Customer Reviews

265 Troubleshooting Strategies for Writers

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265 Troubleshooting Strategies presents a number of ideas to prevail over writer's block when writing non-fiction. Clouse covers areas from first drafts, rewrites, and for final revisions.

The content is clear and straight forward and many of the ideas are practical. The book is lacking because the strategies are thin and mildly repetitive. The book is also filled with far too much obvious advice such as "Have other writers read your draft to make suggestions" and "use the internet for research." The instructions on editing offer nothing that isn't available in any book on revision.

With such a large amount of books available for writing and editing, 265 Troubleshooting Strategies is left very far back in the pack. Better choices are "Getting the Words Right" by Theodore Cheney or "A Manual of Writers Tricks" by David Carroll, both of which give a far more comprehensive guide on improving your prose as well as many fresh new ideas for writing.

Packed with practical suggestions for breaking out of your 'stuck' state and finding the writing techniques that'll help to get your words flowing again.

Some of the language is a little dry - like the repeated reference to your writing "thesis" when "point" or "focus" might have done just as well - and it's clearly designed as a reference guide rather than a book you could read straight through.

That being said there's a positive and helpful emphasis on experimenting and yes trouble-shooting: pinpointing what you're getting stuck on, and looking for a writing technique that'll work for you.