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jellogirl2010's review against another edition
5.0
I think this is a book every aspiring young writer NEEDS to read. It gave me insights I've forgotten about and it managed to inspire me again when I've been bogged down by my "real life" problems. Sometimes you just need the good advice of others who have gone before you and this was a treasure trove of good advice from things I've done my whole life (carrying a notebook) to being okay with failure (something that is not an option with me) and negative criticism (a thing my generation HATES).
I am going to recommend this book to all my fellow writers from now on and maybe even read it again eventually.
I am going to recommend this book to all my fellow writers from now on and maybe even read it again eventually.
ajitate's review against another edition
5.0
So wise, so wise.
This book is the BOMB. And I should know as I have more than a shelf full of books on writing, fiction, style, editing etc etc.
This book will be started again right after I finish it and I will continue to read a few of the pithy 'letters' every day. It is inspiring and to the point. High relevance with large doses of realism.
Whether you are a young or an old writer: get thee a copy.
This book is the BOMB. And I should know as I have more than a shelf full of books on writing, fiction, style, editing etc etc.
This book will be started again right after I finish it and I will continue to read a few of the pithy 'letters' every day. It is inspiring and to the point. High relevance with large doses of realism.
Whether you are a young or an old writer: get thee a copy.
andyreadsfantasy's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audiobook.
This was a short and entertaining book. Nothing too deep, just quick thoughts on writing.
This was a short and entertaining book. Nothing too deep, just quick thoughts on writing.
debi_g's review against another edition
5.0
Reading this book feels like taking a lecture class from a master orator. Some sessions are abbreviated, yet packed with ideas to consider and apply. McCann offers brief yet meaningful, practical yet artfully stated advice on topics such as taking criticism, persevering, reading broadly, the relative insignificance of plot, and routes to develop voice.
If I were planning an awards ceremony for the chapters of this book, "Who What Where How and Why" would win in the category of Most Applicable Wisdom for Fiction Writers, "The Terror of the White Page" would win Best Answer to a Frequently Asked Question by Any Would-Be Writer, and "There Are No Rules" would win Most Handy Explanation for Any Student Writer.
As is apparent, given my award titles, I have to work on concision because "Prose should be as well written as poetry. Every word matters."
If I were planning an awards ceremony for the chapters of this book, "Who What Where How and Why" would win in the category of Most Applicable Wisdom for Fiction Writers, "The Terror of the White Page" would win Best Answer to a Frequently Asked Question by Any Would-Be Writer, and "There Are No Rules" would win Most Handy Explanation for Any Student Writer.
As is apparent, given my award titles, I have to work on concision because "Prose should be as well written as poetry. Every word matters."
smalefowles's review against another edition
2.0
Read for my writing book club. Ugh.
This is essentially a collection of annotated quotations. Its primary virtue is that most of the quotations are well-chosen, but I imagine one could just google "quotations about writing" and find most of them.
Certainly have no interest in this author's actual novels now. If all of his best words are someone else's words, why would I bother?
This is essentially a collection of annotated quotations. Its primary virtue is that most of the quotations are well-chosen, but I imagine one could just google "quotations about writing" and find most of them.
Certainly have no interest in this author's actual novels now. If all of his best words are someone else's words, why would I bother?
elnechnntt's review against another edition
5.0
Immensely uplifting & motivational. Similar to Steven Pressfield’s ‘Do The Work’ but specifically for writers. A quick, stylised pace means this book won’t take you long to read but it will be one you come back to again and again for some of the beautiful gold nuggets contained within.
This is going to be kept on my desk, ready to hand, for the moments of writing need.
This is going to be kept on my desk, ready to hand, for the moments of writing need.
a_bloom's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
It's so funny and inspiring and if I wasn't a good Samaritan I'd steal a copy from the library (but I guess I'll just have to add it to my book list). It's the type of book that's good for a quick pick-me-up and I can see myself rereading it anytime I'm burnt out or frustrated or procrastinating from a story. AND A FANTASTIC LINGISTIC VOICE OML!!!!
oatylime's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
3.0
I skimmed some of the middle content
Interesting perspectives on why one writes. A good launching pad to get deeper on what writing you want to do, but overall feels high level.
Interesting perspectives on why one writes. A good launching pad to get deeper on what writing you want to do, but overall feels high level.
sofiacostalima's review against another edition
As dicas são úteis e interessantes, algumas já estão demasiado batidas para mim, mas para quem nunca escreveu um livro ou para quem tem pouca experiência de escrita e quer melhorar isso é uma leitura interessante.
7anooch's review against another edition
4.0
I read/listen to stuff like this to convince myself to write. Maybe one day it would work.