Customer Reviews

The Writing World: Living the Literary Life

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If you have a book inside you and have yet to begin to write, you must make this one one of the first you read. Lots of great stuff in this handy guide!

The Writing World is a small book with a big message. The writing style is clear, crisp, to the point and generously sprinkled with quotations and poetry. Three groups of people may well believe this book was written with them in mind.
The first group, experienced writers, will identify with Delma and her experiences. They can glean ideas for their own success by examining what worked for her and what didn't. Delma recognizes that while writers tend to be loners, they benefit from getting to know other writers. Read this book and get to
know Delma.
For the second group, novice and aspiring writers, the book is a survey course. It outlines the process of writing, publishing and marketing, then puts meat on the outlined bones with how-tos and rationales. She doesn't neglect the art of maintainiing a satisfying life and good relationships while writing. She calls that surviving. Delma's book will help answer the question of why -- as well as why not -- to undertake or persist in a writing career.
The third group includes family and friends of writers. Reading this book will help them to understand what drives the writer(s) in their lives; to glimpse the forces at play in the writer's world.
I fit in the second and third groups and I plan to keep my copy of this book handy for whenever I need a refresher course.
The Writing World is a little book without a wasted word. Each word is worth its weight in insight. It could be titled, The Writing world - Aha!

I have recently read The Writing World: Living the Literary Life, by Delma Luben and was very impressed. Much thought has gone into the research and layout of this book so that it could be easily understood. I would encourage it to be high school required reading. Her counsel is so encompassing it can be used not only for the novice writer, but the experienced penman.

Delma's insight into the fear of failure and it's negative power is unique and
wise. Also, I believe her advice regarding challenges and survival, if applied to everyday life, would help pave the way to self-acceptance in this real world so much more easily.

[...]
"This book contains information not found in any other book for writers, that I have read. It is a mother lode of help, ideas, facts, how to's, insights--vital information for any writer, family member, or teacher of writing. I've highlighted so many lines the whole book, every page,is now brightly colored. A keeper book--a true "ganga" for the price."

Delma's book is interesting and easy to read. I couldn't put it down until I had read it twice--there was so much to absorb. The inspirational poetry was quite apropos to the book's main theme which provides useful information and motivation to writers or hopefuls.

It was the extraordinary shove this procrastinator needed to start arranging 40 years of family research and photos into a family anecdotal history book. It will make me neither rich nor famous, but will end my obligation and provide my complete fulfillment.

Each chapter of this book presented yet another challenge for me but the one entitled "Late Great Literary Careers" was most encouraging to this late starter. I also appreciated the advice on the pitfalls of survival and not giving up. Delma's comprehensive book on writing will provide future inspiration to me when I need it most.

I am sure this book is a favorite of more sophisticated writers, but I would recommend it to anyone with a book close to his heart, dreaming of fulfillment but not knowing where to start.