Scan barcode
Reviews
The Anatomy of Prose: 12 Steps to Sensational Sentences (Better Writers Series) by Sacha Black
jtisreading's review against another edition
5.0
How have I not heard of Sacha Black before this book? What an awesome fiction prose writing primer.
Black is funny, a little naughty, and conversational in her approach.
She also knows exactly what she is talking about and I really respect her after this book. I will read some of her fiction, someday..... but wow this volume had solid practical advice, contained a lot of depth and examples, was structured in a helpful way to later use referentially, and was enjoyable to read cover to cover.
IF you want to be a writer, this book is a great tool for your toolkit.
Mark it up!
Black is funny, a little naughty, and conversational in her approach.
She also knows exactly what she is talking about and I really respect her after this book. I will read some of her fiction, someday..... but wow this volume had solid practical advice, contained a lot of depth and examples, was structured in a helpful way to later use referentially, and was enjoyable to read cover to cover.
IF you want to be a writer, this book is a great tool for your toolkit.
Mark it up!
lolasreviews's review against another edition
4.0
After reading the Side Characters book by this author I decided I wanted to read more of her books and bought this one. I really enjoyed The Anatomy of Prose. I like how the author doesn't tell you what to do, instead she encourages authors to find their own voice and preferences. She explains lots of craft related techniques and how to use them and then leaves it up to the reader to decide how to actually use them. I liked this approach and focus on how there isn't one good way and also how she gives information and asks questions so you can decide what is appropriate for the scene you're writing.
I think there is a lot of great information in this book and plenty of examples so you really understand the concepts she's talking about. I found it easy and pleasant to read as well. I would definitely recommend this one if you want to learn more about the writing craft and prose.
I think there is a lot of great information in this book and plenty of examples so you really understand the concepts she's talking about. I found it easy and pleasant to read as well. I would definitely recommend this one if you want to learn more about the writing craft and prose.
chanelwritesromance's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
I've been reading a lot of books on craft, and this one just didn't make the mark for me. I read the whole thing with highlighters and sticky notes in hand, expecting it to be the kind of book I pull off the shelf to reference over and over again. But in the end, I only flagged two pages. I'm sure it's a great resource for others, but it wasn't what I needed in the moment.
leighannhart's review against another edition
5.0
The best book on writing craft I’ve read.
Black comes to the table equipped with a wealth of knowledge and further demonstrates her expertise with her careful, thorough—and oftentimes humorous—explanations.
Black comes to the table equipped with a wealth of knowledge and further demonstrates her expertise with her careful, thorough—and oftentimes humorous—explanations.
reannonmuth's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! I haven't been able to find another book like it — one that delves almost exclusively into how to improve your novel on the sentence and paragraph level. Many writing books explain how to fix grammar or story structure, but this one explained in detail how to fix common mistakes in describing characters and settings, which I found extremely helpful.
I found myself taking notes through much of the book (something I rarely do). It's filled with a lot of useful and actionable tips.
The only reason I didn't give it five stars was that I wasn't a fan of the way the book was structured. I also didn't love the swearing and sarcasm (although to be fair, that did make the book a fast read).
I will definitely be recommending this book to all of my writer friends who are looking for help in self editing their book and making their sentences "sing."
I found myself taking notes through much of the book (something I rarely do). It's filled with a lot of useful and actionable tips.
The only reason I didn't give it five stars was that I wasn't a fan of the way the book was structured. I also didn't love the swearing and sarcasm (although to be fair, that did make the book a fast read).
I will definitely be recommending this book to all of my writer friends who are looking for help in self editing their book and making their sentences "sing."
valneil_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I will definitely be recommending this book to newer writers. I've done a lot of critique swaps and seen a lot of manuscripts that could benefit greatly from the tips Sacha has detailed here. I'm a little further along my writing journey so many of these tips were familiar to me, but there was enough I hadn't seen (or was approached differently) to make it a worthwhile read. Whether you're revising your first draft or on your tenth book, there's something here for everyone.
teaquinn_writes's review against another edition
4.0
I did find this book to be a little 101. It's a great book for the COMPLETE beginners, who have never written a book, and perhaps don't know much about writing a book. I personally didn't learn much, except for the last 4 steps (8-12). Most of this advice I feel you can find on the internet for free.
