reported by William A. Davis, FictionFanatic.com

For some, the act of writing is a grueling process, while others who find that words flow easily might struggle with organizing their thoughts. In his new book, Acid Dream and Other Essays, Poems, Stories & Songs (now available through AuthorHouse), A.K. Whitlock presents a range of prose and poetry that runs the gamut from structured composition to free-flowing verse and includes a guide to writing essays.

A self-described slow learner, Whitlock understands the frustration of those struggling to write cohesive, effective compositions. Acid Dream and Other Essays, Poems, Stories & Songs delivers examples of essays that are entertaining and informative. The book centers around a particular chapter, titled "An Essay on Writing an Essay," which was written with high school and college students in mind. This composition takes apart the essay and explains the essential pieces that come together to make a successful written work.

The other chapters deliver poetry and prose on a variety of topics. In the title essay, "Acid Dream," Whitlock gets inside the head of a drug user to expose what it is like to have a bad trip on the hallucinogenic drug. Another essay, titled "The Goat," explores the plight of two brothers and their experiences with the perturbed animal in the middle of the night. Other poems and songs round out the book with an eclectic mix of structure and spontaneity.

"If nothing else, [the] essay on how to write an essay is worth the money of the book alone," writes Whitlock. "Let's face it. Teachers expect parents to teach their children how to write one before the fifth grade. And if no one has told the reader how to write an essay, this will be a good start."

Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Whitlock graduated from Del City High School in 1969 and joined the Army. He served in the Vietnam War and remained in service with the military for 10 years. In 1984, he moved to Minnesota to earn a degree in English literature and to find work. He has also written A Bit of Tragedy (available soon through AuthorHouse).