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186th out of 321 books
—
503 voters
Spunk & Bite: A Writer's Guide to Bold, Contemporary Style
by
Arthur Plotnik (Goodreads Author)
Today's writer needs more than just a solid knowledge of usage and composition to write successfully. Bestselling author Arthur Plotnik reveals the secrets to attention-grabbing, unforgettable writing, in this trade paperback edition.
Updated with all-new writing exercises, Spunk & Bite will help writers take books, articles, business reports, memos, and even e-mail me...more
Updated with all-new writing exercises, Spunk & Bite will help writers take books, articles, business reports, memos, and even e-mail me...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
May 8th 2007
by Random House Reference
(first published November 1st 2005)
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While the title implies the text is a parody of the classic text, The Elements of Style by Strunk and White, it is actually a style manual unto itself. Plotnik discusses, in encyclopedic form, ways of approaching writing, engaging, readers, and who to look to as modern examples. He discusses; tense, diction, dialogue, foreign language use, idioms, and many others testy writing issues. The writing is sharp and edgy, filled with relevant and modern examples. E. B. White would be proud. This is a t...more
Sep 24, 2008
Audrey Tolle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Writers who want to give their work that extra edge.
This how-to guide for the wannabe creative writer lives up to its name. Not only does the text have spunk and bite, it's brimming with advice on exactly how to add spark to your writing. From practical information such as a list of vocabulary building websites to a discussion on the trend of omitting quotation marks, Plotnik covers a lot of ground. He also delves into innovative techniques like creating new words (often based on combinations of existing terms).
I checked it out from the library,...more
I checked it out from the library,...more
I got this as a Christmas gift and thought the title was witty. Unfortunately, the title was the best part of the book. Originally published in 2005 and reprinted in 2007, I have to wonder whether the author didn't realise that at some point the members of Generation Y, about whom he was not particularly kind, would potentially pick up the book in hope of some new insights.
I was at a loss to find any new insights in this book. It seemed that the book rehashed advice I've read time and again in o...more
I was at a loss to find any new insights in this book. It seemed that the book rehashed advice I've read time and again in o...more
Jun 20, 2008
Kathryn
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Prose writers
I picked this up for the title, which I love, having studiously avoided Strunck and White.
This one is entertaining, which is surprising for a 'writer's guide'. But Plotnik practices what he preaches, and there are some fun turns of phrase.
I find myself waxing uber-prosaic after reading a chapter of this book, and I'm studiously avoiding peppering my emails with over-extended metaphors no one wants to hear.
Especially if you're writing a book, this is a good one to read.
This one is entertaining, which is surprising for a 'writer's guide'. But Plotnik practices what he preaches, and there are some fun turns of phrase.
I find myself waxing uber-prosaic after reading a chapter of this book, and I'm studiously avoiding peppering my emails with over-extended metaphors no one wants to hear.
Especially if you're writing a book, this is a good one to read.
Spunk and Bite Review
*Spunk & Bite* is a rhythm and jazz resource of techniques and suggestions for bringing writing alive. So much of my daily articles consist of actionless verbs (have, to be, are, would have, should have), with little no surprises or engaging fun for the reader. While I may write straight forward and complex sentences, my syntax and paragraphs simply tie one thought to the next. My writing (like this review) is nice, but not memorable or engaging.
You might think in the f...more
*Spunk & Bite* is a rhythm and jazz resource of techniques and suggestions for bringing writing alive. So much of my daily articles consist of actionless verbs (have, to be, are, would have, should have), with little no surprises or engaging fun for the reader. While I may write straight forward and complex sentences, my syntax and paragraphs simply tie one thought to the next. My writing (like this review) is nice, but not memorable or engaging.
You might think in the f...more
Feb 15, 2009
Jennifer
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
All writers and poets
I first heard about this author from a fellow blogger on MySpace, . She had an opportunity to interview Arthur Plotnik who was wiling to do an interview and blog it on MySpace. Plotnik's personality, charm and wit captivated me. I needed to check out this book for the sake of my own betterment.
Plotnik visited my blog and we became amiable. He sent me my first copy of this publication in 2006 with a very special note of encouragement and enthusiasm for my poetry. I later bought (2007 ?) the softc...more
Plotnik visited my blog and we became amiable. He sent me my first copy of this publication in 2006 with a very special note of encouragement and enthusiasm for my poetry. I later bought (2007 ?) the softc...more
Spunk and Bite is a book about writing. If you have no interest in the subject or improving you're own technique then there is really no reason for you to even bother picking this book up. That's not to say it's dry reading, it's actually a quite humorous and fun read, it's just probably not for everyone. The book is written as a response to the classic The Elements of Style, widely know as Strunk & White and considered the writing bible. Plotnik does an entertaining job pointing out where...more
For me nothing was very memorable about this book. I wouldn't say it was useless, maybe something seeped into my subconscious, books have a way of doing that, but I much prefer Bird by Bird! if you're looking for direction in your writing!
Jun 07, 2010
Joe
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Writers
Recommended to Joe by:
Amazon.com
This book makes a nice companion the Strunk & White (AKA The Elements of Style). Where Strunk and White gives you the rules of grammar and usage, Spunk & Bite teaches you how to creatively break the rules. I'd recommend this book to any writer looking to add interest to their locution. As the book says, it is all about "locution, locution, locution". I found the chapter on writing for Gen-Y a little less than useful, but otherwise, the book was pretty useful.
