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hissingpotatoes's review against another edition
0.5
It's never promising when the blurb sounds super pretentious. Unfortunately for this book that vibe continued to the max inside as well. I can't overstate how much almost every sentence oozes it. The author talks about himself in the highest terms and name/location drops all over the place. He claims "to assemble and integrate...something like a consensus among writers about the basics of their craft," which is hilarious because if you ask five writers for advice you'll get ten different responses. In the introduction he makes a point to say he has "merrily disregarded every distinction between highbrow, middlebrow, and lowbrow taste" as if he's some benevolent writing god and then proceeds to name specific authors he clearly thinks fall into one of those brows (but he doesn't distinguish, so it's not elitist!). The first sentence of chapter one is "The only way to begin is to begin, and begin right now," and the word "begin" is repeated even after that in a long-winded paragraph that says very little and sets the stage for how the rest of the book's advice will be presented. Not for me.
ankysbookbubble's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a goldmine of knowledge and inspiration. It's definitely a favourite.
caitlin_89's review against another edition
5.0
This book was fascinating, encouraging, and insightful to me as both an aspiring writer as well as a simple reader. The author's voice is friendly and easy; reading this is like having a relaxed chat with your favorite laid-back English professor. There are many voices in this book, however, as the author has compiled the advice and observations of many well-known and successful writers of great literature. As I read, I kept wanting to leave the book and get started on a writing project. (I did not, however, do this, because I have too much homework to start on my own project right now, and if I did, I wouldn't have had time to continue reading this book for leisure!)
I plan to keep this book and re-read bits and pieces of it frequently, consulting it for encouragement and guidance as I pursue writing.
If you have any interest in writing, read this! Or if you have a lot of interest in the writing process of succecssfull authors, read this!
I plan to keep this book and re-read bits and pieces of it frequently, consulting it for encouragement and guidance as I pursue writing.
If you have any interest in writing, read this! Or if you have a lot of interest in the writing process of succecssfull authors, read this!
timdams007's review against another edition
4.0
After the incredible Wonderbook, several Goodreaders recommended Stephen Koch’s work as the next thing to read. I was not disappointed. The author starts very strong and immediately begins giving away great, practical advice, as if you’re in Koch’s writing classes themselves.
The book follows the classic structure (beginning, the writing life, shaping the story, making characters live, inventing your style, the story of the self, working and reworking, finishing) which follows in the writing from start to finish.
The sage advice, accompanied by lots of quotes from other writers, lessens a bit toward the middle. The chapters on style, story and characters don’t really include any practical tips and merely focus on “emergent” style and story, which is a shame. Luckily the last two chapters (revision and finishing) again have that more hands-on approach of discussing what matters.
Great read, wWonderbook still remains my favorite though!
The book follows the classic structure (beginning, the writing life, shaping the story, making characters live, inventing your style, the story of the self, working and reworking, finishing) which follows in the writing from start to finish.
The sage advice, accompanied by lots of quotes from other writers, lessens a bit toward the middle. The chapters on style, story and characters don’t really include any practical tips and merely focus on “emergent” style and story, which is a shame. Luckily the last two chapters (revision and finishing) again have that more hands-on approach of discussing what matters.
Great read, wWonderbook still remains my favorite though!
hereisenough's review against another edition
4.0
This was so good. At first, Koch's voice was arrogant which totally turned me off, but it warmed up, encouraging and casual. I'm so glad I read this- it was s o interesting and I learned so much. I got so many quotes for my quote book, which is also great.
All in all, this is a writing book I'd love to add to my collection.
All in all, this is a writing book I'd love to add to my collection.
alexauthorshay's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not sure how well this book can constitute a "guide", at least in comparison to the many other books on craft I've read and the formats they've used. This book is more like a very long, multi-chapter rambling essay on the subject of writing, with quotes from many other writers thrown in to help Koch's claims gain legitimacy. He goes on at length about many subjects but doesn't really offer concrete strategies on any one subject, and I found myself skimming more the farther into the book I got. At best, the first half of the book could serve as a motivational tool, and the discussion around multiple drafts of novels and how they may make you feel subjectively was very relevant for me, as a writer going into draft two of a novel for the first time. But there are definitely more detailed and helpful books out there, and ones more specific to whatever form you're working on.
kjboldon's review against another edition
5.0
A really fabulous overview of how to write with great quotes and examples. I found Koch a little harsh on POV, and scant on women and BIPOC examples. But overall a wise, useful guide with a good reading list at the end.
otterforce's review against another edition
5.0
This was an enjoyable read.
It's very high-level. No in-depth specifics on the various topics covered. But it makes up for it in presenting a few different views on various parts of the writing process.
I particularly enjoyed the sections on revision and the play between nonfiction and fiction. Gave me some thoughts to consider and recommended reading I'll be adding to my queue.
I see this being a book I'll reread, both as motivation and for a bit of clarity if/when I feel lost in the process.
The reading list at the end and cited quotes are great too.
If you're looking for a manual on how to write on a mechanics or structure level, this isn't it. But if you're looking for something that sheds light on the process of writing as a whole and the various thoughts on the "right" way to write your novel or memoir, it's worth the cost of admission!
It's very high-level. No in-depth specifics on the various topics covered. But it makes up for it in presenting a few different views on various parts of the writing process.
I particularly enjoyed the sections on revision and the play between nonfiction and fiction. Gave me some thoughts to consider and recommended reading I'll be adding to my queue.
I see this being a book I'll reread, both as motivation and for a bit of clarity if/when I feel lost in the process.
The reading list at the end and cited quotes are great too.
If you're looking for a manual on how to write on a mechanics or structure level, this isn't it. But if you're looking for something that sheds light on the process of writing as a whole and the various thoughts on the "right" way to write your novel or memoir, it's worth the cost of admission!
nimishg's review against another edition
3.0
I'm an absolute beginner who had this book recommended.
It seems to be full of wisdom that makes sense in retrospect or maybe summarizes intuitions that an intermediate-writer might have been struggling to make, and I think an intermediate writer might get a lot more out of this than I did.
As an actual total beginner, though, it's a little all over the place. I was able to get a few really nice solid stand-alone tips out of it, but I feel like it was lots of tips for problems I haven't encountered yet as opposed to 'how to begin'.
Still, it is deeply encouraging (except for a random chapter close to the beginning which is deliberately discouraging for 'realism') and full of the writer's personal musing so you kind of get the idea of what he's feeling and has felt while engaging in writing and generally seems positive.
It seems to be full of wisdom that makes sense in retrospect or maybe summarizes intuitions that an intermediate-writer might have been struggling to make, and I think an intermediate writer might get a lot more out of this than I did.
As an actual total beginner, though, it's a little all over the place. I was able to get a few really nice solid stand-alone tips out of it, but I feel like it was lots of tips for problems I haven't encountered yet as opposed to 'how to begin'.
Still, it is deeply encouraging (except for a random chapter close to the beginning which is deliberately discouraging for 'realism') and full of the writer's personal musing so you kind of get the idea of what he's feeling and has felt while engaging in writing and generally seems positive.