Offers a systematic strategy for working with language creatively, and shows how this can be the basis of creative writing in all genres. This is very different from the craft-based approach of typical how-to-write guides.

Includes graded exercises for each chapter, and many examples.

Draws on an understanding of 20th century literary movements.

Creative writing courses have burgeoned in recent years in colleges and universities: this book can be used as a course text, and also by aspiring writers working alone.

Hazel Smith is one of the most experienced university teachers of creative writing in Australia.