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Help! For Writers: 210 Solutions to the Problems Every Writer Faces Hardcover – September 21, 2011

by Roy Peter Clark (Author)

4.5 104 ratings

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The craft of writing offers countless potential problems: The story is too long; the story's too short; revising presents a huge hurdle; writer's block is rearing its ugly head.

In Help! For Writers, Roy Peter Clark presents an "owner's manual" for writers, outlining the seven steps of the writing process, and addressing the 21 most urgent problems that writers face. In his trademark engaging and entertaining style, Clark offers ten short solutions to each problem. Out of ideas? Read posters, billboards, and graffiti. Can't bear to edit yourself? Watch the deleted scenes feature of a DVD, and ask yourself why those scenes were left on the cutting-room floor. Help! For Writers offers 210 strategies to guide writers to success.

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Roy Peter Clark has been called "America's writing coach" as his stated mission is to help create "a nation of writers."

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About the Author

Roy Peter Clark is senior scholar at the Poynter Institute, one of the most prestigious schools for journalists in the world. He has taught writing at every level -- from schoolchildren to Pulitzer Prize-winning authors -- for more than forty years.

A writer who teaches and a teacher who writes, he has authored or edited nineteen books on writing and journalism, including The Art of X-Ray Reading, How to Write Short, Writing Tools, The Glamour of Grammar, and Help! for Writers. He lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he is considered a garage-band legend.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown and Company; 1st edition (September 21, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316126713
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316126717
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 8.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #909,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #523 in Creative Writing Composition
- #882 in Words, Language & Grammar Reference
- #1,794 in Writing Skill Reference (Books)

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4.5 104 ratings

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Roy Peter Clark

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Roy Peter Clark has been called "America's writing coach" as his stated mission is to help create "a nation of writers." Since 1977 he has taught writing to small children and to Pulitzer winning authors from his mother ship, The Poynter Institute, a school for journalism and democracy in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is the author or editor of 17 books on writing, language, and journalism. The latest, all published by Little, Brown, are "Writing Tools," "The Glamour of Grammar," and "Help! for Writers," which is now also a mobile app. His work has been featured on the Today Show, NPR, and the Oprah Winfrey Show. More than a million of his writing podcasts have been downloaded on iTunesU. On five occasions he has served as a Pulitzer juror and twice has chaired the jury on nonfiction books. His honors include induction in the Features Hall of Fame, an honorary degree from Goucher College, and a stint at Vassar College as Starr Writer-in-Residence. His next book, due out in 2013, is "How to Write Short: Word Craft for Fast Times."

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Customers find the book provides practical advice about writing skills that they didn't learn in high school or college. They find the advice helpful, user-friendly, and informative. The book is described as an entertaining and engaging read.

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Writing skills Advice Reading quality

8 customers mention "Writing skills"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides practical advice about writing that they didn't learn in high school or college. They say it's an excellent tool for novice and intermediate writers looking to improve their skills. The tips and processes can easily be applied to blog or digital writing as well as traditional article or book writing. Readers describe the book as a reference guide, a writing bible, and an entertaining read that supports struggling writers to hone their craft.

"...writing as an artistic expression only and supports struggling writers to hone their craft by following a 7-step process that is setting anyone in..." Read more

"...This book has helped me hone my writing skills into something I hope readers will enjoy. I recommend "Help!..." Read more

"...Practical advice about aspects of writing that you didn't learn in high school or college. Probably not in grad school, either...." Read more

"...project, you'll probably enjoy the warm, engaging, and completely painless writing style...." Read more

6 customers mention "Advice"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the advice in the book practical and user-friendly. It provides useful ideas with references and examples to illustrate points.

"...book is super helpful for aspiring and experienced writers with lots of references and examples to illustrate points...." Read more

"...For me, this book is jam-packed with tons of useful ideas to get the brain moving into a creative direction...." Read more

"...I really enjoy Roy Peter Clark's style. His books are both informative and easy to read." Read more

"This is the first book I bought on the subject and I found it quite useful. The price is right for what you're getting." Read more

3 customers mention "Reading quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's reading quality. They find it entertaining, engaging, and easy to read.

"...of ever writing a nonfiction project, you'll probably enjoy the warm, engaging, and completely painless writing style...." Read more

"Absolutely love this book. First, read a library copy and then just had to have it on my shelf...." Read more

"Reference guide, writing bible, entertaining read..." Read more

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Chaophrayaprincess
Reference guide, writing bible, entertaining read
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
A pleasure to read about the craft of writing. This book is super helpful for aspiring and experienced writers with lots of references and examples to illustrate points. It demystifies writing as an artistic expression only and supports struggling writers to hone their craft by following a 7-step process that is setting anyone in the writing business up for successful outcomes.
Although a few years old, Help! for writers is today as relevant as it was back then. The tips and processes can easily be applied to blog or digital writing as to traditional article or book writing. This is definitely a publication to keep close to the other great books about the mechanics of writing such as Bird by Bird, On Writing well and On writing.

