Accidental Magic: The Wizard's Techniques for Writing Words Worth 1,000 Pictures (Hardcover)

by Roy Williams (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
160 unposed moments of life miraculously caught forever on film are juxtaposed against the words of world-class master persuaders.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Bard Press (November 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885167547
• ISBN-13: 978-1885167545
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #700,435 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars more poetry and pictures than instruction, December 5, 2002

By A Customer

Let me begin by saying that I am a HUGE fan of the Wizard of Ads trilogy. I found them inspirational, educational, and fascinating to read. I noticed a drastic improvement in my writing techniques because of them. This book, however, I did not enjoy very much. The opening chapters are reprints of ones in the previous books followed by pages of photos with submitted stories behind them. While some of the captions were great to read, I found myself quickly bored and never quite made it to the end. I purchased the book under the assumption that it was in same genre of the trilogy rather than a coffee table book- which, admittedly was my mistake- but it just wasn't for me. On a positive note, having an example of the techniques never hurt anyone; and all the proceeds go to charity.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Journey Into the Magical Worlds of Words, November 7, 2001

By	Bryan Eisenberg "Persuasion Architect" (Brooklyn, New York United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

With techniques to surprise Broca, Frosting, Franking, Suessing and Frameline Magnetism, Roy Williams and 106 graduates of The Wizard Academy set out in this unique book to prove that words are worth 1,000 pictures. On one side of the page a photograph, a "window through which we can peer into another world", on the other a literary snapshot incorporating the techniques required to imprint vivid mental imagery. "The magic in the photographs is accidental but the magic in the word intentional." .

How many gobbletygooks, gimmicks and gizmoes have you tried to use to improve your writing ability? Do you know yet how to remove the black words from your copy? If not pick up your copy of this unique book right away. Not only do you get to enjoy this exceptional quality book, but all proceeds of this book go to help the people of Guatemala.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Commanding Case Studies For Excellent Writing, November 8, 2001

By	Rich Carr (Warren, OR United States) - See all my reviews

For years I too toiled in the rank and file of the Public School system to learn to write with clarity, proper grammar, and the ability to grab my readers by their collective eyeballs and yank them into my thoughts. The techniques described in this magnificent compilation of photographs, and an authors description of each, serve as 'case studies' for great writing using the same techniques the book elaborates at the beginning. Could have used this my sophomore year...glad it is here today.