Help! For Writers: 210 Solutions to the Problems Every Writer Faces [Hardcover]

Roy Peter Clark (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 2011

The craft of writing offers countless potential problems: The story is too long; the story's too short; revising presents a huge hurdle; writer's block is rearing its ugly head.

In HELP! FOR WRITERS, Roy Peter Clark presents an "owner's manual" for writers, outlining the seven steps of the writing process, and addressing the 21 most urgent problems that writers face. In his trademark engaging and entertaining style, Clark offers ten short solutions to each problem. Out of ideas? Read posters, billboards, and graffiti. Can't bear to edit yourself? Watch the deleted scenes feature of a DVD, and ask yourself why those scenes were left on the cutting-room floor. HELP! FOR WRITERS offers 210 strategies to guide writers to success.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Glamour of Grammar:

"A grammar manual for the 21^st century--a little more earthy, a little more relaxed. A welcome addition to the bookshelf of anyone who cares about language." (Ammon Shea, New York Times Book Review)

"A fine common-sense guide to the proper use of language." (Barbara Fisher, Boston Globe)

"A streamlined, accessible, witty book...[Clark] is a coach rather than a scold, encouraging readers to 'live inside the language.'" (Colette Bancroft, St. Petersburg Times)

"An engaging and witty exploration of the shifting rules of English grammar...Clark shows breathtaking knowledge of how language is used in the real world and a passionate commitment to helping writers make good choices." (Chuck Leddy, Minneapolis Star Tribune)

"Who knew that a discussion of grammar could induce laughter? This is an eminently readable, extremely enjoyable guide that readers will find highly useful on their path to development, not just as writers, but as readers." (Publishers Weekly)

"[Roy Peter] Clark takes readers through a well-paced presentation...he conveys the magic that is to be found in English, in its ever active evolution." (Margaret Heilbrun, Library Journal)

"A wealth of practical advice delivered with a welcome side of gentle reassurance, Roy Peter Clark's Help! For Writers breaks the writing process down into seven steps, spotlighting 21 problems that befall writers along the way and addressing them with 210 solutions. No matter where you get stuck, dip into this book and you'll find tips and tricks to get yourself moving again -- all accompanied by the humor, wit and cheerful sympathy that have made Clark one of the country's most beloved and effective writing teachers." (Jason Fry, blogger, Reinventing the Newsroom) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Roy Peter Clark is vice president and senior scholar at The Poynter Institute, one of the most prestigious schools for journalists in the world. He has taught writing at every level--from schoolchildren Pulitzer Prize winners--for more than thirty years, and has spoken about the writer's craft on The Oprah Winfrey Show, and NPR and at news organizations from the New York Times to The Sowetan in South Africa. A writer who teaches and a teacher who writes, he has authored or edited fifteen books about writing and journalism, including Writing Tools and The Glamour of Grammar. He lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1 edition (September 21, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316126713
• ISBN-13: 978-0316126717
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #398,260 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Roy Peter Clark has been called "America's writing coach" as his stated mission is to help create "a nation of writers." Since 1977 he has taught writing to small children and to Pulitzer winning authors from his mother ship, The Poynter Institute, a school for journalism and democracy in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is the author or editor of 17 books on writing, language, and journalism. The latest, all published by Little, Brown, are "Writing Tools," "The Glamour of Grammar," and "Help! for Writers," which is now also a mobile app. His work has been featured on the Today Show, NPR, and the Oprah Winfrey Show. More than a million of his writing podcasts have been downloaded on iTunesU. On five occasions he has served as a Pulitzer juror and twice has chaired the jury on nonfiction books. His honors include induction in the Features Hall of Fame, an honorary degree from Goucher College, and a stint at Vassar College as Starr Writer-in-Residence. His next book, due out in 2013, is "How to Write Short: Word Craft for Fast Times."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Less wonderful than his first two books January 11, 2012

By J. Schimel

Format:Hardcover

"Writing Tools" was brilliant--an essential for everyone who wants to write seriously. I reread it regularly and I use ideas from it in my own work and teaching. I thought "The Glamour of Grammar" was also excellent--a clear voice and insights that can elevate your writing. I found "Help! for Writers" less wonderful than those two books. Maybe because it covers a lot of the same ground as "Writing Tools," but perhaps by covering 210 items instead of 50, many entries are shorter and seemed shallower; or perhaps, I'd already gotten the points from his other books. Considering how wonderful Clark's first books are, however, being "less wonderful" still leaves this head-and-shoulders above most other guides for writers. The information is clear, valuable, and fun to read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars For Everyone Who Suffers from Writer's Block September 29, 2011

By Sheri Newton

Format:Hardcover

Help! for Writers by Roy Peter Clark is an essential tool for writers to use when working on a project, or trying to work on one and experiencing some form of writer's block. If you're a writer, this book should be on your desk or in your bookshelf.

