Customer Reviews

Accidental Magic: The Wizard's Techniques for Writing Words Worth 1,000 Pictures

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With techniques to surprise Broca, Frosting, Franking, Suessing and Frameline Magnetism, Roy Williams and 106 graduates of The Wizard Academy set out in this unique book to prove that words are worth 1,000 pictures. On one side of the page a photograph, a "window through which we can peer into another world", on the other a literary snapshot incorporating the techniques required to imprint vivid mental imagery. "The magic in the photographs is accidental but the magic in the word intentional." .

How many gobbletygooks, gimmicks and gizmoes have you tried to use to improve your writing ability? Do you know yet how to remove the black words from your copy? If not pick up your copy of this unique book right away. Not only do you get to enjoy this exceptional quality book, but all proceeds of this book go to help the people of Guatemala.

Let me begin by saying that I am a HUGE fan of the Wizard of Ads trilogy. I found them inspirational, educational, and fascinating to read. I noticed a drastic improvement in my writing techniques because of them. This book, however, I did not enjoy very much. The opening chapters are reprints of ones in the previous books followed by pages of photos with submitted stories behind them. While some of the captions were great to read, I found myself quickly bored and never quite made it to the end. I purchased the book under the assumption that it was in same genre of the trilogy rather than a coffee table book- which, admittedly was my mistake- but it just wasn't for me. On a positive note, having an example of the techniques never hurt anyone; and all the proceeds go to charity.

For years I too toiled in the rank and file of the Public School system to learn to write with clarity, proper grammar, and the ability to grab my readers by their collective eyeballs and yank them into my thoughts. The techniques described in this magnificent compilation of photographs, and an authors description of each, serve as 'case studies' for great writing using the same techniques the book elaborates at the beginning. Could have used this my sophomore year...glad it is here today.

I rescue dogs. I normally do o.k. in finding good homes but I had to do better when I got up to 9 and could not find homes for them. I bought this book. Studied the technique. Now I have families fighting over who gets my dogs. Great. It's all in the presentation. These are examples.

We each harbour amazing talents, including the ability to write as profoundly as the contributing authors to Accidental Magic. Roy H. Williams is a gifted teacher, who shows us how to reveal this talent, and how to apply communications techniques to create written word magic. This is truly a delightful book - at home on the coffee table and in corporate libraries. Both instructional and entertaining, I guarantee one read won't be enough. How I wish I knew Roy Williams, or read his books 40 years ago!

I enjoyed this book and it helped me immensely. I've started Frosting and Seussing my blog posts. I forsee a book in my future.

Get this book.

A rambling pastiche with little value to the serious writer. The thought of trees being sacrificed to make the paper in this book is saddening.

One page at a time - the only way to read this book. This is not a sit down and read-all-the-way-through book because if you do you will miss this point. Accidental Magic happens when we stretch our understanding to the next level - that takes time, thought, practice, and fortitude. Roy Williams brings his cerebral brilliance to life and invites former students and readers along for the ride at the same time. [...]

Good book. First section is a review of Roy Williams first three books. The creative writing section is good for expanding one's concept of creative writing.

If you haven't read a book by the Wizard yet, you really should. Once you start reading you'll never want to stop. It covers some of the concepts that exist in the other Wizard of Ads books such as "Seussing" "Being Monet" and "Frosting" as well as more concepts and then a plethora of "literary snapshots" to accompany black and white photographs. It is not only another book I wouldn't want to live without for information purposes but it also manages to stir up creativity and emotions through the writing. It also reminds me of a magazine I once had a subscription to, The Sun....