Customer Reviews

Now Write! Nonfiction: Memoir, Journalism and Creative Nonfiction Exercises from Today's Best Writers

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wonderfully organized/edited by Ms. Ellis and truly inspirational. Each person will find something for him/herself within the writing exercises. Each exercise stands on its own so one can pick and choose or read cover to cover--either way, it will get the creative juices flowing. Two of my personal favorites were Nestor's "Make Your Own White Album" involving a series of mini-essays and Singer's "Landscape and Memory", appealing to my own quirky, rock n' roll past experiences and love of nature and serenity, respectively. The breadth and depth of the writing exercises are truly awe-inspiring. It should be required text for every aspiring creative non-fiction writer. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Sherry Ellis' "NOW WRITE!" is very simply the tool I have long needed to explain and teach me the CRAFT of authoring a book. Talented master authors such as best-selling author Gay Talese, and Pulitzer prize winner John Matteson, explain the ART of writing a book.
Both of Ms Ellis' "WRITE NOW!",books have bolstered my knowledge and confidence. I am now writing with immensly renewed vigor with visions of success!. THUMBS UP!!

If you need some incentive to write, this book is great. It gives you tips from many different nonfiction writers. There are exercises to complete. It's great for sparking your imagination.

I bought this book hoping to be inspired to find exercises or prompts about writing nonfiction. However, 99% of the exercises in this book relate to MEMOIR writing, not other nonfiction. I really regret having bought this book because it's not at all what I hoped for or expected. If you are into writing memoirs, then this book is for you. Natter on about your life to your heart's content; think of smells and tastes and memories related to various times in your life. If you are not interested in writing memoirs or self-revelatory blogs or personal blather of some other sort, don't waste your time or money.

This book's setup is very simple: a bunch of different professional nonfiction writers, each submitting an exercise and a blurb about the specific feature they're highlighting, everything from creating a sense of place, wrestling with the truth to revision and outlining--pretty much every facet of the craft.

The exercises are pure gold. I've used the "create your own White Album" with incredible success in classes I teach, and it is an invaluable resource for writing teachers. Teaching essay of place, this book offers a number of exercises I can use or tweak to connect with my assignment.

Even for non-writing-teachers, this book is a goldmine of inspiration, springboards and craft. The exercises are self-explanatory, isolated enough that you are almost invited to jump around, pick and choose, experiment and play.

If you write, at all, this book belongs on your shelf.
No, not on your shelf, I'm sorry. It belongs, well thumbed, on your desk.

This is an unbelivable source of ideas and exercises to get anyone's creative juices flowing. The sheer amount and variety is marvelous. Famous published authors provide endless strategies for getting your words on paper. I was amazed to learn how so many of these well known people would share their own methods. Everything from using photographs, art museum visits. your first kitchen or viewing the world through a one inch window delighted and inspired me. It's hard to imagine that one wouldn't find the spark or familiar often overlooked detail to get them writing after reading this book. For a teacher it could be the ultimate source for lesson plans. I would highly recommend it for all who write or wish to write non fiction in all forms.

This book gave so many helpful hints and tips. It works for all types of writing I create a lot of documentation for work and although I'm not writing professionally the tips help get me through my mental blocks.

I've purchased this book for friends that want to write non fiction books.