How I Write: The Secret Lives of Authors

by Philip Oltermann
How I Write: The Secret Lives of Authors
published
April 24th 2007 by Rizzoli
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binding
Hardcover, 192 pages

isbn
0847829421   (isbn13: 9780847829422)

description
Have you ever wondered about the creative process of your favorite authors? Ever wondered who loves money more than life? What doors do the secret key...more





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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 42)



Sandra
Sandra rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
09/10/08

At first glance, I didn't like this book: it looked like a coffee-table book — cool design, but no substance, I thought. I was wrong.

It's an anthology of very short statements from over sixty authors on how they write — specifically on the wierd habits or objects that have become an essential part of their process. Johathan Lethem's list of names, Jay McInerney's axe artifact, Lionel Shriver's toy Clippity, A.S. Byatt's "Antonia Writing Time!" notice, Jonathan Franzen's old and...more
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De Lettervrouw
De Lettervrouw rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
08/10/08

bookshelves: schrijfboeken
Read in March, 2008
Dit boek had beter "Where I Write" kunnen heten, want het bevat tientallen foto's van de werkplekken van bekende en minder bekende auteurs - van de imposante muur vol post-it-blaadjes van Will Self en het gipsen heiligenhoofd op de werktafel van Audrey Niffenegger tot de merklappen van overgrootoma in de schrijfkamer van Marie Darrieussecq en de babyfoto's boven het bureau van Alain de Botton. Let ook op het gestreepte kussen op de bureaustoel van de laatste.
Geweldig van vormgeving e...more
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Phillip
Phillip rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
08/27/07

bookshelves: books-on-writing
Read in August, 2007
recommends it for: graphically minded visualists who have a passing interest in literature
Neat looking book with strong graphics and layouts. Anglo-centric with a few hidden gems amongst generally interesting authors' descriptions of the quirky things that inspire, motivate, or accompany them as they ply their craft. Quick short entries from each author make this a "pick up and put down for later" book that doesn't require much time to enjoy. Would give it 4 1/2 stars if I could. A 1/2 deducted for authors that I would have chosen that weren't included...
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Mr.
Mr. added it
10/20/08


Tara
Tara rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
04/21/08

bookshelves: writing
A fun book. Short essays by writers about their writing spaces and obessesions accompanied by actual photos and drawings. A little like a coffee table book. I enjoyed reading it if only to laugh or not feel so weird about myself as a writer.
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Bonita Rose
Bonita rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
09/22/08

bookshelves: currently-reading
love this book, makes me realize other authors
out there are just like me!
We are all kindred spirits!
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Matt
Matt rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
08/05/08

bookshelves: 2008summer
This is a coffee table book about famous writers' writing habits. I got it free because it arrived damaged at my bookstore. It's pretty corny.
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Maria
Maria marked it as to-read
09/23/08

bookshelves: to-read

Laurie
Laurie marked it as to-read
09/11/08

bookshelves: library, non-fiction, to-read

Anna M
Anna M is currently reading it
09/10/08

bookshelves: currently-reading

Jill
Jill rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
07/13/07

bookshelves: currently-reading
neato pictures, not enough poets
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Paola
Paola added it
08/29/08


Vansistineyost
Vansistineyost marked it as to-read
07/31/08

bookshelves: to-read

Mo
Mo marked it as to-read
07/23/08

bookshelves: to-read

Amanda
Amanda rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
07/18/08


Natalie
Natalie rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
06/23/08

Read in October, 2007

Holly
Holly marked it as to-read
05/14/08

bookshelves: to-read

Frank
Frank rated it: 2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars
05/13/08


Megan
Megan rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
05/13/08

Read in May, 2008

Val
Val rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
04/14/08



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book data (includes all editions)

avg rating (all editions): 3.94 (18 ratings)
number of reviews: 7







other editions