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The Art of Nonfiction: A Guide for Writers and Readers by Peter Schwartz, Ayn Rand, Robert Mayhew
annemariewellswriter's review against another edition
1.0
It took me a long time to get through this book mostly because, and I didn't know this before, Ayn Rand is kind of a dick.
In one breath, she advises writers to not use pejorative language and to be polite with their words if they are writing a review of a work with which they disagree. In the next breath, she accuses liberal writers of using confusing language in order to hide their evil beliefs that support dictatorship. She belittles individuals who use marijuana. She gives examples of other writers' work and then says why it isn't good writing, in very impolite ways.
This book was put together after Rand's death from notes from workshops and classes she organized. Based on the examples used, and the way the book is structured, it does not appear that Rand wanted to help anyone. It appears she wanted to further inflate her own ego. It was difficult for me to get past her self-indulgence to find helpful tidbits that are found in practically every other writing guide I've ever read.
Lastly, she wrote that you shouldn't attempt to write on a subject that you do not know about, but she clearly did not understand poetry since she wrote "Poems without rhymes are neither prose nor poetry. They are nothing." No, Ayn Rand. Just, no.
In one breath, she advises writers to not use pejorative language and to be polite with their words if they are writing a review of a work with which they disagree. In the next breath, she accuses liberal writers of using confusing language in order to hide their evil beliefs that support dictatorship. She belittles individuals who use marijuana. She gives examples of other writers' work and then says why it isn't good writing, in very impolite ways.
This book was put together after Rand's death from notes from workshops and classes she organized. Based on the examples used, and the way the book is structured, it does not appear that Rand wanted to help anyone. It appears she wanted to further inflate her own ego. It was difficult for me to get past her self-indulgence to find helpful tidbits that are found in practically every other writing guide I've ever read.
Lastly, she wrote that you shouldn't attempt to write on a subject that you do not know about, but she clearly did not understand poetry since she wrote "Poems without rhymes are neither prose nor poetry. They are nothing." No, Ayn Rand. Just, no.
rutajwaha's review against another edition
5.0
In this slim volume, Ayn Rand de-mysticizes writing and maintains that writing is a rational sphere governed by rationally identifiable principles.
She says, "What you need for nonfiction writing is what you need for life in general: an orderly method of thinking.”
She goes on to provide a clear guide to the process of writing from choosing a subject and theme to creating an outline, first draft, and editing.
One of the most interesting parts was her psychological analysis on the different roles played by the conscious mind and the subconscious in the process of writing i.e writing under the direction of the subconscious and then later consciously edit it. Also, how thinking objectively can help in problem-solving and performing complex tasks i.e by considering the epistemology and psycho-epistemology aspects of the mind.
A short and quite insightful book that will help one become a better thinker and hence a better writer.
She says, "What you need for nonfiction writing is what you need for life in general: an orderly method of thinking.”
She goes on to provide a clear guide to the process of writing from choosing a subject and theme to creating an outline, first draft, and editing.
One of the most interesting parts was her psychological analysis on the different roles played by the conscious mind and the subconscious in the process of writing i.e writing under the direction of the subconscious and then later consciously edit it. Also, how thinking objectively can help in problem-solving and performing complex tasks i.e by considering the epistemology and psycho-epistemology aspects of the mind.
A short and quite insightful book that will help one become a better thinker and hence a better writer.
annemariewellswriter's review against another edition
1.0
It took me a long time to get through this book mostly because, and I didn't know this before, Ayn Rand is kind of a dick.
In one breath, she advises writers to not use pejorative language and to be polite with their words if they are writing a review of a work with which they disagree. In the next breath, she accuses liberal writers of using confusing language in order to hide their evil beliefs that support dictatorship. She belittles individuals who use marijuana. She gives examples of other writers' work and then says why it isn't good writing, in very impolite ways.
This book was put together after Rand's death from notes from workshops and classes she organized. Based on the examples used, and the way the book is structured, it does not appear that Rand wanted to help anyone. It appears she wanted to further inflate her own ego. It was difficult for me to get past her self-indulgence to find helpful tidbits that are found in practically every other writing guide I've ever read.
Lastly, she wrote that you shouldn't attempt to write on a subject that you do not know about, but she clearly did not understand poetry since she wrote "Poems without rhymes are neither prose nor poetry. They are nothing." No, Ayn Rand. Just, no.
In one breath, she advises writers to not use pejorative language and to be polite with their words if they are writing a review of a work with which they disagree. In the next breath, she accuses liberal writers of using confusing language in order to hide their evil beliefs that support dictatorship. She belittles individuals who use marijuana. She gives examples of other writers' work and then says why it isn't good writing, in very impolite ways.
This book was put together after Rand's death from notes from workshops and classes she organized. Based on the examples used, and the way the book is structured, it does not appear that Rand wanted to help anyone. It appears she wanted to further inflate her own ego. It was difficult for me to get past her self-indulgence to find helpful tidbits that are found in practically every other writing guide I've ever read.
Lastly, she wrote that you shouldn't attempt to write on a subject that you do not know about, but she clearly did not understand poetry since she wrote "Poems without rhymes are neither prose nor poetry. They are nothing." No, Ayn Rand. Just, no.
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