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When Did I Become the Oldest Person in the Room? A practical guide for writers who write about life ...
A great source on practical application of grammar and usage for writers of all levels of skill and experience.
The novice writer who can’t properly use an adverb, or fails to differentiate between “fewer than” and “less than” will find value in this book.
But experienced writers will find a kindred soul in Ed Swartley, who uses this teaching podium to share how writing has changed his life ... and how his life has changed his writing.
"When Did I Become the Oldest Person in the Room?" inspires would-be writers to quit procrastinating and write with purpose. You'll find page after page of user-friendly advice, with an engaging narrative and easy, readable style.
How do you reconcile your personal life and published persona? How do you sit when you write? Don't your eyes get tired? What would Charles Dickens do?
Writing reflects your personality. Bad writing makes you look bad. Whether you are a student, a job applicant, a marketing staffer or a CEO, people inevitably judge you by your use (or butchery) of the English language.
Find real-world advice targeted to writers of fiction and nonfiction, corporate communicators, journalists and pleasure-writers. Improve your written documents, whether you’re composing a simple business letter or a complex work of non-fiction.
Learn to understand “Why writers write" – the writer’s state of mind – and probe philosophical questions that plague writers who find themselves cursing the perpetually blank page. Swartley explains the need to write, to get something down on paper, but then to edit, revise, rethink, test and rewrite until the document fully meets your needs.
Ed Swartley is a writer, writing coach, editor and publisher who advocates breaking a few rules from time to time. But he also clarifies simple and common confusions that separate amateurish writing from competent prose.
If you've not yet been introduced to your muse (or she flees without warning on a regular basis), this book is a must-read.
The novice writer who can’t properly use an adverb, or fails to differentiate between “fewer than” and “less than” will find value in this book.
But experienced writers will find a kindred soul in Ed Swartley, who uses this teaching podium to share how writing has changed his life ... and how his life has changed his writing.
"When Did I Become the Oldest Person in the Room?" inspires would-be writers to quit procrastinating and write with purpose. You'll find page after page of user-friendly advice, with an engaging narrative and easy, readable style.
How do you reconcile your personal life and published persona? How do you sit when you write? Don't your eyes get tired? What would Charles Dickens do?
Writing reflects your personality. Bad writing makes you look bad. Whether you are a student, a job applicant, a marketing staffer or a CEO, people inevitably judge you by your use (or butchery) of the English language.
Find real-world advice targeted to writers of fiction and nonfiction, corporate communicators, journalists and pleasure-writers. Improve your written documents, whether you’re composing a simple business letter or a complex work of non-fiction.
Learn to understand “Why writers write" – the writer’s state of mind – and probe philosophical questions that plague writers who find themselves cursing the perpetually blank page. Swartley explains the need to write, to get something down on paper, but then to edit, revise, rethink, test and rewrite until the document fully meets your needs.
Ed Swartley is a writer, writing coach, editor and publisher who advocates breaking a few rules from time to time. But he also clarifies simple and common confusions that separate amateurish writing from competent prose.
If you've not yet been introduced to your muse (or she flees without warning on a regular basis), this book is a must-read.
81 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2010
About the author
Ed Swartley
2 books3 followersEd Swartley is founder of Fixer Publications Group in Aurora, Colorado, which provides writing, editing and book-publishing services to businesses and individuals. Ed was editor of the Trinidad Chronicle-News and Vail Daily, as well as business editor of the Colorado Springs Sun newspaper. From there, he spent 20 years as a marketing executive in the education, banking and printing industries. He also is the editor of the Rocky Mountain Direct Marketing Association DirectLine magazine. And yes, the cover photograph of "When Did I Become the Oldest Person in the Room?" is a BW photo of the author in diapers, circa 1954.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 11, 2010
The core of Ed Swartley's message in When Did I Become the Oldest Person in the Room? is that writing is hard and not for the faint of heart. But if you really want to be a writer, then you need to practice your craft, read voraciously, and "love the chase for the perfect word." Swartley says, "If you don't love to write, give it up. It's much too hard, much too taxing, the rewards much too elusive and fleeting."
The book came about when Swartley discovered he wasn't the youngest person in the room anymore and that he had valuable writing and life advice to share. Oldest Person in the Room is geared mainly towards the aspiring writer, although more experienced writers may benefit from his encouragment and wisdom.
This guide is hybrid of a practical English guide since it also includes vignettes of Swartley's life and philosophy. He references speeches, especially the speeches of Ronald Reagon, penned by Peggy Noonan, Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and the Bible. You can tell that Swartley has fun writing about sentence length, slang, common word choice errors, adverbs (Living with Lee), puns, and idioms. He also includes a chapter on formatting, type-faces, white space that every writer should know. Keep this guide in a safe place when you feel overwhelmed by writers' block. Open it up to let Swartley's tough teacher talk entice you to "Just Do It!"
He mentions several times throughout the guide that writing is a solitary art and that one needs to take "I Breaks" to stay focused and fresh. He also mentions "Eye Breaks," to help your posture and remind you of your daily water consumption.
I would have preferred to have encountered more of his practical writing advice (The Lessons) closer to the beginning of the book, with some of his examples of good writing in the middle or towards the end. I found myself nodding my head at many of his tips, especially his 10-point diagnostic check used at the revision stage. This guide is good refresher for veteran writers, but beginning writers will be the ones who will most benefit from his tips.
***
Ed Swartley is a veteran of 12 years in daily newspaper journalism and 20 years as a marketing executive in education, banking and printing. The former Business Editor of the Colorado Springs Sun, he currently is Editor of the monthly Rocky Mountain Direct Marketing Association DirectLine. He provides professional services as an editor and writing consultant at www.fixadocument.com
The book came about when Swartley discovered he wasn't the youngest person in the room anymore and that he had valuable writing and life advice to share. Oldest Person in the Room is geared mainly towards the aspiring writer, although more experienced writers may benefit from his encouragment and wisdom.
This guide is hybrid of a practical English guide since it also includes vignettes of Swartley's life and philosophy. He references speeches, especially the speeches of Ronald Reagon, penned by Peggy Noonan, Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and the Bible. You can tell that Swartley has fun writing about sentence length, slang, common word choice errors, adverbs (Living with Lee), puns, and idioms. He also includes a chapter on formatting, type-faces, white space that every writer should know. Keep this guide in a safe place when you feel overwhelmed by writers' block. Open it up to let Swartley's tough teacher talk entice you to "Just Do It!"
He mentions several times throughout the guide that writing is a solitary art and that one needs to take "I Breaks" to stay focused and fresh. He also mentions "Eye Breaks," to help your posture and remind you of your daily water consumption.
I would have preferred to have encountered more of his practical writing advice (The Lessons) closer to the beginning of the book, with some of his examples of good writing in the middle or towards the end. I found myself nodding my head at many of his tips, especially his 10-point diagnostic check used at the revision stage. This guide is good refresher for veteran writers, but beginning writers will be the ones who will most benefit from his tips.
***
Ed Swartley is a veteran of 12 years in daily newspaper journalism and 20 years as a marketing executive in education, banking and printing. The former Business Editor of the Colorado Springs Sun, he currently is Editor of the monthly Rocky Mountain Direct Marketing Association DirectLine. He provides professional services as an editor and writing consultant at www.fixadocument.com
Displaying 1 of 1 review