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Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity Paperback – August 1, 1994

by Ray Bradbury (Author)

4.7 500 ratings

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"Bradbury, all charged up, drunk on life, joyous with writing, puts together nine past essays on writing and creativity and discharges every ounce of zest and gusto in him."--Kirkus Reviews ¶"Zen and the Art of Writing is purely and simply Bradbury's love song to his craft."--Los Angeles Times

Print length

176 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Joshua Odell Editions
Publication date

August 1, 1994
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.5 x 8 inches
ISBN-10

1877741094
ISBN-13

978-1877741098
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Joshua Odell Editions; 0 edition (August 1, 1994)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1877741094
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1877741098
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #281,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #649 in Writing Skill Reference (Books)
- #927 in Literary Criticism & Theory
- #934 in Essays (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.7 500 ratings

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Ray Bradbury

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In a career spanning more than seventy years, Ray Bradbury, who died on June 5, 2012, at the age of 91, inspired generations of readers to dream, think, and create. A prolific author of hundreds of short stories and close to fifty books, as well as numerous poems, essays, operas, plays, teleplays, and screenplays, Bradbury was one of the most celebrated writers of our time. His groundbreaking works include Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, The Illustrated Man, Dandelion Wine, and Something Wicked This Way Comes. He wrote the screen play for John Huston's classic film adaptation of Moby Dick, and was nominated for an Academy Award. He adapted sixty-five of his stories for television's The Ray Bradbury Theater, and won an Emmy for his teleplay of The Halloween Tree. He was the recipient of the 2000 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, the 2004 National Medal of Arts, and the 2007 Pulitzer Prize Special Citation, among many honors.

Throughout his life, Bradbury liked to recount the story of meeting a carnival magician, Mr. Electrico, in 1932. At the end of his performance Electrico reached out to the twelve-year-old Bradbury, touched the boy with his sword, and commanded, "Live forever!" Bradbury later said, "I decided that was the greatest idea I had ever heard. I started writing every day. I never stopped."

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GS_Jennsen

Simply Delightful

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2023

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I now strive to bring as much unrestrained joy to my own writing as Mr. Bradbury did to his.

Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2013

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I have been a writer (and been writing) for most of my life. My library of writing books is extensive but the one I turn to when I need inspiration, a break and even a few laughs is Zen In The Art of Writing. Bradbury doesn't give you rules or tell you how to create plots or build characters. He tells you how to use what you see, hear and live in/through every day as fodder for your writing. Sounds small but, as a writer, it is HUGE. I first realized that characters and plot lines could be drawn from the writer's own life when reading a biography of Mark Twain who incorporated most of his relatives and friends into his books. That was an aha moment for me. Bradbury's book was an aha experience - taking that sliver of information and exploding it into 11 essays that show writers why putting words to paper is such a joy. I wish I could find a first edition, hardback. I would give it to my grandson who is studying writing at Pitt. As it is, I gave him a paperback when he left for college and hope it helps him find his joy as quickly as it helped me retreive mine.

One person found this helpful

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DVB

Don't Think!

Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2019

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Bradbury expertly motivates anyone who wants to be a writer by reminding them that the only thing standing in their way is themselves. His constant reminder to not overthink the writing process and get out of their own way and let the story write itself. The separation into essays makes it an easy read, and makes it easy to sit down and reread an essay whenever you're looking for a little motivation. As an avid Bradbury fan, he truly shows why he's one of the greats and anyone looking to be a writer will benefit from this book. He reminds us that when you truly love what you do, work quickly turns into an act of relaxation, and you'll soon find yourself succeeding with more fervor than ever before.

3 people found this helpful

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Brad

A peek into Bradbury's mind.......................

Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2022

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This is a must read for all writers. Bradbury is one of my favorite writers and one of my biggest inspirations. This book is like taking a day trip into his mind and exploring every dark corner. One of the most celebrated writers of the 20th century, Bradbury will indeed live forever through his writing.

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Amazon Customer

Fun romp and exploration of creativity

Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2022

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Ray Bradbury’s Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity is 170 pages of fun. Mr. Bradbury advocates play as a means of freeing the subconscious, and encourages the writer to relax into the art of writing.
Favorite quotes:
* You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.
* The first thing a writer should be is--excited.
* Passion often saves the day.
* Life is short, misery sure, mortality certain. But on the way, in your work, why not [incorporate] Zest
and Gusto.
* Read poetry every day of your life.
* What we are trying to do is find a way to release the truth that lies in all of us.
* Can we borrow cups of fire from the sun? We can and must and light the world.
On revision: “The main thing is compression.” He says: “there are two arts: number one, getting the [story] done; and then, the second great art is learning how to cut it so you don’t kill it or hurt it in any way.” And: “The artist learns what to leave out.”

