Customer Reviews

The Art of Writing

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For aspiring scribes and book lovers everywhere, Robert Louis Stevenson offers a variety of thoughts on the art of writing. Currently, there are plenty of books out there that claim to speak of writing and how to go about it. The irony is that often you've never heard of these writers who proclaim to know the craft so well. That isn't the case here, as every school child knows of Treasure Island. Stevenson's success as a writer is one we can all hope to attain for ourselves.

In these essays, Stevenson gives advice on a variety of subjects, ranging from inspiration and direction to the technical methods of writing. He mentions the basic tools of writing: word choice, rhythm in verse and prose, plotting and the ever-hard to define 'writing style'. At one point Stevenson launches into a lecture on the morality of writing - that is, the potential for good that literature has, and the responsibility that comes with that power.

Although I haven't read many books on 'how' to write, I do plan on remembering the advice Stevenson mentions here, and applying those lessons to my own writing when possible. He doesn't speak too long on the creative process of Treasure Island, but the insight he provides is pretty good. The Art of Writing is a little-known diamond. I think it would benefit anyone who reads it.