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138th out of 319 books
—
506 voters
Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing: A Novelist Looks at His Craft
by
David Morrell (Goodreads Author)
Bestselling novelist David Morrell provides insights and advice learned during thirty years of writing and selling novels--insider secrets that are sure to help writers achieve the next level of literary success, whether they're just beginning or already published! With captivating anecdotes and thoughtful discussion, Morrell explores the basics of the writing craft, from...more
Paperback
Published
September 1st 2003
by Writers Digest Books
(first published 2002)
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Having just finished the first draft of my second novel I did what I always do after a draft: take a little time to consider my craft (and not look at the book). So I pulled this puppy off my stack of books on writing. I've read a lot of such books, and this is one of the better ones in it's category.
They fall into a number of broad groups: books on specific components like plot or character, books on sentences, books on editing, books on selling your books, books on summarizing your books, wind...more
They fall into a number of broad groups: books on specific components like plot or character, books on sentences, books on editing, books on selling your books, books on summarizing your books, wind...more
When I first started writing several years back I found this book. The idea that a writer who's work I really liked had taken the time to write about the process of writing and his thoughts on a lot of related topics impressed me.
I became the newsletter chairman for a small writing club I belonged to in Texas and in each month's newsletter I tried to add a tips column. Quite a few came from this book.
I really liked his conversation about film rights. I think every aspiring writer has dreams of h...more
I became the newsletter chairman for a small writing club I belonged to in Texas and in each month's newsletter I tried to add a tips column. Quite a few came from this book.
I really liked his conversation about film rights. I think every aspiring writer has dreams of h...more
I usually don’t read Art of Writing/self help writing books but this one caught my eye with the lighthouse on the front cover. I flipped through and could immediately see that this looked much better than most. Instead of catchy how to get started lessons and weird and wonderful exercises, this has much more useful chapters focusing on structure, viewpoint and research. I found his chapters on viewpoint particularly helpful. I feel this is a very neglected topic and Morrell cleverly underlines t...more
Jan 02, 2012
Suzie Quint
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
intermediate and advanced writers
Shelves:
writing-books
David Morrell has written more than 20 books. His best known is First Blood. Yes, as in Rambo: First Blood. I always find it reassuring when the author of a writing book has written books that are still in print years later. Even better when it's a book I recognize or have read. Having written a character that's a cultural icon, I expect him to know his stuff.
That said, I wasn't sure what to expect from the title of this book. Was it going to be about his personal journey as Stephen King's book...more
That said, I wasn't sure what to expect from the title of this book. Was it going to be about his personal journey as Stephen King's book...more
Mar 08, 2011
Belle Wong
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
old-favorites,
books-on-writing
Just finished a quick reread of this one (I skimmed most of the chapters, but thoroughly read the chapters on getting focused and dealing with writer's block).
The first time I read this book, I was really taken with Morrell's idea of a written conversation with yourself about your book idea, rather than an outline or winging it. I've never tried his method, but the idea feels as fresh and inviting to me today as it did the last time I read the book.
The first time I read this book, I was really taken with Morrell's idea of a written conversation with yourself about your book idea, rather than an outline or winging it. I've never tried his method, but the idea feels as fresh and inviting to me today as it did the last time I read the book.
1 like · like · see review
view all 7 comments
If you have any desire to write on a high level, as means of expression or as an aspiring professional, there isn't a better source of information and insight, or a better example to follow, than this work by David Morrell. It's no coincidence that David Morrell is not only one of the most successful andhighly respected authors in the business, but one of my personal favorites as well.
David Morrell's book on writing is very insightful. He discusses both the craft of writing and the psychology of being a writer. He explains why certain things do or do not work in writing, but he also captures the heart of what it means to be a writer. I highly recommend this book to any writer.
If you are a writer you should be reading this book - I have now read it two times and use it for reference while I teach and mentor other authors - thanks for all the great books you have done and for this info on how you do it.
In terms of "how-to" books on writing, this is one of the best ones out there ... or at least of what I've read so far :-)
Very real, and very applicable. David gave a lot of great advice and used super examples. I had goosebumps reading the last page.
Oct 25, 2011
Paul
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
all authors
Recommended to Paul by:
David Morrell
I discovered this book after discovering the author's website during Jonathan's writing a book in 9 months class. I related the book to my class mates and they added Stephen Kings book on writing as another valuable writing aid.
David Morrel actually answered his own site e-mail and mentioned I might like his book. It was very valuable and I have returned to review it several times.
Since then Jonathan (Maberry)has sat next to David at some events and I have discovered this author is a bit more ap...more
David Morrel actually answered his own site e-mail and mentioned I might like his book. It was very valuable and I have returned to review it several times.
Since then Jonathan (Maberry)has sat next to David at some events and I have discovered this author is a bit more ap...more
A very insightful work on the craft of writing. A must read.
One of the three best fiction writing books on the market.
Honest and interesting. I added another of his works to my reading list because I'm impressed.
This is a great read no matter if you are just writing your first book or if you have been at writing for a while. His lessons on writing and the business are very informative and helpful. I only wish he had more information about life as a writer outside of creation. For example, he briefly discusses contracts and book distributions, but I would have liked to view a little more on the ins and outs of what an author can expect to encounter once a book is published. Even still, it was an encourag...more
This book was equally entertaining and informative.
I might should give this 4 stars.
I liked this book. It gave me some good techinques to think about. I didn't really finish it because I went on vacation and it is due back at the library too soon. But I will probably check it out again at a later time.
GREAT BOOK for anyone writing or is thinking about writing. David lays it all out concerning the truth of the business along with personal insight.
Quite simply the best book ever on writing.
This is a good book on writing. The author give good tips on how to write. He also give us a glimpse in the author mind and life as an author. The author is a successful novelist, he knows what works. I am not interested in the kind of novels he writes as they seem to violent for my taste but I enjoyed his view on writing and believe that it can be useful.
May 01, 2008
Levi
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
aspiring novelists
Shelves:
non-fiction-single-subject
An instructional guide to the writing life written by the guy who wrote "First Blood," which introduced Rambo. There are a lot of great tips here about the creative process as well as the business aspect of the writing world. Pick it up if you've ever considered heading down the road to publication.
Good to read through once, and it's great to learn from someone who's obviously been there and done that. Not good if you want to actually learn a _lot_ (there are better books), but if you're looking for an overview of how a master got where he got, this is good.
Loved this book. It gave me more useful information than any ten other writing books I've read, combined. I got this one from the library, but will definitely be buying it. I highly recommend it to anyone, whether you're planning on writing a book, or not.
This is a pretty decent book by Morrell about writing. Useful for would be writers.
This is an excellent book about behind-the-scenes of being a writer
Very helpful book on the craft of writing. Well worth the read.
May 19, 2013
John Orman
is currently reading it
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David Morrell is a Canadian novelist from Kitchener, Ontario, who has been living in the United States for a number of years. He is best known for his debut 1972 novel First Blood, which would later become a successful film franchise starring Sylvester Stallone. More recently, he has been writing the Captain America comic books limited-series The Chosen.
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