Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity 0th Edition

by Ray Bradbury (Author)

388 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-1877741098

ISBN-10: 1877741094

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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

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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 ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #29,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2 in Literary Theory
- #11 in Writing Skills Reference
- #24 in Authorship Reference

Customer Reviews:
388 ratings

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5 star		82%
4 star		11%
3 star		4%
2 star		2%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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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.

47 people found this helpful

Helpful

Happy ReaderTop Contributor: Doctor Who

PLOT is no more than footprints left in the snow.

Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2016

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The essays in this book are, and Ray Bradbury admits this, written from the perspective of a person who MUST write: "I have learned, on my journeys, that if I let a day go by without writing, I grow uneasy."

All eleven essays were previously published, over the 30 years prior to the collection's original 1994 publication. There is a little bit of repetition in the stories because of that, but not enough to be annoying.

The essays are, for the most part, rah-rah, get your imagination out cheerleading. Bradbury writes in direct sentences, with lots of energy and plenty of exclamation points. An important lesson is to take your experiences, especially your fears, and use them in your creations. He gives many examples of how this worked in his own writing. I found the most interesting tip in the final essay (the last chapter is poetry): "Remember: PLOT is no more than footprints left in the snow AFTER your characters have run by on their way to incredible destinations. PLOT is observed after the fact rather than before. It cannot precede action. It is the chart that remains when a action is through."

I think plot and action and characters are more of a balancing act, but I understand what he's saying and it's something to keep in mind. I have to admit, though, that I thought "The Martian Chronicles" could have used a lot more PLOT.

Overall, I liked Stephen King's On Writing: 10th Anniversary Edition: A Memoir of the Craft a bit better, but the first part of King's book is a biography which, though interesting, isn't about writing. For me, "Zen in the Art of Writing" is 3.6 stars rounded up to 4.

Happy Reader

25 people found this helpful

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Chekhov's ghost

Where's the Zen?

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2020

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I was expecting a lot more philosophical wisdom from this little and overpriced book. Instead, what I got is a loose collection of essays written over a large span of time related to Ray Bradbury's experiences as a writer.

The essays are for the most part autobiographical and tend to be repetitive, with several of the anecdotes repeated several times.

Here are Bradbury's main points:
1. Write every day and write a lot. It is the only way to improve.
2. Be enthusiastic about writing. Don't think about possible profit or fame. Write for the love of writing. (Bradbury is an extremely enthusiastic author.)
3. For inspiration, write longs lists of titles made of nouns. The Trapdoor, The Window, The Lighthouse, etc. Look at the list from time to time and your subconscious will provide a story.
4. Ray Bradbury was fascinated by skeletons and carnivals as a kid. He loved Buck Rogers comic strips.
5. Did I mention that Ray Bradbury was fascinated by skeletons and carnivals. Don't worry. He'll repeat it several times.

Even the prose at times becomes a little unintelligible. Looks like someone slapped these essays together to make an easy buck. Diappointed.

4 people found this helpful

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Patricia 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!

7 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! ! !

3 people found this helpful

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A. R. Davis

A look behind the magic curtain.

Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2020

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Like any good magician, Bradbury shows us his hat and the rabbits of his writing without revealing the magic. Work. Yes, of course. Keep practicing until the process becomes automatic. And how many hours is that? Relax. Let your subconscious bring out the words. No, no, you’re too tense! Don’t think. “Self-consciousness is the enemy of all art.” I must be doing it all wrong! This book reveals Bradbury, the author, but this writing of the real is not the writing of the imagination that millions love.

One person found this helpful

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Mary A. MadsenTop Contributor: Cooking

The Workings Of A Master

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2015

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Bradbury has always been a mystery to me--his ability to write so well so fast while entertaining and making us think--and I've wanted to know more about his approach to writing. It's here, and it's different, and it's whipped my head around to see the craft in a different light. I'm positive I read this a long time ago and thought, Oh everything in it is somewhere buried in my mind. Perhaps I have, but I was different then and didn't realize what a gem of a book it is. There are no strict formulas in this book, which I appreciate, but many lights in the dark that help lead the way. Anyone with a curiosity about Bradbury's thinking or the craft of writing should find this as enjoyable as I did.

12 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

tuitikki

Totally not the book I expected, but still love it

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2015

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I wanted to get one of those cookbooks about writing, and since I respect Bradbury deeply as a writer, it seemed to be the best choice.
However, it is a book of a general mood of writing, about fun about discoveries and about his personal experience. Written in an excellent and lively manner, lots of fun to read.

3 people found this helpful

E C H

Wisdom From A Master Wordsmith

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 31, 2014

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A heart to heart connection as soon as I started reading. Soul nourishment and creative support for the writer you are or working on becoming.

Tiggy

A wonderful read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2012

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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

susan chalk

Just 'dipped into' this book here and there at the ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 3, 2015

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Just 'dipped into' this book here and there at the moment. Inspiring writing, not just for writers but for anyone who has a creative muse who won't behave.

One person found this helpful

EJ Frost

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 16, 2016

Verified Purchase

Absolutely brilliant book, full of pearls of wisdom for writers from casual to pro!

Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity 0th Edition

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