function. Road signs, maps, instruction manuals all are not written very creatively. Excuse me! Sure they are! School text books are kind of boring but believe me they took creativity to produce too. Oh yes, there are times when we are just going through the motions of writing down our thoughts by just doing our jobs or what is expected of us by teachers, bosses and social pressures such as with bookkeeping, business journals and record keeping. But in reality even journals and record keeping can be done creatively!

    Now that we have gotten the horse out of the gate; let me state that you all are creative writers already! Certainly if you can read this book you have written many things; letters, school reports, test and quiz answers, government surveys. You’ve filled out job applications, created a resume, kept a journal or diary for a period of time… Some of you have even tried your hands at writing poetry or a short story or two, whether to enter it into a writing contest or as an assignment for school. Perhaps you have written a love note to someone or even jotted a few extra lines in the inside of a birthday card for a very special person in your life. You have written creatively! And to be quite honest, in our modern day society, you will write creatively again…….and again and again. I really do not see how any man, woman or even a young child can get through life anymore without reading or writing!

    But, let’s not skirt the issue; creative writing is an art and like all arts there are going to be some really great artists, some average artists, some mediocre and some artists that struggle. So the question is what type of writer do you intend to be? Unlike just choosing not to be a sculpture or violinist or painter you cannot choose not to write and read. We are all placed in schools at a young age and we learn to write and read because you cannot get through school without writing and reading. Still everyone develops their reading and writing abilities at different rates. But the point I am trying to make is you cannot choose not to participate in the craft of writing and reading and make your way in modern societies. So, you might as well try to learn the ins and outs of a skill most of you will use more than once a day for the rest of your life.

    Yes, creative writing is an art. And all art takes practice to become good! But not everyone likes writing. Some only read and write when they absolutely have to. Many find writing exhausting and reading frustrating. If you bought this book then you probably want to learn how to write better for your career or you wish to become a famous author, poet or Hollywood movie script writer. Maybe you want to be a news journalist or want to learn how to write advertisement copy better for your own business or perhaps as a manager you realize the value of having better written communication skills. The first step to writing creatively is to stop taking writing for granted. Realize that subpar writing, anytime you do it, represents you just as much as how suave and witty you are when chit chatting with your friends, represents who you are. At work bad writing skills can sabotage your career! At school bad writing can seriously hold your learning opportunities back! Today, with the internet and mobile communications becoming so important; if you can’t write creatively you are socially defunct!

    Every time we pick up a pen and write, even just one word or two words jotted quickly on a scrap of paper that we hang on the refrigerator door with a magnet so the rest of our family will know we will be coming home from work later than usual, we are participating in the marvelous, magical world of creative writing. We started with a blank piece of paper and we created something of value! Yes, we have the choice as to how expressive; informative, entertaining, dramatic or scholarly we wish to be with our refrigerator note. No one says we cannot be witty, sarcastic, cute or funny. We might choose to leave a very involved reminder for one of our children to work on that book report that is due next Monday or encourage a loved one or spouse to stick to their diet. If you really want to get everyone’s attention you may write your note in the form of a silly rhyming poem:

    Sorry I’m not here….Dear.

    But I made your favorite food.

    You can start with a cold beer,

    And drop the attitude.

    Dinner’s in the crock pot.

    I hope you like it a lot.

    I will be home at eight.

    But please don’t wait.

    Be merry, drink and eat.

    For desert I’m bringing home a treat.

    That really can’t be beat.

    See you soon, Dear! See you soon!

    That is art, Word Art and that is what creative writing is all about. Writing is mankind’s special gift that no other creatures big or small so far seem to be able to grasp. Man has really taken advantage to develop our special skills of writing quite remarkably.

    Creative writing is about letting your personality show through in your writing. It is not about learning how to use big words to impress everyone. All great creative writers in time come to understand that the simplest words that meet all of the requirements of their writing project are always the best words to use. The magic of literature starts with writing clearly and understandably. Big words do the opposite; they confuse us and shine the spotlight on themselves rather than on what we are trying to say. All big fancy words do is remind us that we are reading which, is the fastest way to kill a good read!

