Writing Brave and Free: Encouraging Words for People Who Want to Start Writing [Paperback]

Ted Kooser (Author), Steve Cox (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2006

Sometimes setting pen to paper requires bravery, and writing well means breaking free of the rules learned in school. Liberating and emboldening the beginning writer are the goals of Ted Kooser and Steve Cox in this spirited book of practical wisdom that brings to bear decades of invaluable experience in writing, teaching, editing, and publishing.

Unlike “how to write” books that dwell on the angst and the agony of the trade, Writing Brave and Free is upbeat and accessible. The focus here is the work itself: how to get started and how to keep going, and never is heard a discouraging word such as “no,” “not,” or “never.” Because of the wealth of their experience, the authors can offer the sort of practical publishing advice that novices need and yet rarely find. Organized in brief, user-friendly chapters—on everything from sensory details to a work environment, from creating suspense to revising and taking criticism—the book allows aspiring (and practicing) writers to dip in anywhere and find something of value.

(20060515)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“What a treasure to have a second how-to book of this caliber enter the world for developing writers. . . . [T]his is a practical, down-to-earth, advice-driven collection of smart, unpretentious chapters on the work of becoming a writer. . . . The section on self-publishing and electronic publishing will be especially important to today’s younger writers. . . . The greatest strength of this book is its friendly, don’t-be-afraid-we’ll-help-you tone, a must for people who are just beginning their writing endeavors. . . . [This] will be an essential tool for anyone considering the adventure of writing.” —Anne-Marie Oomen, ForeWord

(Anne-Marie Oomen ForeWord 20060228)

"One of the most down-to-earth, user-friendly texts I''ve seen."—Erika Dreifus, Writer

(Erika Dreifus Writer 20061201)

“If you’ve yearned for the courage to put pen to paper, or hands to keyboard, after reading Writing Brave and Free, you probably will.”—Marge Pellegrino, Tucson Weekly

(Marge Pellegrino Tucson Weekly )

"These two are a pair of crafty old uncles who anticipate your writing dilemmas and offer you examples of how they and others have resolved them. While they''d never be so bold as to tell you what to do, they''ll politely steer you along the proper path."—Arizona Daily Star

(Arizona Daily Star )

"Practical and upbeat advice."—UU World

(UU World )

“The gentle, conversational voice of team Kooser and Cox offers courage and wisdom to new writers. You can do it, they say, we know you can, and we’re here to show you how. Practical and inspirational, they lead writers to the pleasures of shaping, to the surprising stories that no one else can write, to expeditions into the deep-woods territory of memory, and to demystification of the publishing process. ‘The writer’s goal,’ our coaches say, ‘is to light up the sky.’ They have practiced what they preach. Writing Brave and Free is a liberating, illuminating guide.”—Meg Files, author, and chair of the English Department at Pima Community College

(Meg Files )

About the Author

Ted Kooser, the nation’s Poet Laureate and winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry, is a professor of English at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. In addition to his many volumes of poetry, he is the author of Local Wonders: Seasons in the Bohemian Alps and The Poetry Home Repair Manual: Practical Advice for Beginning Poets, both available from the University of Nebraska Press. Steve Cox, a lifelong editor and publisher, is now a freelance writer and the director emeritus of the University of Arizona Press.

Product Details

• Paperback: 178 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books; 1 edition (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803278322
• ISBN-13: 978-0803278325
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #233,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ted Kooser was the United States Poet Laureate from 2004 to 2006 and won a Pulitzer Prize for his book of poems DELIGHTS AND SHADOWS. He is the author of twelve full-length volumes of poetry and several books of nonfiction, and his work has appeared in many periodicals. This is his first children's book. He lives in Garland, Nebraska.Barry Root has illustrated many books for children, including THE CAT WHO LIKED POTATO SOUP by Terry Farish and THE BIRTHDAY TREE by Paul Fleischman. He lives in Quarryville, Pennsylvania.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who says you can't write?, March 26, 2007

By 

Connie S. Carson-Rourke - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Writing Brave and Free: Encouraging Words for People Who Want to Start Writing (Paperback)

This is not your every day how-to book about writing. Nor is it a writing text book. It's a solid, easy to follow guide to get you writing after all the years of saying you wish you could. It won't guarantee you'll be published. But it will give you realistic suggestions that if followed will help you improve your writing.
Co-author Ted Kooser follows his own advice: he communicates. To Kooser, all writing is communication and if it's poorly written communication fails. Kooser is a former Poet Laureate and winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. He is a professor of English at the University of Nebraska--Lincoln. Joining Kooser is Steve Cox who is an editor, publisher, freelance writer and director emeritus of the University of Arizona Press.
The 177 pages of the book are full of useable information for any writer--published or unpublished. Nine sections cover every aspect of writing from "What Do You Know?" to "Copyright, Libel and Invasion of Privacy."
Composition teachers will shudder at the section entitled: "Rules? We Don' Need No Stinkin' Rules!" Kooser and Cox quote author Elmore Leonard: "If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can't allow what we learned in English to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative."
Aaagh! Miss Spencer who taught Comp 101 would have a coronary!
"Many writers have been tempted to tell you everything they have learned about writing...Writing is a capacious activity that allows for a lot of individuality. Nobody's wrong, and nobody's necessarily right," the authors write.
Most new writers don't grasp the importance of revising. Kooser and Cox write: "It's a rare first draft that can be published or even read in public. Almost every piece of writing needs some rewriting, rethinking, and polishing before it is ready to take center stage." Their suggestion on the importance of revising is to "let it [draft] cool" a while before revising.
Stephen King, the authors point out, sets the first draft of his books aside for six weeks before writing the second draft.
The personality of your writing can determine your own personality, they write: "Expressing yourself positively will have a remarkable effect on your life...It turns out that writing positively leads you into the habit of thinking positively, and thinking positively leads you to behaving positively in other areas of your life."
The focus of the book is how to get started writing, how to keep going and how to get publicity. It does a good job of meeting that goal.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kooser and Cox Know what they are writing about..., March 19, 2006

By 

Patricia H. Hannaway "P.H. (Patti) Hannaway" (Wesley Chapel, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Writing Brave and Free: Encouraging Words for People Who Want to Start Writing (Hardcover)

As a writer with 53 years background, I just wish this book
would have been available years ago. It clearly points out
the ways to keep your writing "on target" in every aspect.
Ted Kooser, in his second appointment term a U.S. Poet Laureate,
is down-to-earth, homespun poet and essayist. Americans are
blessed to have his knowledge at hand in this great book.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Friends Share their Secrets, June 13, 2006

By 

Jay Rochlin "Jay Rochlin" (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Writing Brave and Free: Encouraging Words for People Who Want to Start Writing (Paperback)

Imagine sitting down for coffee (or tea) with the U.S. Poet Laureate (who just won a Pulitzer) and a well respected author, editor and publisher and having them tell you how you can write better. This book does it. Conversational, fun, and full of wisdom and encouragement. Will you snag your Pulitzer? Probably not. But, if you take these guys' advice and start writing, there's a good chance that you'll have some words on paper that other people might just treasure long into the future.

Jay Rochlin