Customer Reviews

Take Joy: A Book for Writers

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It would have been worth the [$$] simply to read the excerpt quoted on the back cover of this book, where Jane Yolen defines 'saku-taku-no-ki' (the Japanese word for the instant a chick pecking on the inside and a mother peacking on the outside of an egg reach the same spot, the egg cracks open and new life emerges) and compares it to the conception of story in a writer's mind.

From ethereal and poetic words of advice meant to settle lightly on the brain and tint your thoughts with new shades of color, to concrete discussions of plot and voice (including memorable descriptions of the Bardic Voice, the Schoolboy Voice, the Boogerman Voice, and more), Ms. Yolen's writing is elegant and earthy by turns, and always seems to describe what you have known deep-down to be an essential truth but could never put into words.

I have heard Ms. Yolen talk about her writing twice, and highly recommend this book as the next best thing to sitting at the feet of this master storyteller and listening to her speak.

I have read numerous writing books, and while many offer solid, sensible advice (Writing Down the Bones, Bird by Bird), almost all focus on the pain and angst of writing. Yolen celebrates the silver lining rather than dwelling on the cloud. Yes, writing is hard work, but why do it if there is no joy? This is, by no means, just a fluffy, feel-good book. The advice is sage and easy to follow, and through it all is the invaluable reminder that you should be writing because there is nothing else you'd rather be doing.

This isn't a book about writing so much as a book about people who love to write. People who have thoughts racing through their heads of what-ifs and wouldn't-that-be-neats. I enjoyed this book because it spoke to me. One of the reasons why she writes is just to find out how a story turns out, and I have felt that too. She mentions stories that tell her about herself, and I have sensed this as well. She reminds me that you can't please everybody so you might as well please yourself. And she writes because she wants to, isn't that the only reason that will make it worthwhile? After reading this book, I felt a kinship with her. I'd love to meat this woman.

She had many clever ways to present different aspects of writing and even though I already knew the basics that she presented, her approaches made me look at simple things in a new light. This book was sweet, playful, cheerful, and still serious at the same time.

Checked this out from the library, and it wasn't far in reading that I realized that I had to get my own copy. This is a book that you will want to underline, highlight and keep out on your desk to refer to often!

My personal collection of books on writing is small. I read all I can about writing (the how-to's, the work, the life, etc.) but most all of my reading material is from the library, and I am choosy about what books I buy. This book is a must have to my personal library, and tops on my favorites list!

This is a book from a woman who LIVES writing. She has written over 250+ books! WOW! Her advice is Inspirational,Obviously Experienced, Honest, and Funny.

Great book for writers!

TAKE JOY is so good that when I bought a summer home and realized my book was hundreds of miles away, I knew I had to have a second copy. Jane Yolen, author of over 200 books gives me permission to follow my bliss, as Joseph Campbell would say. Her creativity abounds, and her words spar me on my own sideroads, jaunts and tangents. This may be about writing, but it's not just about writing. It's for anyone who aspires to live a life of passion and creativity.

Jane Yolen's book, TAKE JOY, was a delightful read. Peppered with charming vignettes, this book on writing has many uses as a "teacher's guide." There are a number of sections that can be adapted to the classroom (most appropriate for secondary school). For creative writing teachers in want of additional ideas, this slim, easy-to-read work would be a good investment.