Customer Reviews

Finding Your Writer's Voice: A Guide to Creative Fiction

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought "Finding your writer's voice" by Thaisa Frank and Dorothy Wall together with "Finding your voice" by Les Edgerton. I have to say that the books do complement each other. I did read the book by Les Edgerton first and enjoyed this so much that it was impossible not to compare. "Finding your writer's voice" is a no nonsense book. It delivers the message pretty straight. It has good balance between theory and practical exercises. It's also filled with many examples from both writers and from their students or other famous writers. In the beginning the book came off as somewhat New Age-like to me in the way they talk about voice. But surpassing that, it's a very interesting and educational read. After finishing Les Edgerton's book, I started directly on this one. That was a bit of a cold shower after reading a, at times, quite humorous book about voice and the craft of writing. The somewhat dark colored pages of "Finding your writer's voice," the not really inspiring layout and the lack of knowing who the "I" in each and every different part of the book is (Thaisa Frank or Dorothy Wall) made it at times a bit of a struggle to finish the book. But in the end I have to say, it's well worth it in doing so. Alongside "Finding your voice" Thaisa Frank's and Dorothy Wall's "Finding your writer's voice" is spot on finding that unique voice. Getting you to write, and making sure editors will have a serious interest in your work.

The fine pitch of this book makes it a must read for any writer. The book has many exercises and insights. Wall is a writing consultant as well as a writer and the book reflects a solid sense of how to put the books' insights into practice and yet retain the individual writer's lyricism. I highly recommend it.

This is a book for those who wish to practice and improve their writing creativity. There are excercises the authors take you through step by step building the skills to find and develop your own creative voice.

I have found myself teaching writing Ð or, rather, teaching ghost-writing Ð a great deal lately. The art of ghost-writing is listening and channelling: capturing the "author's" voice well enough that the text on the page sounds more like their true core than their own spoken voice.

You can also do this for yourself. That's what Thaisa Frank and Dorothy Wall teach, in pithy exercises. I have used this book, and I find that I keep recommending it to aspiring writers and ghosts... as a way to jump-start the listening process.

Why do I "only" give it an 8? I guess I am a bit disheartened that a book like this is necessary. Making your voice strong... so that it even comes through when you write... should be a natural gift, something we can all count on. Those who feel shy about writing, online or on a page, will find a great deal of value here.

For a used book it is in fairly good condition. The pages are yellow with time, however I can get by that. The authors come highly recommended so even if the page had been tattered and torn I would still read it and I feel like it is going to improve my writing greatly.