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71st out of 319 books
—
505 voters
Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew
Ursula K. Le Guin generously shares the accumulated wisdom of a lifetime's work.
Paperback, 180 pages
Published
April 1st 1998
by The Eighth Mountain Press
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I'm pretty skeptical of books on writing, if only because everyone seems to have written one. And so many of them come at you with flashy promises: "Sell Your Novel In Thirty Days!"
Prior to having read LeGuin's "Steering the Craft," I relied on three books, more or less:
1. Strunk and White - Elements of Style
2. Stephen King - On Writing
3. John Gardner - The Art of Fiction
In that order. Strunk and White covered the bare bones fundamentals; King's book covers the creative process and Gardner gets...more
Prior to having read LeGuin's "Steering the Craft," I relied on three books, more or less:
1. Strunk and White - Elements of Style
2. Stephen King - On Writing
3. John Gardner - The Art of Fiction
In that order. Strunk and White covered the bare bones fundamentals; King's book covers the creative process and Gardner gets...more
8 likes · like · see review
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This book is witty, entertaining and informative. If you've never had the chance to experience the wisdom of UKL here's your golden opportunity! It's not just for writers or writers to be, anyone who wishes to better understand the books they love and the authors who write them would benefit from this read.
Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew by Ursula K. Le Guin was about what I expected it to be. I was not entirely enthralled with reading it, although, I did find it fairly helpful. Le Guin's advice on improving the physical sound and flow of one's work was probably the section I took a liking to the most. The author set out to accumulate examples and techniques for improving one's writing and show how to use them effectively,...more
I really enjoyed Le Guin's positive mentoring voice in this little manual on story writing. The exercises are good ones - if you take them seriously enough to try them - and although many are basic, an aspiring writer reading the book probably isn't so superior that she can't get something beneficial from them. Le Guin provides excellent models for her sections on sound, syntax, repetition, and point of view; Mark Twain, Virgina Woolf, Rudyard Kipling, Charlotte Bronte, and J.R.R. Tolkien are ju...more
The book that will make you wish you could take a writing workshop with Ursula K. LeGuin.
This is the best book I've seen for authors, new or experienced, wanting to avoid the cliches and explore the realities of writing fiction that reaches, moves, delights the reader. A brilliant, creative, and original author herself, Le Guin in this book reminds us that craft rules are, rather, guidelines, that a change of point of view can open a new world, that a story in the traditional (and flexible) past tense will usually seem more present to us than a story told in present tense, and that...more
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This book does so many things for me I may have to read over, and over, and over, bits and pieces all of the time. It is first a very practical book for a writer who needs practice. Indeed: exercises from this book sparked me into fiction writing, when I before had said that creative nonfiction was my only oeuvre.
It is second a beautiful book full of bright and sunny and thundering bits of Le Guin's personality. Much like Lamott's book, I feel that I am actually learning from her rather than ju...more
It is second a beautiful book full of bright and sunny and thundering bits of Le Guin's personality. Much like Lamott's book, I feel that I am actually learning from her rather than ju...more
The structure of this book is quite simple but surprisingly useful. Each chapter covers a certain aspect of writing (point of view, description, dialogue, etc.), beginning with a brief overview, giving sample passages from other works, and ending with an exercise. The exercise comes with critiquing suggestions for those writing in groups and things to consider for those working alone. The occasional opinion essay comes up now and again, always labeled as such, so you know when you're learning a...more
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This book focuses more on style and playing with language than actually talking about plot. Each section contains some explanation about whatever point she's trying to make, some examples which she thinks exemplify that (and why), and then an exercise to try -- along with the suggestion to come back in a week and then think about a couple of points she raises afterwards. I both enjoyed and was challenged by the exercises, and though I don't think the results were the best things I've ever writte...more
Mar 23, 2008
Sarah
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
writers
Recommended to Sarah by:
Martine Leavitt
Shelves:
writers-resources
This book is full of practical exercises that Ursula Le Guin used in her writing workshops.
She said, “Skill in writing frees you to write what you want to write. It may also show you what you want to write. Craft enables art.”
My favorite exercises:
Writing a long paragraph, about a page, without punctuation. (I wasn't sure I could do this.)
Writing a sentence longer than 300 words!
Verb tense exercise. I changed verb tenses within a narrative. (Wow. I now look at verb tenses from a different angle...more
She said, “Skill in writing frees you to write what you want to write. It may also show you what you want to write. Craft enables art.”
My favorite exercises:
Writing a long paragraph, about a page, without punctuation. (I wasn't sure I could do this.)
Writing a sentence longer than 300 words!
Verb tense exercise. I changed verb tenses within a narrative. (Wow. I now look at verb tenses from a different angle...more
Pithy and practical. I'll come back to this again and again.
So many books on craft are written by critics, agents, or writers who've not written anything I care to read. But I've been reading Ursula K for 20 years now.
She keeps it to the point. Her thoughts on the various aspects of writing she covers are chewy and illuminating, and the passages she chooses as examples are spot-on. (And Woolf-heavy! Ah, so much Woolf.) As for the exercises, it's stuff that a beginning writer or someone who's pu...more
So many books on craft are written by critics, agents, or writers who've not written anything I care to read. But I've been reading Ursula K for 20 years now.
