The Writer's Survival Guide [Hardcover]

Rachel Simon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

In this instructive and insightful celebrati on of the writing life, Simon offers ways to stay productive on a day-to-day basis, advice for navigating the publishing world, and prescriptions for overall creative happiness. '

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This is not a book about writing techniques or "markets," but rather, it is about what the hell to do with your life if you're a writer, or, what the hell to do with the non-writing parts. The book offer advice on how to organize your time so you can write, set boundaries with family members or co-workers who might secretly resent the "alone time" required to create, overcome writer's block, keep track of helpful contacts, and more. Rachel Simon, herself a published novelist, lays out her answers. And while she perhaps assumes too much naiveté on the part of her readers, the book is still practical and affirming.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Story Pr; 1st edition (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884910238
• ISBN-13: 978-1884910234
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #479,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An engrossing, compelling, and incredibly helpful read!, April 23, 2004

By 

H. Grove "Errant Dreams Reviews" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Writer's Survival Guide (Hardcover)

Most writing books try to be heavy on practical stuff--these three steps to pull yourself out of a funk. These five steps to bolster your confidence. Try one of these six things when you're suffering from writer's block. In contrast, "The Writer's Survival Guide" is rather "soft," or abstract. Yet this in no way prevents it from being helpful!

This book covers issues I haven't seen dealt with anywhere else. Where else can you find out how your friends are likely to react--good and bad--when you get your book published, and how to cope with that? If writing is still a roller coaster ride for you, rife with depressions and difficulties and confusions, then you owe it to yourself to read a copy of this book. If you still aren't sure whether you want to be a writer, or under what terms (full time? Weekends? The occasional weeknight?), then this book should be able to help you find your answer.

The writing is rich and evocative; it would be difficult to read it and not connect with what the author is telling you. Abstract concepts are conveyed in ways that apply to your everyday life and work. Ms. Simon provides interesting and surprising insights into our feelings and actions. She also takes into account both the heavily dedicated die-hard writers, and the "weekend warriors"--something that few writers do. The book is presented in a conversational and friendly tone that makes it easy for you to absorb its lessons.

So if you're still debating whether or not to be a writer; if you aren't sure how to handle the emotional rollercoaster that writing can be; or if you're having problems sitting down to write, this book could help. If you aren't sure what sort of education you need to be a writer; if you don't even know where to start; if you aren't sure how to handle criticism; or you think you've contracted that ill known as "writer's block"--this book might help. If you worry about rejection slips and wonder what success would be like, Ms. Simon can fill you in on the details.

I feel as though I should walk out on the street, find an aspiring writer, hand them my copy of the book, and make sure they read it. Right now.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like a mentor guiding me, August 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Writer's Survival Guide (Hardcover)

I found this title at the bookstore and felt I must have it. My instincts were correct. As a new writer, I have all these issues to deal with, issues I probably wouldn't have if I had never written a story, such as insecurity, worry about someone stealing your story, finding time and place to write, etc. Her book is definitely easy-reading and affirming. Reading this book was like having a mentor, guiding me through the walks of the writer's life. I highly recommend this to all novice writers.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for all writers, both aspiring and professional, March 7, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Writer's Survival Guide (Hardcover)

The Writer's Survival Guide fills a much-needed gap in the marketplace. Inspiring and comprehensive, it details every aspect of the writing life - emotional, creative, practical and professional. What's more, it provides effective solutions to many of the difficulties writers encounter. On top of all that, it's an entertaining and absorbing read - humorous, poignant and universal in its treatment of the subject matter. It is a book every writer should have in his or her library. I recommend it wholeheartedly.