Grit for the Oyster: 250 Pearls of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers (Paperback)

~ (Author), Debora M. Coty (Author), Faith Tibbetts McDonald Joanna Bloss (Author)
Key Phrases: dem bones, writing ministry, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Faith Tibbetts, Joanna Bloss (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A powerful motivator for aspiring writers, Grit for the Oyster offers wit, wisdom, and inspiration to take that first step and persevere through the writing journey. More than a how-to, this confidence-building book is designed to draw readers to a closer relationship with God, to affirm their calling to write, and to offer pithy practical guidance from successful writers like Terri Blackstock, Martha Bolton, James Scott Bell, Liz Curtis Higgs, Dr. Gary Chapman, and David Kopp.

Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: Vintage Romance Publishing (August 31, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981559220
• ISBN-13: 978-0981559223
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #960,991 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gem of a Book, November 18, 2008

By	Ruth R. King "BookishRuth.com" (Spring City, PA , USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

With Grit for the Oyster, authors Suzanne Woods Fisher, Debora M. Coty, Faith Tibbetts McDonald and Joanna Bloss have created an excellent resource for aspiring writers.

The book is divided into four sections: The first deals with embarking on a writing career, the second addresses the daily grind of writing, the third focuses on dealing with rejection, and the fourth section centers on keeping your perspective as a writer.

The four authors take turns with short devotional essays. Each essay includes a related Bible verse, pertinent quotations from established writers, questions for deeper reflection and introspection, and a suggested prayer. The authors tackle issues such as dealing with distractions, handling both success and failure, honing and using your voice, balancing faith with writing, and persevering in the face of self-doubt.

While I believe that the advice contained in Grit for the Oyster would be helpful for any writer, it will be especially beneficial to Christians. The format lends itself perfectly to use as a daily devotional.

I particularly enjoyed the carefully selected quotations that accompanied each essay. The insights of industry professionals and successful authors such as Dr. Gary Chapman, Terri Blackstock, Liz Curtis Higgs, Tricia Goyer and David Kopp are an inspirational addition to the book.

The presentation is a bit bland, and I would have liked an index for easier reference to specific issues, but the excellent advice and encouraging message outshine these minor flaws.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for Christian Writers, November 5, 2008

By	Jessica Anderson (Provo, UT United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Grit for the Oyster: 250 Pearls of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers is a book designed to give Christian writers encouragement throughout the writing process. The book is divided into four sections: (1) Getting Started. Should I? Can I?; (2) The Joyful Grind; (3) I Give Up! Too Many Rejections; and (4) Getting "It" Right: The Proper Perspective. Each "pearl of wisdom" consists of a thought, a prayer, a reflection, and some quotations. My favorite pearl is called "Rock Collecting" and recommends keeping "stones" or physical representations of accomplishments to help you get through hard times.

There are lots of good quotes and resources here. In fact, it would lend itself well to use as a kind of daily devotional - though it would work better if each of the 250 pearls were numbered. The book design is a little amateurish and there are some typos, but this is well-intentioned book that I would recommend for nondenominational Christian writers.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Praise for Grit for the Oyster, September 16, 2008

By	Leslie Bradley - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

With open, generous hearts and witty, honest voices, the authors of Grit for the Oyster offer aspiring writers encouragement and Christian inspiration, served up side by side with no-nonsense advice on negotiating the rugged path to publication.

Grit's four authors take turns speaking, so the reader experiences the book as a long conversation among good friends. Fisher, Coty, McDonald, and Bloss probe issues from from understanding God's call to understanding U.S. copyright law; from finding one's writing voice to finding a room to write in; from making effective revisions to making effective writing relationships; from gracefully handling rejection to humbly accepting praise. Readers will feel invited into the warm conversation and will walk away with new confidence, new writing habits, and new writing goals.

An added bonus: Though the book's subtitle identifies an audience of aspiring writers, accomplished writers will find camaraderie and wisdom within Grit's pages.