Help! for Writers has 210 different problems and solutions to writing. If you're a writer, you know that many things can "block" you from doing what you should be doing - writing. You might not have an idea to write about, you might be bad with deadlines, or you might be experiencing many other things that happen when trying to write. This book has solutions to most of the problems that writers experience when writing, so if you're stuck and unable to write, just grab this book and try out some of the ideas suggested to get you writing again.

Overall, I think that this book is a must read for every writer. Roy Peter Clark gives many great ideas on getting inspiration to write, and how to overcome the dreaded writer's block. This book should really be on the desk, or in the bookshelf of every writer's workspace. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Help! for Writers, Little, Brown and Company, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical advice for writers of all levels September 28, 2011

By M. Lapus VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I gravitate towards books on writing and grammar in the hope that I'll become a better writer and reduce the tension and procrastination that often characterize a major deadline. Unfortunately, while I tend to be optimistic about improving my writing, much as I tend to look for the latest fitness books in the hope that this will encourage me to "be more disciplined and healthier", my follow through often falls short.

If you write and have reached the point where you feel ready to show your work to friends and critics, I know that you will benefit from the advice that Roy Clark offers above.

If you are still "working on" your writing, Help! For Writers provides practical advice and a technical approach to writing and thinking about writing. When writing and editing, we try to pare our language down to the essentials, much the way that artists, creatives, and even lawyers reduce their ideas to the essential elements. Clark suggests specific ways to do this, to reduce the unnecessary parts.

I'm a timid writer. I tend towards putting things away, disappointed by the first draft. But chapter 11 "My early drafts are littered with cliches" helped me put things in perspective. The advice encourages us to realize that even mistakes and weaknesses can be used to bring us closer to our writing goals. Clark encourages clear thinking and careful use of language directly and through his tips and exercises.

While some books target a specific goal, such as writing a screenplay or a novel in several steps or using certain structures, Help! For Writers points out that "the writer does not have to get all Gothic to build cathedrals of words. On many occasions, the holy trinity of beginning, middle, and end will get the job done...." Clark has gentle suggestions to help look at our problems and roadblocks and learn from them. Clark gives us examples from other writers which made the concepts concrete. Help! For Writers encourages us to write and gives specific and practical advice geared towards getting us to keep writing and to become better writers.

ISBN-10: 0316126713 - Hardcover $22.99
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (September 21, 2011), 304 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher. Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars full of good, practical tips that can help writers of ALL types! February 24, 2012

By MSEreads

Format:Hardcover

This easily laid out text covers tips for writing from "Getting Started" to "Finding Focus" to "Building a Draft", and all the way to the final chapter, "Keeping the Faith." Each of seven chapters is broken into three subsections that key in on specific topics to help a writer move along in the right direction. This starts with the basics like finding ideas in everyday situations, researching, and organizing ideas and research. Next the author directs focus to beginning, looking for the right language, then building a draft. Once you are into the piece you need to assess your progress and determine how to meet your deadlines. Clark address 'sagging' middles and getting the ending right. Finally you get to learn to accept criticism, improve by revising and editing. The author gives tips to get around writer's block and gives encouragement to `keep the faith.'

The style of this book is engaging and easy to follow. I had marked a good half dozen tips before I was halfway through the book. I particularly liked the section on looking for language, finding fitting words and pacing by the use of sentence structure. Also I liked the suggestions on defining the ending and then working towards that with the beginning and middle. Sort of backing into the story from the desired result. I know that not everyone writes that way as many authors are "pansters" and say how the characters lead them in the story. But working to a goal makes sense to me.

I picked this to read as I was sure I could get some tips from it. I don't write fiction although I do write legal briefs or memoranda now and then and there were tips applicable for that. Also I write reviews and I found tips and ideas that help for review writing too.... I recommend this book to anyone who writes no matter the genre or whether you write for fun or professionally. Sorry I'm not giving this one away since it's one I can keep on the shelf and use now and again. Read more ›