    If you wish to become a great expressive writer, start to develop the habit of putting your own special stamp on everything you write! No matter how trivial the writing opportunity seems to be, write your message artistically! Then when it comes time to write that all-important 25 page term thesis paper you will already understand the power that expressing yourself in your own voice has on your readers…especially professors and bosses! Writing creatively is not just for poet laureates and novelists. Artistic Creative Writing enhances all our lives as readers, authors and human beings every day.

    You should embrace every chance you have to write as your big chance to shine. It is like being handed the microphone on open mike night. You and only you own the stage when you are writing. Yes, people do judge you by how you write just as much, if not more than how you dress, act, relate to others socially and how eloquently and confidently you speak. Take your time when you put something down on paper. Remember, every time you write you are in effect recording evidence, showing who you are and how you feel. We really do leave a piece of ourselves on every page we write. If your personality and how people think of you means anything to you then there is no better way to influence how you are perceived by other than by developing your writing skills.

    Whatever you write is meant to hang around for at least a short time and possibly for a very long time. Lots of writings have a way of become misplaced, shoved in a draw or box then re-emerging years later. Writings also have a way of being read by people who were never meant to read them. Whenever you decide something is important enough to record it on paper that should be considered serious business!

    Stop writing willy-nilly! If it is worth writing it is worth putting your best effort into it! You never know who might see it!

    Whether or not you actually sign your name at the top or bottom formally does not really matter; you are effectually signing your name to everything you write and taking responsibility as the author because people who know you will recognize you in your writing. And isn’t recognition the reason you picked up your pen to write anyway. You wanted your chance to be heard on a subject! You wanted to sound off. It is your right as a human to write! But with that right come responsibilities! I am not talking about the obvious responsibilities you have towards your intended readers but responsibilities towards mankind in general and more importantly towards yourself!

    People write and use writing for many reasons and purposes and therefore there are many reasons to wish to learn how to write better. Writing is a very personal experience! As such, writing can be very therapeutic as well as eye opening. Even when you write something specifically for someone else to read you are still always learning something about yourself in the process. Your writing career is a journey of self-realization and discovery. Shouldn’t you want to know everything you can about such an important aspect of your life? Can you see the value and impact to yourself that learning how to write better, clearer, more concise and with more passion can have on every aspect of your existence? The beauty of writing is how it allows us to isolate our thoughts at any given time then revisit them, study them and analyze them anytime we wish. That allows us to rethink what we originally thought was our best idea and improve on it!

    Once written down we can turn fleeting thoughts into powerful life changing opportunities! We can hang onto our dreams and further develop our ideas! Writing allows us to remember! Can you see how if you write poorly you will remember poorly, your dreams will dwindle and eventually fade away and your possibilities of living fully are put at serious risk! Writing truly is your best tool for coping with everything life has to throw your way. I am not here to say learning to write better is going to be easy. But it will be more worthwhile than you ever imagined. Writing is the key to what makes man so great and capable. Writing separates us from the beasts! It is in your best interest to nurture this powerful unique ability. Respect your reading and writing skills and develop them the best you can! Hone your writing skills and they will go on serving you for the rest of your life!

    Why does everyone want to look for the easy way out?

    • The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

    • You have to take time out to smell the roses.

    • You can’t see the forest for the trees.

    These old wise tales hit home runs because they are true. That’s why they get passed down from generation to generation!

    Any skill of value takes time and commitment to master! The craft of writing well is so valuable and intriguing that many dedicate a lifetime to her study and practice! Don’t you think it might be a good idea for you to at least take a little bit of time to put aside each day or every few days to commit to enhancing your writing skills? Doesn’t your biggest asset as a human being, the one thing that defines your species as superior to every other species known, deserve a little bit of extra attention from all of us now and again? Writing is still the best way to finding out who you really are. Writing is also very soothing, comforting and psychologically and spiritually very rewarding and healthy. You deserve to explore everything writing has to offer you and to get the most out of such a miraculous gift. You deserve to experience the pleasures, knowledge, wealth and emotional strength and satisfaction gained by learning to truly write well! The easiest way for a person to bond with other people and to truly feel complete as a productive member of the human race is through writing and sharing a piece of them self.