THAT SAID, I did enjoy reading this and all the information and advice is really good and useful, the writing style was witty and humorous, and it's a good reference guide. I will still recommend this book, especially if you're a 101 or (as I hope I am) 102 writer.
THAT SAID, I did enjoy reading this and all the information and advice is really good and useful, the writing style was witty and humorous, and it's a good reference guide. I will still recommend this book, especially if you're a 101 or (as I hope I am) 102 writer.
senjalaakso's review against another edition
5.0
Any writer or wordsmith needs to read this! I loved it. There's A LOT to learn, even more for new writers.
In fact, I recommend taking your time with this book. Let the information sink in and learn to actually use the tips and lessons in action.
In fact, I recommend taking your time with this book. Let the information sink in and learn to actually use the tips and lessons in action.
jessbookishlife's review against another edition
5.0
The life of a writer can be different for everyone.
For me, messy hair, my computer open, lots of notebooks and loose papers full of notes and information.. a cup of tea and a bottle of water... snacks! Many snacks... and now, Sacha Black's The Anatomy of Prose.
I have decided, while in a moment of reflection, that I was going to learn more about the writing world. That I was going to learn and see what I could improve in my writing.
And then, like the answer to my prayers, Sacha Black wrote this brilliant nonfiction, writing book. Thanks to the universe for aligning the stars and crossing our paths... I was able to read an ARC of this book.
You may be wondering: "But Jess, you are a Portuguese author, you write in Portuguese... wouldn't thinks be different?"
Well, it's certain that not everything can be take literally. But the thing is, all of Sacha Black's advice and tips, can be applied to any language, because it's all about prose.
Sure, in Portuguese we have dialogues structured in a different way and I could show you some examples. But that doesn't mean the tip about dialogue tags (Step 5 - 5.2 Tag Simplicity) isn't valuable, because let me tell you it was spot on!
That's just one example. Even if the words may be different, or you have grammatically different writing, comparing to English... it's about the core of prose, the art of writing.
Quoting Sacha "You've come for grammar and punctuation lessons. This is not a grammar book." And she wrote "this book as an exploration - a narrative examining a range of techniques and tools in writing."
That, ladies and gentlemen, is why I believe The Anatomy of Prose is a fantastic book that can help writers across the world and language barriers.
Plus, let's be honest, the tone of this book is amazing, funny and with this casual sounding narrative that felt like a sincere conversation between friends.
You will never be bored while reading, understanding, learning and thinking about the various tips, examples and exercises.
That been said... do I recommend this book? Of course!
If you want to learn more or even understand what you can improve in you writing, this is perfect book for you.
[Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
For me, messy hair, my computer open, lots of notebooks and loose papers full of notes and information.. a cup of tea and a bottle of water... snacks! Many snacks... and now, Sacha Black's The Anatomy of Prose.
I have decided, while in a moment of reflection, that I was going to learn more about the writing world. That I was going to learn and see what I could improve in my writing.
And then, like the answer to my prayers, Sacha Black wrote this brilliant nonfiction, writing book. Thanks to the universe for aligning the stars and crossing our paths... I was able to read an ARC of this book.
You may be wondering: "But Jess, you are a Portuguese author, you write in Portuguese... wouldn't thinks be different?"
Well, it's certain that not everything can be take literally. But the thing is, all of Sacha Black's advice and tips, can be applied to any language, because it's all about prose.
Sure, in Portuguese we have dialogues structured in a different way and I could show you some examples. But that doesn't mean the tip about dialogue tags (Step 5 - 5.2 Tag Simplicity) isn't valuable, because let me tell you it was spot on!
That's just one example. Even if the words may be different, or you have grammatically different writing, comparing to English... it's about the core of prose, the art of writing.
Quoting Sacha "You've come for grammar and punctuation lessons. This is not a grammar book." And she wrote "this book as an exploration - a narrative examining a range of techniques and tools in writing."
That, ladies and gentlemen, is why I believe The Anatomy of Prose is a fantastic book that can help writers across the world and language barriers.
Plus, let's be honest, the tone of this book is amazing, funny and with this casual sounding narrative that felt like a sincere conversation between friends.
You will never be bored while reading, understanding, learning and thinking about the various tips, examples and exercises.
That been said... do I recommend this book? Of course!
If you want to learn more or even understand what you can improve in you writing, this is perfect book for you.
[Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]