A book about writing that is more than about writing
594272
The author holds a written conversation with her readers about the Sacred feminine and masculine energies. We are trained well in engaging our masculine energy from the time we are babies.  We're pushed into learning, applying, and doing.  From the moment our innate desire to walk makes itself known, we engage the masculine energy.  Attending school, taking a job, all have an end point, results are always expected from us and if they're not met, our position becomes tenuous.  While masculine energy is the spirit that moves and directs, feminine energy is the soul, and it is the soul that holds the space for being and space for knowing.  It is here that Peggy excels, introducing us to the Creative Feminine.

Peggy's premise is that, " ...with sustenance from a writing community of their own gender, women can overcome the individual and cultural messages impacting their self-identity.  That it's through soul-making --through the writing-- " ...that we peel away erroneous assumptions and restrictions imposed on our lives."  And that it is through the writing process that we can "...answer the call to winnow away all that is not the perfect soul we already are."  She identifies the meaning of fearlessness as an invitation to experience the world just as it is and just as we are.

When I completed my reading, I realized several things.  It was not written in a progression.  It didn't start with one chapter which then fed directly into the next, which then paved the way for the next and so on.  Rather, it was brilliantly allowed to be circular in its movement so that every chapter was neither the beginning nor the end.  It flowed in and out like the tides.  It took you deep, then floated you back to breakfast and dishes and the phone calls that needed to be made for the day.  All together, it made the whole.

Though it is not a "first you do this, then you do that" kind of book, it is an invitation.  It invites its readers to play in a feminine approach to writing, which defies a masculine hypothesis, argument, and conclusion format.  The reader is gently nudged toward trusting the intuitive rather than the cognitive process.  It is about a practice of writing from the story content rather than about it.

Women, Writing and Soul-Making introduces concepts and practices for the writer that aren't what you find in other writing books.  Begining writers will find this book enthralling, but it is also very much for published authors and writers who've been writing a long time. Whether a fiction writer, a romance writer, a non-fiction writer, an essayist, a poet, or a memoir writer, this book transcends the how to and takes the reader to the space and knowing that come with writing from the creative feminine.

Peggy believes from her experience with years of teaching women's writing circles that how women approach writing when they embrace the Sacred Feminine is uniquely theirs.  Their root is in the feminine soul, and their connection to her grounded through the body.  In reading the pages, we begin to have a new understanding about what it means to be a woman and a woman who writes.
2652028
Not only a story within a story, but thought provoking
3172690
I like Levine's books, and I love to read about a writer's process, so that's why I bought this book. It is worth it, but it is perhaps for the writer who is not quite sure what his or her story is, who wants to explore writing and find his or her voice through lots of writing prompts. If you already have finished a book, or are working toward finishing one, this one might not be helpful. However, I do think if I ever teach a creative writing class (I currently teach freshman college English--not too creative), I will definitely use some of the writing prompts in this book--lots of fun ones!
762965
Koch combines the best of writing advice from authors on writing. It spans the entire process of completing a narrative text, covering not just fiction but also memoir.

It begins with the process of writing the very sketchiest of rough drafts and takes the writer to the final product of a completed story.

It examines the elements that go into a good story, and how the writer excavates his or her story from all of the notes in the writer's mind and assorted notebooks and pieces of paper.

A great read that should lead to great writing.
4278125
I had to purchase this book for an English class "Elements of Style" and yes, of course, we had to buy the Strunk and White (not that every writer doesn't already have at least two copies), but this book surprised me.  Gopen keeps hammering that you must write from the reader's perspective in order to make yourself understood.  Well, duh, (did you understand that?), but a lot of the points he makes about basic sentence structure is illuminating.  For example:  psychologically, some punctuation sets up the reader to expect certain things, and it is important that the writer deliver on those expectations or the reader will either a - not understand, or b - stop reading; and, if the reader is lost, the writing will be forgotten.

Not only interesting as a textbook, "The Sense of Structure" will remain a reference book for the rest of my writing - and audience reading - life.  Thank you George, for casting a rather harsh, but forgiving, light on my prose. It can only get better from here.
562782
The Good: On Writing is a 2 part book. The first part consists of short autobiographical stories about Stephen King's live. King is a fantastic writer and an interesting man, so it goes without saying that these stories are a lot of fun. The second half of the book is writing advice. Obviously, King knows what he's talking about here and the advice is logical and easy to understand. More importantly, King doesn't spew on pretentiously, as many other books about writing do. He gives you the facts, often tying them into his own experiences. There is an honesty here, without promises of fame and fortune, but rather a realistic look at the possibilities you may encounter. Even those not interested in writing themselves will enjoy this book and I can't imagine someone reading On Writing and not falling in love with King just a little bit more.

The Bad: Nothing at all.
1282224
After finishing this book, I wasn't quite sure how I felt about it.