She keeps it to the point. Her thoughts on the various aspects of writing she covers are chewy and illuminating, and the passages she chooses as examples are spot-on. (And Woolf-heavy! Ah, so much Woolf.) As for the exercises, it's stuff that a beginning writer or someone who's pu...more
If you love to write, you must read this book! There are 10 brief lessons with exercises at the end of each. Even if you have been writing for a while, Le Guin's exercises are just what I needed when I'm stuck in a story. I loved this book because it is to the point, and even funny (just look at the title!). I found myself inspired by a master storyteller who doesn't take herself too seriously; it's filled with examples from literature and her wry humor. Sometimes goofy and always interesting, e...more
If you are a teacher of language arts at ANY level, you really need to read this book. While it is directed at writing groups, Le Guin's explanations of the structures and mechanisms of story-telling are clear and well-organized. Also, her appendix about, of all things, VERB FORMS is amazingly useful for students (early readers and writers, as well as EFL adults).
Excellent book. Ursula K. LeGuin is one of my favorite authors and she writes beautifully. This book has the most sophisticated and yet sensible analysis of different types and approaches to point of view I've ever read. Lots of good exercises that I haven't had a chance to try yet, but would like to.
1 like · like · see review
I always enjoy skimming through this book as I always find something new to help with my writing. I enjoy Le Guin's books, and her advice, and this book has helped to enrich much of my own writing over the years and I strongly recommend it to someone looking to write in a more flowing manner.
I read this book when it first came out and I have used it faithfully with students and for improving my own skills—marvelous exercises, great examples, good information. I have probably bought over a hundred copies. Le Guin will help you to fill your toolbox! Let her help you.
My writing group worked through this book many years ago. Le Guin's presentation of the elements of fiction is smart and unconventional. I'm usually uninspired by the writing exercises in books, but I enjoyed doing these and liked many of the short pieces I produced as a result.
Admittedly, it's been a couple years since I've read this book. After thinking back on my experience learning from the book, and now reflecting on others' experiences, I think it might just be time to sit down with Le Guin once more! Thanks to those who reminded me.
Le Guin offers really sharp analysis of writing techniques, and she offers great exercises for a workgroup. Her book has made me far more aware of these techniques, and it helps me understand their benefits and limitations.
I had to read this book for my Creative Writing class. It was easy to read, and the exercises at the end of each chapter were very helpful. I'm definitely going to hold on to this book so I can look back at it in the future.
an excellent read: well structured, addresses some of the trickier topics of writing in a friendly, yet no-nonsense manner.
and has perfectly pointed humour.
a must-read for those lost on the seas of creativity.
and has perfectly pointed humour.
a must-read for those lost on the seas of creativity.
Meh.
Technically, I didn't finish this book because I didn't read the whole thing. I ordered the book without really knowing what was in it.
Personally, I enjoy being inspired to write by books that talk about plot, structure, POV, etc. in depth. But I just want to read and be inspired. I don't want to read a ton of writing examples and do a bunch of writing exercises. About half of this book is writing examples and exercises.
I did find what she had to say about writing craft sound and helpful; t...more
Technically, I didn't finish this book because I didn't read the whole thing. I ordered the book without really knowing what was in it.
Personally, I enjoy being inspired to write by books that talk about plot, structure, POV, etc. in depth. But I just want to read and be inspired. I don't want to read a ton of writing examples and do a bunch of writing exercises. About half of this book is writing examples and exercises.
I did find what she had to say about writing craft sound and helpful; t...more
Excellent, thoughtful, beautifully written guide for writers from a woman whose own powers as a writer increased exponentially for decades. Not to be missed.
I've read a lot of books about writing in the past year and a half, and this was one of the absolute best, most useful, least condescending, actually helpful.
Borrowed from public library. Very good info. Not so much on the exercises. Technical stuff on Verb Forms. Good for reference.
Good, even if I hate Le Guin's snotty voice. It's an essential for anyone hoping to master the craft of fiction.
Not surprising that this would be one of the best craft books ever, direct and brilliant. Highly, highly recommend.
Sep 22, 2009
Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides
marked it as maybe-read-sometime
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Snail in Danger (Sid) by:
Suzanna
Shelves:
writing
Seems to be a practical, down to earth, and accessible guide for how to use language to create beauty and story.
Apr 24, 2008
Kath
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fiction writers and anyone who is a fan of LeGuin's works
Recommended to Kath by:
a writing instructor
Shelves:
non-fiction
Beyond pure enjoyment of LeGuin's voice and style, this book offers writing exercises to help discover/refine your own voice and style. Many of the exercises strengthen poetical writing, some prose, some help with voice and tense. All of them challenge you to stretch your skills, and all come with fabulous, often fascinating examples. I've worked through this book twice now, and have come away with something different each time.
It's a different sort of 'how to write' book ... in it, LeGuin treat...more
It's a different sort of 'how to write' book ... in it, LeGuin treat...more
Favorite quote:
"Once we’re keenly and clearly aware of these elements of our craft, we can use and practice them until--the point of all the practice--we don’t have to think about them consciously at all, because they have become skills.
"A skill is something you know how to do.
"Skill in writing frees you to write what you want to write. It may also show you what you want to write. Craft enables art.
"There’s luck in art. There’s the gift. You can’t earn that. You can’t deserve it. But you can...more
"Once we’re keenly and clearly aware of these elements of our craft, we can use and practice them until--the point of all the practice--we don’t have to think about them consciously at all, because they have become skills.
"A skill is something you know how to do.
"Skill in writing frees you to write what you want to write. It may also show you what you want to write. Craft enables art.
"There’s luck in art. There’s the gift. You can’t earn that. You can’t deserve it. But you can...more
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As of 2011, Ursula K. Le Guin has published twenty-one novels, eleven volumes of short stories, four collections of essays, twelve books for children, six volumes of poetry and four of translation, and has received many awards: Hugo, Nebula, National Book Award, PEN-Malamud, etc. Her recent publications include the novel Lavinia, an essay collection, Cheek by Jowl, and The Wild Girls. Forthcoming...more
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