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3 people found this helpful

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Rita Kroon
A Good Read for Writers!
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2013
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Having the urge to write is one thing; acting on it is another, and what stops most people from even beginning to write friction is simply not knowing how to write it. The writer is a curious person who discovers topics to write about that will give the writer an opportunity to share a story, an emotion, a theory, a thought, a problem solved with his reader.

I read "Help for Writers" like the easy-to-understand-and-implement-instructional book that it is. I use it alongside my own novel that I am writing. With every chapter, I go back to my novel and see exactly what Roy Clark means. He gives pertinent examples for every point he makes. This book has helped me hone my writing skills into something I hope readers will enjoy.

I recommend "Help! for Writers" for those interested in polishing their writing skills and techniques - even if it's just to be able to write a personal letter to a friend.

Review by: Rita Kroon, author of "Letters from the Past" and "Kiss Your Mommy Goodbye"

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8 people found this helpful

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J. Schimel
Less wonderful than his first two books
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2012
"Writing Tools" was brilliant--an essential for everyone who wants to write seriously. I reread it regularly and I use ideas from it in my own work and teaching. I thought "The Glamour of Grammar" was also excellent--a clear voice and insights that can elevate your writing. I found "Help! for Writers" less wonderful than those two books. Maybe because it covers a lot of the same ground as "Writing Tools," but perhaps by covering 210 items instead of 50, many entries are shorter and seemed shallower; or perhaps, I'd already gotten the points from his other books. Considering how wonderful Clark's first books are, however, being "less wonderful" still leaves this head-and-shoulders above most other guides for writers. The information is clear, valuable, and fun to read.

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23 people found this helpful

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Bartley Wilson
Creative block? Can't write anything? This book helps.
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2014
Verified Purchase
Every successful writer (sooner or later) stares at a blank piece of paper and has no clue what to write. Being creative is hard sometimes as there is no ON / OFF switch in our brains.

If you have to write for business, a wedding, a blog, or you just want to get some attention to your website -- we all need a little help to get that inspiration or spark going to get us writing like a madman.

For me, this book is jam-packed with tons of useful ideas to get the brain moving into a creative direction. I think you'll find it as useful as I did.

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5 people found this helpful

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Here'sWhatIThink
Professional Editor Speaking: Buy Clark's Books
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2020
Verified Purchase
Every time someone suggests that I publish a book on writing, I reply, "Roy Peter Clark has already nailed it."
Practical advice about aspects of writing that you didn't learn in high school or college. Probably not in grad school, either.

This book and "Writing Tools" are my favorites of his. They're clear, they're served in manageable bites, and they won't scare you.

I've edited hundreds of manuscripts by aspiring authors, so I can tell you that an astonishing number of people try to write books before they actually *learn to write.* Clark will help you avoid that group.

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12 people found this helpful

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Tom Head
Remarkably, This Book is Not a Waste of Time
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2016
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To be honest, I don't find most writing guides helpful—as they tend to be more why-to than how-to—but Clark has really done us a solid here. If you're working on a nonfiction project and your mule is in the ditch, this book will give you some ideas on what you can do next. If you're not really working on a nonfiction project because you haven't gotten that far yet, this book will give you some tips on how you can brainstorm in a productive way. And even if you have no intention of ever writing a nonfiction project, you'll probably enjoy the warm, engaging, and completely painless writing style. Highest possible recommendation; this goes right next to my Strunk & White.

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6 people found this helpful

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Wanda K
Just what the writer's doctor ordered
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2017
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This is a perfect book for writers who are looking to improve their skills and refine their style. It's just what I expected. I really enjoy Roy Peter Clark's style. His books are both informative and easy to read.

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3 people found this helpful

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Alejandro
Excelente guía
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2020
Verified Purchase
Una guía muy práctica para todos aquellos que hacemos de la escritura nuestra profesión. Consejos prácticos, ejemplos útiles y muchas situaciones que el escritor enfrenta. Muy recomendable

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2 people found this helpful

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francesca
Una cosa al giorno
Reviewed in Italy on November 5, 2022
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alla fine fa produrre un'opera intera.

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K.C.Cheriyan
Marvellous
Reviewed in India on November 9, 2017
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A best book, which can inspire us can climb beyond our thoughts. Hair raising if through every page . Thoughts shall begin to flow through your pen if you read the book ....

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R. Stevens
really good advice
Reviewed in Canada on May 3, 2015
Verified Purchase
Love this book. Roy Peter Clark has amazing advice for writers.

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Derek Mills
Deliver a great boost to application and business of writing with quality of service will come back for more.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2016
Verified Purchase
Due to the speed of deliver, your service it has allowed me to get on with my strategy and plans for launch the business targeting people, particularly at universities, to gain wealth from their writing. Great book and I am looking forward to put it on the reading list, as part of the marketing and sales plans.

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Mrs. B. M. Collins
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2018
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Useful book

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