It is seperated into three parts. The first are some brief snapshots of the author's life. Telling memories from his childhood, early jobs, first book publication, and even descent into addiction. The second part is strictly about writing. These are the pages that I found had trouble keeping my attention. The third section talks about his accident. He was hit by a motorist while walking on the shoulder of the road. He describes his experience in suprising detail.

When he shines a light on his own work, giving us an inside perspective on the books we've already, it is extremely interesting. When he is talking about the use of adverbs, not so much.

I understand that this is a book about writing. Myself not being a writer I wasn't fully able to enjoy it in its entirety. This book isn't off limits to you if you are, like myself, simply a constant reader. However, you should temper your expectations.
2175352
""On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft" is a ubiquitously important book for writers to read.
"On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft" by Stephen King is one of those odd books I never thought I'd like. I'm not into modern horror or pop fiction. king is both. That said, I found his little memoir to be illuminatingly encouraging.
I'm not sure what nonwriters will think of it. But we who collect rejection notices from our favorite publishers as if it were a hobby will connect with King's look back at leaner years.
Now, as he can sell a book merely be the merit of his name, he might've forgotten how hard it was in the beginning.
King recounts anecdote after anecdote of his efforts to get various horror magazines to buy his stuff. And when they did, he was elated. Why shouldn't he? He got paid to create something from nothing. Getting paid for writing is like printing money and getting away with it.
For the writer, who, like I, esteems to have a shelf filled with books with our name printed on the spine, read "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft." Through this book, King brings to life not some creature from the deep beyond, but the reminder that great writing, no matter the genre (and I must admit, King raises the bar of his genre), perseverence is the trick. A lot of sweat and twice the talent. Horatio Alger would dig King's memoir.
I fully recommend "On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft" by Stephen King. So many good writers give up the dream despite great skill in their given genre. King pressed on. So should you.
Anthony Trendl
3971259
This book is designed for those who wish to understand short stories through analyzing existing short stories, it gives insight into what makes a successful short story. Unfortunately this is not a book for beginners but for those wishing to improve their writing skills.
4861439
This book is part writing tools, and part memoir of his life and what led him to be a writer. I found both parts to be interesting.

As a fan of Stephen King, it was interesting to read stories on his life, as a writer, it is helpful to know that just because you didn't come from some wondrous background doesn't mean you won't be successful.

The writing tools he provides are just that, tools rather than tips. Most books I have seen on writing (or other things for that matter) give you tips; or specific things or ways to do what you are trying to learn. Those can be helpful, but not to everyone. Tools however, give you a way to figure out how YOU do it. Which, in general, is more helpful, especially in writing or art as those come from a creative place inside you that will not likely be the same for everyone.

Overall I liked it. It isn't very long, and even if you are not a writer and are just a Stephen King fan, it would be a good read, even if only once.
1590881
There's nothing here about how to write a novel, short story, or even an essay, but the book says much about what to put into sentences and paragraphs. It offers food for the process, nourishment of the writing life, and companionship on the journey. Two writers and friends with poetic and lyrical sensibility with keen awareness of the natural world talk about writing in shared letters back and forth with notes on the writing process and writing prompts. A meditation guide for writers.
1508340
On Writing is an interesting read.  The first third of the book is mostly Stephen's writing biography. Specifically, where he was in his life and what he was doing when he wrote specific books or his earlier writing experiences.  This was a lot of fun especially if you're familiar with his work - either via book or movie.

The second two thirds of the book is his tips and do's and don'ts that he has learned through his lifelong writing experiences.  He calls it your "Toolbox."  What techniques you will use in order to write proficiently or clearly.  Such as eliminating adverbs, pronouns and how to write believable dialog.  I like how he would put any first drafts away for at least six months before he would return to it.  In this way, it would feel - just enough - like someone else wrote it in order to have enough distance from your work so that it would be easier to "kill your darlings."  In other words, one could liberally edit your own work without keeping too much.  Stephen also believed fiercely in the advice he got early in his career to eliminate 10% of your first draft. If you are a first time writer looking to write fiction this is definitely a book you want to read.  He also added a list of good fiction that he has recently enjoyed.  Well worth the read if you have any interest in writing fiction.
875070
I'm not sure I have much more to add to what others have written. Yes, the first half is largely about Mr. King's life, and if this doesn't interest you, it is easy to skip forward to the second part where he addresses his top writing advice. Yes, the second half full of writing advice is from his own successes and failures, strengths and weaknesses, and his advice may not universally work for everyone. He says that much himself.