    Think of all the soldiers who carry their lovers’ letters throughout their whole tour of duty in the field rereading and rereading the words that mean so much, every free chance they get. Writing really is the gift the keeps on giving!

    It is man’s natural instinct to try to always progress, which generally means to try to make things easier, safer, faster, more comfortable and or enjoyable for all of us. Nothing has played a bigger role than writing in man’s history of progression and development. Mankind has been living basically the same life style for years and years and years. Since the beginning of our existence we have had the same immediate needs and concern as all the other creatures we share our wonderful planet with; survival, food, shelter, safety, love and companionship which leads to the perpetuation of our species. Once we meet our most basic life sustaining necessities our thoughts go to recreation. Man has a love affair with the never ending and never satisfy-able quest for fun and more enjoyment!

    Most of the stuff people think about daily is how we can get all the things we have to do each day, done quicker or easier so we have more time to do more meaningful things...any things! We build inventions to do our chores for us then we improve the inventions until they can do much more volumes of work at supersonic speeds. When it comes to art we have to slow down!

    Since writing creatively means writing artistically and putting more thought into the words we commit to paper, it is pretty obvious that we will have to take our time and think things thoroughly through if we want to produce our best written work.

    Artistic value does not come out of the economy of time. Generally the longer you work at any artistic craft the better you get at it. Practice makes perfect on the; violin, piano with dancing and also with creative writing. You cannot take writing for granted as we do with talking and speaking and expect to get better and better at it as the days go on. Yes, you will naturally write better as you mature, gaining more knowledge and taking in more of life’s magical experiences. Plus, the more you write creatively the more confidence you gain so you start believing more in the value of what you have to say and share. But, to really expand your writing abilities to the point where you are getting full enjoyment and satisfaction from writing, you know, deep inside, that you will have to work at it to get to that point where you are really proud of the writing you produce.

    Our motive for writing, at its core, is to share something we have to say with others. If we want anyone to listen or to pay our words and efforts any attention at all, we obviously have to show that the subject we are writing about is important to you. Appreciation from others for one’s work is gained by the amount of effort, time and thought one puts into one’s project. We can present our messages hastily and sloppily or we can take the time to make something very beautiful and awe inspiring.

    The people you share your art work with can tell how much you cared and struggled as you created it. They can feel your passion, your painful concentration, your love and they can feel when your heart really was not in the work you were working on! The value of the creative writing you produce will be determined by what you put into creating it. Do you really believe enough in what you wish to tell and share to do all you can to make sure everyone reads every word! Because if you do not then why are you asking me and others to take the time to read it!

    Sure there are those; ballerinas, pianists, poets, writers, lyricists, chess players and athletes who seemingly have been born with their gift. For these few and far between geniuses, learning their preferred crafts seems to come effortless and soon they are taking their acquired skills to new heights, marveling us all and showing us new worlds and levels of possibilities we didn’t even know existed to us. Still, I am here to tell you that study, they too must have done plenty of and practice they did often too! Nothing worthwhile comes that easy. The magic is in making it look like it is that easy!

    Sports records will always be broken and great stories will always be topped by new creative writers. Each generation challenges the coming generations. We do not lose respect for all our ancestors have done in paving the way for us to achieve all that we can achieve. We remember with love and admiration all that came before and we strive to earn our ancestor’s respect and do their efforts justice by carrying on.

    We create art to test ourselves, to see what we are truly capable of. Sure, we wish others to enjoy our efforts too but really that is a byproduct of our artistic journey and our search for self-realization. We are in this first to learn about ourselves and to push ourselves to our limits and beyond. Eventually when we become proud of our accomplishments we will wish to share them.

    Art tests our intelligence and helps us explore our minds. Whether our preferred art is painting, writing or music we start with nothing worth much of anything. We pick up a musical instrument and pluck strings for a few hours until a new melody is born. A blank piece of paper becomes a hazard warning sign, an advertisement or the first page of a script for a movie scene! A lump of clay becomes a soldier or a vase or just a more interesting, attention grasping, lump of clay! Something worthwhile and meaningful is transformed out of the mundane!

    The fun and challenge of art is to progressively prove we can make something more valuable the next time we work. Can you see how the true artist is never really ever going to be satisfied with his art or with himself? The artist will always wish to one up even the most beautiful projects whether they were made by him or others. That is human nature and most of the time it is best fulfilled and most safely and efficiently pursued through the practice of the arts.