This collection of essays doesn’t delve into craft mechanics, but does provide an encouraging overview of the creative journey.

2 people found this helpful

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Larry

Great advice from a Master

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2020

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Ray Bradbury was a Master Author. Most of the works I've read of his have been in the science-fiction category. His love and enthusiasm for his craft, as expressed in this book, is palpable. I only wish I'd come across this work decades ago.
If you are interested in a career as a wordsmith, you MUST READ THIS (and the younger you are, the better). But do note, it is not about technique; or selecting a genre' to express yourself; nor is it about style; simply it is about his journey from novice to master. A journey of love, of enthusiasm, of 110% dedication. What a journey that was! ! !

5 people found this helpful

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Trish C

Ray Bradbury has Zen down to an art

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2019

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I honestly don't think I've ever read a Ray Bradbuy novel. However, since becoming a full-time writer, I find I gravitate towards more books that will help me with my own writing. Zen and the Art of Writing is chocked full of essays written by Bradbury throughout his life. The imagery he provides is glorious and I find myself swept away in the pages.
Even though I haven't notice him giving me step-by-step instructions on how to write, his wisdom is found intertwined in his words and I'm afraid when I finish this little book, I'll be left wanting more. Great read!

10 people found this helpful

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M. Johnson

Must read book for writers this is why.

Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2016

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Ray Bradbury is my favorite author. He is a true American treasure that not enough people know about. Most people only know him from Fahrenheit 451: A Novel , but there is so much more to read in Ray Bradbury's world. Try reading The Illustrated Man , Something Wicked This Way Comes , The Martian Chronicles , I Sing the Body Electric: And Other Stories , , Dandelion Wine (Grand Master Editions) , and one of my favorites, Bradbury Stories: 100 of His Most Celebrated Tales .

If you ever need to be inspired in your writing, read this book. He will draw the passion of writing out of you, remind you why we do what we do, and slowly build you a blueprint on how to do it daily. I highly commend this book for any writer and any level.

51 people found this helpful

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Sleep-shopping Zombie @ Foxes

Imperdible

Reviewed in Mexico on September 12, 2019

Verified Purchase

Best book ever!!! No soy fan de la ciencia ficción ni de Bradbury en general, pero este libro (que no es de ciencia ficción) pone al descubierto de forma honesta el desarrollo de la imaginación del autor.

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David J. Widmann

My third copy of this book

Reviewed in Canada on June 19, 2014

Verified Purchase

I really have to stop loaning this out to people. It never comes back. Yes, I'd like a Kindle edition. :)

Many writers have put out many memoirs about their writing lives. They've done a good job of covering the "what" (their subject matter, genre, form, influences) and the "how" (techniques, style, business, schedules), but none have done better than Bradbury at getting to the meat of the "why" of writing. I'm returning to writing after a long absence caused in part by the fact that it just became a drudgery every single day. After dabbling again for a while, I picked up this book and remembered why, as a child, I was drawn to writing in the first place. Bradbury was truly an artist.

3 people found this helpful

David Nevin

Quite Simply Brilliant

Reviewed in Spain on March 19, 2013

Verified Purchase

For anyone interested in creativity and the fun that lies in seducing the muse this book is for you. Clear, intelligent and friendly; this book reminds us all of our common difficulties and joys in the arena of creative endeavors. This book will remain one of my favorite gift ideas to good friends for many years to come.

Tiggy

A wonderful read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2012

Verified Purchase

This was an expensive book, but worth every penny. It is beautifully written, inspiring and full of enthusiasm and joy. I limited myself to reading one essay at a time and then taking a pause to ponder and absorb. He is a better writer than poet, but that is really to be a little nit-picky. I keep dipping back to re-read sections and remind myself not only to write with gusto, but to live with it too. And now I intend to go back and read a whole lot more of his other writing.

4 people found this helpful

Janina

El contenido genial, el exterior...

Reviewed in Spain on August 3, 2017

Verified Purchase

Normalmente no suelo tener quejas con los envíos pero es el segundo libro que me llega doblado por el tránsito y no sé a que se debe. Espero que para futuros envíos tengan un poco más de cuidado con estas cosas.

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