Fast Fiction: Creating Fiction in Five Minutes

I read this book and totally loved it. There are so many writing exercises and it's so fun doing them. For example, one topic might be to write about a secret and you have only five minutes to write about it. When I did the exercises I was so surprised by some of the stuff I wrote. The ideas just came in a flash for me. I found myself with so many ideas rushing through me that I had to slow down a little to actually get everything written down. Occasionally, I would read one of the topics and for a second I'd think something like, "Okay, I can't think of anything to write about an insect" and then the next second I found myself just writing for five minutes straight as the story rapidly unfolded in my mind. When the five minutes were up, I'd be left feeling stunned that I actually wrote a pretty decent story on a subject like the one above. Although, I've always enjoyed writing, before I read this book I was starting to get a little stuck. I had trouble thinking of topics or finishing short stories. This book really made me want to start writing stories again. I haven't completely finished the book yet, but already it has really helped me out a lot. I undoubtedly reccomend this book to anyone reading this review.

I read this book and totally loved it. There are so many writing exercises and it's so fun doing them. For example, one topic might be to write about a secret and you have only five minutes to write about it. When I did the exercises I was so surprised by some of the stuff I wrote. The ideas just came in a flash for me. I found myself with so many ideas rushing through me that I had to slow down a little to actually get everything written down. Occasionally, I would read one of the topics and for a second I'd think something like, "Okay, I can't think of anything to write about an insect" and then the next second I found myself just writing for five minutes straight as the story rapidly unfolded in my mind. When the five minutes were up, I'd be left feeling stunned that I actually wrote a pretty decent story on a subject like the one above. Although, I've always enjoyed writing, before I read this book I was starting to get a little stuck. I had trouble thinking of topics or finishing short stories. This book really made me want to start writing stories again. I haven't completely finished the book yet, but already it has really helped me out a lot. I unquestionably reccomend this book to anyone reading this review.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. It was great. I've always enjoyed writing, but a few months ago I got writer's block. This book helped me to get started in short stories again. I highly recommend this book to anyone reading this review.

I have really gotten a lot out of this book. Ms. Allen breaks down the art of storytelling into 5 minute exercises that are easily done, and that can be linked together to complete longer stories - even full-length novels! By breaking the assignments down into 5 minute exercises, she takes a rather daunting task and turns it into something easily confronted and easily done. She gives lists of exercises which are varied and interesting, and which are geared to really stimulate one's creativity. There is even a section of photographs that one can use as a starting point in their writing. I really enjoyed reading the samples of short shorts which she included, both from unpublished and published writers, and I found her appreciation for her students to be very encouraging.I think she must be a wonderful teacher, and I am actually quite grateful that she has written this book. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys writing, or who thinks they MIGHT enjoy it if given the proper encouragement.

Roberta's "Fast Fiction" has helped me tremendously. With my little kitchen timer and her exercises, you get past the "writer's block." She makes this phrase almost obsolute! A necessary book for both published and unpublished writers. A great tool for anyone living the writer's life!