    Creating Art is a personal and spiritual journey of learning and experiencing then expressing. Thus, creative writing is going to be a very personal and at times a spiritually enlightening journey. The only short cuts are being exposed often to other great emotional works of art for inspiration or being around other great artists who are willing to mentor you. For most of us those luxuries are limited. So, mostly we study when we can, we appreciate the masters when we have some free time and we practice, practice, practice… creating every chance we get between living a life while earning our livings in some other field.

    Those of us who are bitten by the Creative writing bug, read all the confirmed literary masters absorbing all we can. We write when we can then shyly give our own original works of art to anyone who will critique them for us. Usually that means you get a faulty review from a friend or family member or lame patronizing encouragement from someone who thinks they are doing you a favor by not hurting your feelings or worse discouragement from a teacher or someone in authority with a chip on their shoulder!

    When we try to sell our work, especially if we have not sold anything yet, we are all in for a slew of impersonal, mostly ignorantly written, one or two line, rejection letters from incompetent people who somehow managed to acquire high positions in the publishing industry! It is a sad state of affairs but all artists of all kinds; actors, dancers, singers must work through the rejection period. You are measured and admired as a person, by others and by yourself, based on whether or not you can muster up the courage to continue on with your convictions despite the skepticism and negativity all around you. All men and women of daring; scientists, explorers, entrepreneurs must struggle for acceptance and earn respect in this way. 

    Remember that in; creative writing, sculpture, painting as well as all art forms we start with a blank canvas, an empty stage, a lump of formless clay or a clean sheet of paper then we create something with meaning out of virtually nothing, how can that ever be judged? Can you see how no one can put limits rules or price values on what an artist creates, except the artist himself? Therefore, you should understand there can never really be any firm art rules. Or any authority institutions that have the final say as to whether a creation is art or rubbish! But, just because there are no rules, does not mean there can be no lessons, no advice or no criticism!

    Naturally, the more skilled the artist is, as well as the quality of the materials he or she is working with, the more valuable we assume the finished art project will be. Craft a tulip out of gold and it is marveled at. Create a tulip out of straw glue and cut up pieces of fabric from an old discarded tablecloth and it too is marveled at. But who is to say which is more valuable? There are proven techniques and effective methods of expression that our literary societies and learning institutions choose to pay more attention to. There are better paints and better clays and yes even better canvas and paint brushes. Still, some of the best works of art have been made with the most meager, even self-made supplies as has some of our most treasured literature been written about simple subjects, built around age-old, ordinary plots, everyday common characters and basic themes and life challenges.

    The painter adds colors to a page in a way so that others can relate and be delighted. The writer uses words to tell a meaningful tale. The musician compiles sounds to create an emotional mood and more. The dancer gyrates and acts out to relay a message. Each ‘recognized’ art form of expression has developed its own formats which throughout the years have become accepted as guidelines. We say ‘recognized’ art form because seriously there is no law against creating a whole new art form through which to express one’s self!

    Mankind is always progressing and there will always be someone who develops a way to use our advancements for art purposes. Of course you should anticipate being shunned or labeled a cheater, like Bob Dillon was booed when he first decided to perform playing electric guitar instead of using a traditional guitar. But hang tough, it is every human’s right to express them self by any means and method they wish to employ as long as they are not hurting anyone else in the process! Bob Dillon, as most of you know, went on to become a legend in rock and roll as well as the folk music genre. The electric guitar is now as common on stage as the drums, piano, saxophone or trumpet.

    Did you know the modern day version of the Violin is thought to be over five hundred years old and its ancestor the Lire, thought to be the first formal bowed musical instrument, got its start around the year 800 during the reign of the Byzantine Empire? Will the electric guitar still be played on stage 500 or 1000 years from now? Only time will tell.

    Authorities often judge art works by their adhesion to certain criteria or standards relevant to the arts specialty. For example, certain dance routines are characterized by certain body moves or positions. Point your toes, don’t point your toes. Some dances you are allowed to let go of your partner, others you cannot break hold. There are obviously, rules

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