Plotnik has written a wonderful primer for writers desiring to move beyond competent writing into exceptional writing. He covers a variety of topics that, once mastered, will enhance a writer's ability. This is one of those books that should be owned so it can be reviewed again and again as one traverses the writing skill trail.
It is true that Plotnik's own writing is perhaps too spunky and too bitey, moving into the realm of bashing the reader over the head with too many exciting words and phra...more
It is true that Plotnik's own writing is perhaps too spunky and too bitey, moving into the realm of bashing the reader over the head with too many exciting words and phra...more
Apr 06, 2010
Sarah
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
read-in-2010
I read this on a writing retreat while contemplating revisions of a first draft, and it really helped me revitalize my prose! Amazing examples, and very inspirational. My manuscript wouldn't be the same without it!
The only chapter I had a hard time with was the feng shui one, which had a "you'll know it when you see it" tone that didn't seem to fit with the rest of the book.
The only chapter I had a hard time with was the feng shui one, which had a "you'll know it when you see it" tone that didn't seem to fit with the rest of the book.
Jun 19, 2009
Rachel
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
The 'Secret' Writing Group :)
"Some developing writers feel uncomfortable showing their edgiest sides to the world. It may seem like self-exposure, even exhibitionism; to the extent that artists cannot separate themselves from their creations, it is in fact a little of both. But one can distance the artist-self from the non-artist self, letting the one burst out in its most unpredictable nakedness, while the other goes quietly about its business. Call it the courage to write, or a functionally split personality, but this is...more
Ironically, Plotnik warns writers about the danger of alienating their audience with niche references and bloated exaggerations, then proceeds to use a few himself. But otherwise, his writing is exemplary. And that's what his book is about, anyway. Being bold. Taking risks. Doing a cannonball into the stagnant pond of writing.
Spunk & Bite is an uplifting read for any aspiring or practicing writer. The book teaches that it's okay to break rules, even if it means a blemish on your record. The...more
Spunk & Bite is an uplifting read for any aspiring or practicing writer. The book teaches that it's okay to break rules, even if it means a blemish on your record. The...more
I stayed up till 4 in the morning reading this book in one sitting. Though I loved it, as an amateur, I feel generally cautious about trying to grow up into punchiness too soon. My guess would be that many young writers grasp at 'spunk and bite' too early and make a mess of things.
Arthur Plotnik veers from the blindingly obvious, which I learned in basic English classes and could read in any style book, to good advice exaggerated to ridiculousness. The quotes he uses as examples come from authors such as Danielle Steele and Dave Eggers—not the sort of writers I would consider role models. To make matters worse, he natters on at such length that the stupid book takes forever to get through!
Jul 09, 2012
Brittany Petruzzi
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
writing
A great antidote for those tempted to be enslaved by Strunk & White's Elements of Style. And oh so much fun.
The last few chapters were especially good. Lots of wisdom on how to write in a world of constantly changing media.
Gives so many examples of how vivid language makes or breaks writing. A modernized and liberated Strunk & White.
I learned a lot about how to liven up my writing. I liked the earlier stages of the book more than the later.
A must-read for anyone who wants to be "the Mozart of sentence structure, impishly celebrating one triumph after another."
Excellent - deals a lot with the contemporary - which is my drug of choice.
One of the very few books on writing I recommend to all writers.
The book is a breeze. Skimmed some stuff; skipped a few redundant paragraphs. It's a perfect before-bed-so-conked-out-I-can't-read-a-novel book, especially if you're working on editing your own novel. It reinforces what you probably already know in a straightforward and often funny manner. And best of all, he uses examples from some of my favorite spunky writers: Gary Shteyngart, Zadie Smith, Maureen Dowd, etc. Think of it as a Strunk and White rape-shower.
Loved, loved, loved this book -- and the writing style!
So far, so good. The homework is actually FUN.
Great writing advice book
Knowing that you don't have to strictly follow every rule of writing, as established by Strung and White as well as nearly every English teacher I ever had, isn't the same as knowing how to strike out on your own without striking out. This was an easy to read book with many examples of bad, good and better writing. Chapters are broken down into many aspects of writing and are meant to be read in any order. For a writing just starting out it was a good book to pick through.
Logophiles and grammar nerds among you will enjoy this clever exposition of advice for writing more engaging prose and poetry.
What a gloriously interesting book on grammar and style. Plotnik is going to be on my show next month and I bet he's as fun to talk to as he is to read. I learn from his columns in The Writer magazine (which is ending, I hear!), and I learn from this book. I always love checking out new books on writing and so many leave me cold, but this one is a keeper. This is a book I will always be reading because it's a book to also be read in pieces.
Helpful stuff for thinking through writing and communication.
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Arthur Plotnik is the author of eight books, including "Spunk & Bite: A Writer's Guide to Bold, Contemporary Style" and two Book-of-the-Month Club selections: "The Elements of Expression" (revised and expanded in 2012) and "The Elements of Editing." Among his many publications are award-winning essays, biography, short fiction, and poetry. He studied under Philip Roth at the Iowa (Graduate) Wr...more
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Jan 02, 2011 08:41pm