Easy Reading Writing: Easy Reading about Writing Easy Reading [Paperback]

Peter Abresch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0595270956 | ISBN-13: 978-0595270958

The problem with books on writing is that they are often difficult to read. Does that sound right? Shouldn't good writing be easy to read? And if we are trying to teach easy reading writing, shouldn't our books on writing be easy reading?Here's the challenge.Slap an eye on any page of Easy Reading Writing, or browse the book. If you have trouble reading anything, hey, place it back on the shelf. It means I dont know what Im talking about.Easy Reading Writing is full of examples, humorous and irrelevant, yet explain the fine points of building believable plots, characters that breathe, and effective sentences, paragraphs, chapters that pass through the reader's eye as smoothly as a film strip passes through a movie projector.Our job is not to tell a story, but to use the words that will trigger the memory and life experiences of our readers, so they will build our world inside their heads.Our writing must never be just good enough. Either it's the best we can make it or it's not. There is no backdoor to effective writing.Better to read light Easy Reading Writing than to curse the darkness of rejections.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Novelist Abresch (Bloody Bonsai), who has been writing fiction for 30 years, believes that all written texts, whether fiction or nonfiction, should be easy reading. In his own book on writing, he dismisses most writing manuals as being too hard to read, presumably referring to William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White's The Elements of Style and Kate L. Turabian's Manual for Writers, often criticized for their density. Assuming no knowledge of the writing process or the publishing industry, Abresch discusses how new or minimally published novelists get published, usually with small presses, and wisely counsels writers to get reviewed wherever and whenever possible. He also recommends hiring a copy editor citing his own experience and advocates conventions for networking. In general, Abresch's writing is laden with chatty, sometimes self-indulgent humor and some possibly disingenuous remarks which makes for easy reading if you share his sense of humor. Otherwise, it encourages skimming. All things considered, this should not be your library's only title on this topic. Robert Moore, Framingham, MA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Peter E. Abresch is the author of the James P. Dandy Elderhostel Mysteries, Bloody Bonsai, Killing Thyme, Tip A Canoe, Painted Lady, and Sheep In Wolf's Clothing. He authors an online fiction writing technique column called BookMarc, articles in Arizona Authors Association Newsletter, holds writing seminars, and teaches fiction writing at the Smithsonian Institute.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: IUniverse (February 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595270956
• ISBN-13: 978-0595270958
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #742,859 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Super Book for Novice or Pro, September 9, 2001

By 

David Soper (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Easy Reading Writing: Easy Reading about Writing Easy Reading (Paperback)

As a fledgling writer, I have read more than a dozen books on writing. This one is, by far, the best. The text is clear (and amusing)and the goal an excellent one. The reader who puts thise techniques in practice will materially enhance their chances for publication. The examples make it easy to see the author's point. I recommend this book without reservation.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Way to Achieve a Serious Piece of Work, September 2, 2008

By 

Thomas H. Franz III - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Easy Reading Writing: Easy Reading about Writing Easy Reading (Paperback)

"EASY READING WRITING" by Peter E. Abresch This IS easy reading about writing easy reading (You might want to read that again). The author does a 'funominally' humorous and entertaining job in teaching a very serious subject. He successfully enables the reader to understand the tricks and ploys to keep another reader personally involved in a Fiction Story or
(a not-so-put-down-able-type book).

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for anyone who writes, August 9, 2008

By 

D. Sasselov (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Easy Reading Writing: Easy Reading about Writing Easy Reading (Paperback)

I thought I knew all about writing - as a Ph.D. you get to write a lot. But reading Abresch's book opened my eyes, and I hope - improved my prose. He is a great teacher! His book is so easy to read, you'd love you read it even if you never write one yourself.