How to Write about Yourself (Allison & Busby Writers' Guides) [Paperback]

Alison Chisolm (Author), Brenda Courtie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 13, 1999 | Series: Allison & Busby Writers' Guides

We all have a story to tell, and this book explains in an easy-to-follow and practical manner the best way to tell it. Whether you want to write a complete autobiography or simply recount some small anecdote, it will show you how to tackle the writing and where you may get it published. This book includes advice on a wide range of approaches, including: * readers` letters * articles * fiction which draws on life experience * light autobiography * direction, structure and voice There is also a section on other formats through which your story can be told and one on how to get your story into print. This guide will help novices and experienced writers use facets of their lives to fuel new and exciting areas of writing.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alison Chisholm has had over 500 poems published in magazines, anthologies and collections. She has won numerous prizes and commendations for her work. Brenda Courtie began her writing career with a series of first-person talks for local radio and progressed to first-person articles for newspapers and magazines. She is the author of five books, including her autobiography.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Allison & Busby (September 13, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0749003677
• ISBN-13: 978-0749003678
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,472,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Could Be Useful, BUT....., October 12, 2005

By 

Tara Tainton "Author & Advocate of Sexual Equ... (www.TaraTainton.com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Write about Yourself (Allison & Busby Writers' Guides) (Paperback)

If you have never considered writing before, have never realized that daily life is the same source of material all writers refer to, or grade school never covered grammar or spelling, you could find this book useful. Truly, it is designed for the beginning amateur, or maybe the Alison & Busby Writers' Guides series is designed solely for profiting on unsuspecting readers.

If you don't know a thing about the writing business or how to begin gathering information for a potential story, you might find this book useful, but there are HUNDREDS of better references for your same beginning needs...and in a more readable, enjoyable presentation as well. THis book reads like a textbook, furthering the stereotype of the pretentious British voice.

I can deal with a book offering only basic information I consider to be common sense or even a boring one, but also being terribly out of date just isn't acceptable in this technological age. The authors even tell you what size notebook to choose, discouraging you from keeping your notes on birthday cards and purchase receipts, and mention using a word processor (a computer is mentioned only once) as difficult because it doesn't offer the ability to look at physical copies of your words for consideration. Isn't that why printers were designed?

The book briefly mentions the concept of desktop-publishing, merely as a means for self-publishing, and explains it as "high-class photocopying." Need I mention more??

If you're looking for a valuable guide on taking your life experiences and forming them into marketable creative articles, I recommend Writing from the Heart by Marjorie Holmes. Good luck in your future writing endeavors!