Customer Reviews

The Writer's Book of Wisdom: 101 Rules for Mastering Your Craft

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

 

 

The title, size and cover immediately spoke to me. I noticed the author to be Steven Taylor Goldsberry, a great teacher I had at a Maui Writer's Retreat in Hawaii. I've read every word, enjoyed every visually interesting page and find it to be full of wonder and inspiration. I will keep it by my computer. I'll buy the book for my college age grandchildren, my writer friends and wannabe writers. I plan to give a copy to each of the members of my writer's group at Rice University. It's a perfect gift book for writers. It's like attending class with Steven Goldsberry, a master teaching the art of writing. Buy this book. I think you'll be very happy you did.

I have to apologize to Mr. Goldsberry. Being that I'm in college and poor, I didn't buy his book. However, when I saw it on display at Borders, I sat down and read the whole thing and took notes. It was really good. I highly recommend it, whether or not you can afford it.

The exquisite production value of the book itself sometimes detracts from reading the author's advice. This hard-covered book is slightly larger than a paper back and includes delightful modern graphics in muted pastels and expensive quality paper. Sometimes this detracts your attention from Mr. Goldsberry's message. Upon reflection, I'm glad he chose this approach, and this book will remain one of my favorite books on writing fiction (the book also includes some elements of non-fiction).

Perhaps the best comment that I can make is that I could not put the book down. It's easy to read and every third rule (there are 101 Rules) stopped my greedy reading and forced me to reflect on his advice. I would guess about 1/3 of the advice is found in other popular writing books. The remainder was new to me. Perhaps some of the rules were "old rules" recast in a new light.

The advice in this book is very practical and I am sure it will change the way you write, or at least, the way you read fiction.

MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. I've filed this under my Dewey Decimal System of "A+++".

John Dunbar

Sugar Land, TX

I've perused the shelves of Barnes & Noble many times, absolutely convinced that some day I would find a book that would give the boost I felt that I needed to become a writer. Recently, I found that book. Did it give me the boost I needed? Wow. Did it ever.

The Writer's Book of Wisdom by Steven Taylor Goldsberry put so many things into perspective for me and really helped me see things in a new light. This book is the PERFECT balance of motivational and educational, being that it is split into three sections:

1. Approach: Mainly intended to just get you motivated to start writing.

2. Language: Grammar and use of words/punctuation/etc. This is naturally my least favorite part, but some of it, I realize, I just need to know.

3. Style: I guess this would be the section that discusses finding your "voice" as a writer. This section really helped me realize how ignorant I've been on my quest for my "narrative voice", shining a new light on the entire issue.

So, in conclusion, whether you're just looking for something to get you motivated and inspired, or if you're looking for something technically educational, this book is just what you need.

101 writing rules are presented in short and straight to the point format. Each 'rule' is 1-2 pages. Fun and useful snippets of information and ideas for each chapter(rules).

The book is interesting and attractive with color and designs and on every page. This is a nice little book to have in your collection. I think it's a great little motivator, or something you'd pick up to get yourself refreshed and ready to go again. There are lots of quotes throughout the book. This features a very wide range of writing topics. Advice like 'Work in an inspiring environment, Resist distractions, Don't overuse negatives, Trust the power of your own voice, Art shows up in rewriting' -and loads more! I liked the appendix which is an evaluation guide that has questions to ask yourself about your work.

"Your manuscript should invite the reader in and constantly reward him for his time." -from Rule #99 on Submit a Professional Manuscript.

I've read this over and over again. Anyone who lives in a 'writer's world' will be able to relate to this book. From living in a vacuum to believing in your writing even when no one else does - this book will keep you going whether you are writing fiction or non-fiction. A few of my favorite chapters include: Embrace the wisdom of opposing views; Ultimately content matters more than craft; Get used to despair; Fail; Write to be great, not rich, and Trust the muse of revision. Writing is the vehicle of truth is another one that I loved. I recommend this to anyone who is in or is entering the world of serious writing.

I recently gave this book as a gift to an aspiring writer whom I've been coaching. It is packed full of things he needs to learn but which I don't have the time to explain. I later bought a copy for myself as I taught a writing course for high school students this summer. It was not particularly conducive to a classroom environment but is better suited to personal use. It will serve the beginning writer well and will be very useful to the more experienced "serious" (determined, disciplined) writer, too. If you're floundering, this isn't the source to get the juices flowing. But if you've really got something worthwhile already in the works, this can be a tremendously valuable resource!

June 13, 2008

Dear Mr. Goldsberry,

I believe you owe me $1.45 based on the cost of the sticky `flags' I used to mark, what were for me, the most useful lessons in your Writer's Book of Wisdom.

Here's my system:

Blue-Reread

Green- Great information

Purple- Commit to memory

Pink-Wow, new to me

Orange-Chisel that

Your book now bristles with color as if it were a rainbow porcupine, each quill like a sharp signpost on the road to excellence in the craft.

So while you may owe me $1.45, what I owe you is a whole lot more difficult to calculate. This is the best book on this subject I have ever read. It is easy to reference, clear, concise and best of all, beautifully written. Had I found it sooner I could perhaps have saved myself hundreds of hours and dollars spent on magazines, classes and workshops.

I can only hope that you, as a lover of good writing, will consider it payment enough that I, also a lover of good writing, will be a better writer because of you.

I understand you may be at the Maui Writer's Conference. If I do see you I would like to thank you in person.

Geared to both nonfiction and fiction writers, this collection provides inspiration and clear guidance for perfecting your skills as a writer and bringing your creativity fearlessly into the open. The 101 techniques are brush-ups that save you attending all those workshops and seminars. Worth having in your storyteller's library.

Great little book to read one rule a day for inspiration or just to think about.