Make Your Words Work (Paperback)

by Gary Provost (Author)
Key Phrases: omniscient viewpoint, writing that works, viewpoint character, Make Your Words Work, New York, Miss Thompson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Gary Provost practices what he preaches in Make Your Words Work. He helps you learn to write well by, among other things, writing well himself. His warm, witty, entertaining instruction teams with solid examples as well as exercises. Get the good word now. This is the writing course to help you make your work more powerful, more readable, more salable. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author
Because of his entertaining style, the late Gary Provost was one of the nation's leading and most beloved writing instructors. A sought-after speaker, consultant, and celebrity biographer, Provost- "the writer's writer" -authored thousands of articles and columns, and dozens of books covering most every genre. His highly acclaimed Writer's Retreat Workshop, and video and audio courses remain available through writersretreatworkshop.com. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books (February 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898796369
• ISBN-13: 978-0898796360
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #742,421 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best writing book I've ever read, January 31, 2001

By	Joe Kenney "buttergun" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Make Your Words Work (Hardcover)

The fact that this book is out of print is a true indicator of how corrupt and twisted the "how to write" publishing industry really is. Why? Because this is the only writing book you'll ever need. So if you had it, you wouldn't have to spend your money on books like "How to write a best-selling novel in 5 minutes" or "YOU can write a classic," or other such stupid "guides," which usually are written by authors who have nothing else to their credit. Why read a book that claims it will show you how to write a best-seller, when the author himself hasn't written a best-seller? Gary Provost doesn't claim that he'll help you write a best-seller, he merely claims that he will help make you a better writer. And if you read the book, follow his instructions, and practice, you will become one. Provost wasn't a best-seller himself, and most of his books are out of print, but that doesn't matter. What matters is, he knew what makes good writing, and what makes writing work. And more importantly, he knew how to TEACH these principles. Hopefully one day this will be back in print. Until then, scour the used bookstores until you find a copy. You will be very glad you did.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Buyer beware, October 1, 2006

By	Antonio Goncalves - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Make Your Words Work: Proven Techniques for Effective Writing-For Fiction and Nonfiction (Paperback)

This is an excellent how-to book, well-worth having. However, do not buy it if you already have Provost's "Beyond Style." "Make Your Words Work" is nothing but a (barely) repackaged version of "Beyond Style," with hardly any useful new material. Shamefully, nothing in "Make Your Words Work" references or even hints at its parentage. This book should have been entitled "Beyond Style, Second Edition."

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Invaluable Guide, March 26, 2003

By	Matt Reagan (Sedona, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Make Your Words Work: Proven Techniques for Effective Writing-For Fiction and Nonfiction (Paperback)

This book was my introduction into the world of good, gripping, and effective writing. I don't think I'll ever find a book more helpful than this. While other How-To-Write books pose good questions but provide very few answers, Provost gives you the lessons and advice that will make your writing sing. The fact that Provost knows what he is talking about is evident as soon as you read the first page. This is a How-To-Write book, and yet it's as hard to put down as a good fantasy novel. I've never read a book that has guided me so masterfully and that has enhanced my own writing so much. It's an invaluable guide to any writer. If you want to write well, buy this book.