Few questions on "Author Craft"

[Madd]

While in middle school, and high school I took some creative writing courses, and begun compiling notes for a couple novels.  Unfortunately the outside world intruded, and I haven't had a chance to pick them back up now for a little over 5 years.  To compound issues, I'm a biochemist (graduate in may with degree) and such have done NOTHING besides technical writing in those 5 years.  Technical writing is intentionally dull, and while its wonderful for lab reports and research, its absolutely horrible for someone who intends to write for entertainment purposes.

I guess my major questions involve "getting back in the groove".  Are there any exercises, websites, or books I could read that would help me get back into creative writing?  Or should I just bite the bullet and take a couple more college courses?

Any help would be appreciated guys, at the very least it would bring me some peace of mind, having all this crap bouncing around in my head has been driving me nuts the past few years.

[Cooper]

NaNoWriMo.org and the book "No Plot, No Problem!" by Chris Baty.  These two helped me start on my first book.

[LizW65]

Stephen King's On Writing is a lovely book; while most of the practical information contained in it can be found elsewhere, the chatty, conversational style makes it a far more appealing read than much of the competition.

[Starbeam]

On Writing is a very good book; I keep my copy on the bookshelf by my desk.  Someone on the board long ago mentioned Writing Excuses, a podcast by two authors and a webcomic guy, they're pretty good.  Website is writingexcuses.com.  After the first several episodes, they started giving writing prompts at the end, and some of 'em are pretty different.  Also, just sit and write.  Write anything.

[LizW65]

Just curious Madd -- are you the same Madd who posts to Smart Bitches Trashy Books?  I'm there under my real name of Elizabeth Wadsworth.

[The Dread Pharaoh Roberts]

Jim's LiveJournal is a good resource. 

[meg_evonne]

Ditto to Capt's note to Jim's writing blog.  Also search out writing cons near you.  I was in Denver for MiHi and it was fantastic.  I came away with tons of juicy tidbits from major writers.  (Jim was featured author as well.)  You can try some of the online writing classes at mediabistro.com--pricey but will force you to crank out pages and spark those creative cells.

Honestly, just pick up the keyboard, guy...  all the classes and books in the world to get you started is just putting off picking up the e-pen.  So start writing.  You can go back later after classes etc and say OMG I was such an idiot back then!

[ballplayer72]

While in middle school, and high school I took some creative writing courses, and begun compiling notes for a couple novels.  Unfortunately the outside world intruded, and I haven't had a chance to pick them back up now for a little over 5 years.  To compound issues, I'm a biochemist (graduate in may with degree) and such have done NOTHING besides technical writing in those 5 years.  Technical writing is intentionally dull, and while its wonderful for lab reports and research, its absolutely horrible for someone who intends to write for entertainment purposes.

I guess my major questions involve "getting back in the groove".  Are there any exercises, websites, or books I could read that would help me get back into creative writing?  Or should I just bite the bullet and take a couple more college courses?

Any help would be appreciated guys, at the very least it would bring me some peace of mind, having all this crap bouncing around in my head has been driving me nuts the past few years.

I like to start with a brainstorm/fantasy/daydream.  Just spend some time imagining.  It doesn't have to have a plot or make sense even, just throw rocks at the low hanging fruit until it comes down.  Then munch the fruit with a pad and pen to record it so youve got a bit of an idea. Go from there

[Madd]

Thanks everyone for the tips, books, websites etc!  I've already started looking through things

Just curious Madd -- are you the same Madd who posts to Smart Bitches Trashy Books?  I'm there under my real name of Elizabeth Wadsworth.

Nope, Madd is a gamer handle I've used since '03.  Its short for Madd Hattr lol (I'm not always terribly original, but it was just for gaming  )

[Lisa™]

Any books written/advice given on writing books by professional authors is usually sound, however much the advice may vary.  NaNoWriMo is also a good, fun exercise for just sitting down and hammering something out, mostly because it doesn't much matter what you write.  The premise of it is fairly simple - give yourself a month to write 50,000 words.  On anything.  You never know what the result might be.