Customer Reviews

Word Magic for Writers

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

She had me when she started out with alliteration - I bought this because I love wordplay - and the love of constructing wicked sentences - it sounded good, and it totally blew me away!
Although very familiar with the constructions - I had never really known all the names of them - that was interesting! It's amazing what naming the things can do for you -
I had to read the thing straight through - (yeah, I gotta go back - but it was that kind of book - it just kept pulling you further into it -
The one thing that made it hard to follow sometimes, is that the layout, the sidebars, kind of jump all over the page - not clearly delineated - or marked -so one gets three ideas going on one page, and then when you turn it, it takes a little to find where the next thread picks up - but it can be done - it's just packed with data and examples.

I'd love to see a version where it's easier to follow (each interjection having it's own page - ) also, she mentions - this is a "yayaya" - and you will find that in the next chapter" - which tends to catch your attention up and make one stumble, unless you have a really good literary dictionary with you -
But if you dare to get through it all, THEN! you can go back and re-read for complete understanding & pleasure and use -
It starts with words, and then the concepts as applied to writing get larger - (The structures within!)
It's a mega book - thoroughly enjoyable if you are a word or writing junkie - without me really trying, it totally freshened my instant view
of ads, commercials, books, writing - songs, etc.

The real problem was that I write/versify alot - (wicked sentences) - and you start reading this, and you just go into overdrive - you are in a whole different mind frame, and the pearls falling from your mouth, even in normal everyday speech, come out in wickedly constructed sentences -

So I had to take a day or 2 off, (I had business reports to write) -
to get back to mundane everyday vernacular. If you are a word addict, if you can see or feel them, their textures, colors, and auras, how to string necklaces out of them, this book was made for wallowing - you die and go to heaven or hell, and you are totally happily greedy to roll in the nirvanic exhillerating mud, while buttering your stomach and having ambrosia of the gods leaking out all over -
If you are into words and heft and forms, this is a junkie's dream.

There - that's in understandable mundane english!

I can't say enough great things about this book!! I have read essentially every book on the market in both fiction and screenwriting and this is by far the most original - no other book contains such great skills to make your writing soar! I'm so glad I found it! It really is a must have if you want to write better - no other book is like it!

This book is a must get for any writer serious about improving his/her craft. I knew some of the subjects, of course, such as metaphors, and similes, though this book explains how to make sure the comparisons you choose work. But I learned so many others, plus some of the things I do naturally, such as asyndeton and polysyndeton, which I didn't know were writing devices, were explained. That was a boon because I've been marked down in writing contests for some of these devices because the (evidently inexperienced) writer doing the judging thought they were grammatically incorrect. Now I know they are actually tools of good writing. My only negative comment is that the book isn't produced very well, i.e., binding is cracking and I fear pages will eventually fall out. Well worth it anyway.

This is as close to a complete writing course in one book as you can get. If you are trying to learn to write you need this book. With that said, it's kind of dense. As I went along I made up list of new things I learned, their definition, and an example of their use. I believe this was a good investment of my time.

How this wasn't published with a larger publisher, I will never know. This book will teach the uber-educated and the beginner alike the keys to wordsmithery. (Which is not a word, btw.)

This book contains helpful tools (word devices) that will enhance and develop any writer's craft. The author uses exercises to promote understanding of each word device. A must read for anyone interested in writing!

This might be the best writing book I've ever read, although it's taking me forever to read it. Why? On each page there are exercises. Each time I complete an exercise, I imagine I'm my main character. I like my exercise results so much that I usually end up writing a novel scene before proceeding to read the book.

I've read several other books on writing, but this one has been the most help to me. The author discusses each technique in detail, including how to use it effectively and how not to use it. Several examples from published work are included for each technique, and also one or more exercises are suggested. The examples of ordinary writing vs excellent writing show the dramatic improvement that the writing techniques can achieve. I am learning to write, working on my first two children's books, so I don't know how useful this would be for experienced writers.

A valuable addition to my arsenal to be used to pursue a creative writing class. The book, although purchased used, looks as though it just came from the publisher.

The first part of the book is like an advanced English text book, talking about Aporia and Eponym (which were new words for me), as well as Similes and Metaphors. The second part talks about techniques, but I can't comment on it because I haven't read it yet.