Yet none of that makes the book worthless. He does offer great insight into his process and his reasons for doing so while encouraging the writer to branch out and find what works for them. Perhaps the one thing that most struck me. though, was his honesty. He strives to be truthful in his books -- noting that a writer witnessing a neighbor picking his nose when he thinks no one is looking is only useful if the writer is willing to use it. He doesn't sugar coat his life (or his language) for us in this memoir, just as he strives to be brutally honest as he writes his works of fiction. Perhaps it is cynical or jaded. But he writes as he sees it -- and challenges the writer who dares to pick up a pen to do the same.
4345967
In academia, everyone prefers reading good writing but believes that everyone else wants tedious writing---a classic case of what social psychologists call "pluralistic ignorance." Helen Sword's book aims to motivate people to try an earthier, more human sound and to give them a sense of possibility and permission. After describing the sad state of writing across different fields, she offers advice and provides examples for academics who want to write well.

This is a good book: I enjoyed it and got much food for thought from it.
2974556
Christina Katz is a friend. Permit me to say at the outset that I'm biased. Having recommended her book about author platforms, I was eager to read THE WRITER'S WORKOUT, which is intended to help a writer sustain productivity and creativity for the duration of a healthy career.

THE WRITER'S WORKOUT is a compilation of concise instructions for self-editing, narrowing a topic's scope, pitching projects to editors, making money, professional networking, meeting deadlines, and other practical matters dear to my heart. Creative writers, however, may warm to the book's segments on coping with competition, criticism, disappointment, and burnout. New writers who aren't confident of what to write about will pull out the pages offering gentle prods and examples of how to brainstorm.

Telling writers to toss out the grammar handbooks seems counterintuitive and cringeworthy, yet it's exactly what this book suggests.  Though I'm reluctant to admit it, faulty grammar won't prevent a writer from being published--a tidbit of truth that should please plenty of aspiring authors.

Christina Katz tells writers who are in search of inspiration, "Everything in your life is trying to communicate with you." She believes that responding is a writer's vocation. Her new book outlines simple daily methods to clear the way for the intellectual and emotional engagement that produces good writing.

Another of the author's lessons that writers should tattoo somewhere: "Take 100 percent responsibility for your writing career. Don't ever expect it to be as important to anyone else as it is to you." It's easy for writers to lament the solitary nature of their work. Expressing the concept of professional independence as empowerment is much more constructive.

Yes, there's a challenging amount of information in this book, and it's directed at the pro who will exert the effort required to have a career as a writer.

Beyond mere freelance business strategy, THE WRITER'S WORKOUT addresses the writer's soul, strength, and stamina. In other words, its lessons are heartfelt. For a creative person without a supportive entourage, the one-a-day reminders that fill this book make a nice stand-in. What writer, no matter how successful and well connected, couldn't use 366 pieces of encouragement and advice from an energetic and devoted writing coach?
4463851
Writing Begins with the Breath is a joy to read, and the meditation exercises are wonderful and revealing. Writers don't always write because they want to, but because they must. The author captures what many writers experience within themselves, even if they never intend to publish a single poem, short story or book.<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/1001-Ways-to-Market-Your-Books-Sixth-Edition-1001-Ways-to-Market-Your-Books-For-Authors-and-Publishers/dp/091241149X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">1001 Ways to Market Your Books, Sixth Edition (1001 Ways to Market Your Books: For Authors and Publishers)</a><a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Hypnotic-Writing-How-to-Seduce-and-Persuade-Customers-with-Only-Your-Words/dp/0470009799/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Hypnotic Writing: How to Seduce and Persuade Customers with Only Your Words</a>
2487613
As someone who has read a number of books on writing, I'm always interested in finding someone with a fresh approach to the topic. "Efficient Book Writing" is one such book. This is not a book about the nuts and bolts of sentence structure, grammar, and the like, but one that focuses specifically on what you need to do to successfully begin a writing project and bring it to completion. Anyone who is a writer or who aspires to become a writer will benefit from its advice.

Part I of the book discusses how to plan your writing. Matters such as identifying your purpose, considering your target audience, and addressing your anxieties about writing are covered.

Part II is about gathering ideas and creating your outline. Useful suggestions include keeping an idea book, maintaining a journal, and holding brainstorming writing sessions.

The third part of the book covers the actual writing of the book itself, starting with the first draft and continuing on until you have your final copy. One of the most useful suggestions in this part involves doing "freewriting," that is, writing whatever comes to mind and doing it quickly (as a way of stimulating the creative juices).

Part IV is on systematizing the writing process. Perhaps the best piece of advice from this section involves overcoming perfectionism and negative self-talk. This section also talks about the importance of making time for writing, developing your writing routine, and getting rid of distractions.

The last part of the book is titled "Getting Your Writing Done." Like the other parts, Part V contains many useful suggestions. One of the best is this: "Start very small and build on it." As someone who has written his entire adult life, I have found that the hardest part of writing a book or article is getting into the swing of things. Like training to run a marathon, a writing project takes discipline and conditioning. Beginning with writing small chunks at a time and building one's writing stamina over time is sound advice.

At the end of the book is a helpful recap that provides a quick summary of all the points and is useful in reinforcing the points made throughout the book.

This is a must read for any aspiring writer.