The Train-of-Thought Writing Method

by Kathi Macias Reviewed by Erin Brown To order: Visit Kathi's Web site "Do you have a dream of becoming a writer? Would you like to learn the ins and outs of marketing your manuscripts? Have you already been rejected by editor after editor and want to find out what you might be doing wrong? If your answer is yes, this is the book for you. Kathi Macias is one terrific teacher!" So begins the Endorsements section, chock full of praises from well-known authors and editors, such as Randy Ingermanson, Don Otis, Sally E. Stuart, Susan Titus Osborn, and Kathy Ide. Written by award-winning author Kathi Macias, The Train-of-Thought Writing Method is a practical, easy-to-use guide for all writers-from beginners to the experienced who may have lost their "edge." Macias leads her readers through each of the writing stages by way of a train analogy. She uses the train's track, cowcatcher, locomotive, boxcars, couplers, observation car, and caboose to illustrate how to build a powerful manuscript by means of a summary sentence, hook, pace, transitions, fleshing out, and a strong ending. The Train-of-Thought Writing Method stands apart from other how-to-write books because of the kind and amount of first-rate examples Kathi uses in each step of the "train's" construction. She includes outstanding exercises so the reader can practice the skill taught in each chapter. This method and her examples cover fiction and nonfiction articles as well as full-length books for any genre. Kathi Macias's reminder of what constitutes good writing is an excellent resource for individuals or groups, from aspiring writers to homeschoolers to writing club or critique groups. The Train-of-Thought Writing Method belongs on every writer's resource shelf.