Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity Third Edition/Expanded
by Ray Bradbury
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Read in August, 2007
If you're looking for the book that finally teaches you everything you ever wanted to know about writing - the book that will finally give you the key to the famous author's success - this one isn't for you. On one hand, no such book exists. On the other, Ray Bradbury's "Zen and the Art of Writing" is less about the craft and mechanics of writing than one man's passion and zeal for good old-fashioned fun stories.
Bradbury has been criticized for being overly sentimental and rightfu...more
Bradbury has been criticized for being overly sentimental and rightfu...more
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Read in March, 2008
recommended to Jim by:
Chuck Palahniukrecommends it for: Writer's seeking motivation and Bradbury Fans
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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I'm thankful for this book because I relate to it more than other writing books. Most writing books about the creative process talk about how it can be drudgery and how to get past that -- which I'm sure it is for many people -- but I've never felt that way. At one point in the book, Bradbury says he has never understood what other people mean by that himself, and he doesn't talk about writing as if he feels that way either. I found the book very inspiring and interesting, because of this. I...more
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Read in August, 2008
Inspiring. but not in the sense that ray bradbury really gives you anything concrete other than to relax and write every day. it's more about how to keep from being discovered dead in the middle of the shredded remains of your stories. and ray bradbury is freaking amazing. and he has been rejected! haha! but yeah, it's less like a plan and more like an example of what you could be doing if your mind works like bradbury's.
however, this makes ray bradbury even more intimidating than you would ...more
however, this makes ray bradbury even more intimidating than you would ...more
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One of the best books on the craft of writing. In this series of essays, Bradbury tells of the joys of writing and how one shouldn't approach words as one handles explosives, but they should be juggled, played with and never taken too seriously. In essence, this book teaches how splash about with words without pretension. Bradbury's joy is infectious with each essay and he clearly teaches by example. Even if you aren't a writer, it simply makes for an enjoyable read. It may even inspire the non-...more
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Read in August, 2008
Quite possibly the best book on writing and creativity that I've read thus far. The preface is a brilliant gem about finding what's important in your life, and "Run Fast, Stand Still, Or, The Thing At The Top Of The Stairs, or, New Ghosts From Old Minds" gives the best, most practical answer I've ever heard to the question "Where do your ideas come from?" It was well worth the 90 minutes or so it took to breeze through this book. I may actually do some writing today instead o...more
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Read in January, 2002
If you're at all acquainted with Bradbury's work, this is a worth-while, quick read. Because the essays herein are drawn from several publications over four or five decades, it can be informative to see what ideas Bradbury was able to recycle about his craft. The clearest message I got from this book is that if you want to write well, you must write copiously. I particularly liked his self-analysis of Dandelion Wine, revealing the real-lif
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recommends it for:
Writers and anyone who likes passionate writing
Forget that MFA program. Just read this! ;-) Seriously, agreat recommend for any writer (or non-writer, just because the book is so damn good). A collection of essays by Bradbury on the joys of putting the pen to paper- so much of it reads like poetry (which, by the way, is one of the author's recommendations for 'required' reading to any would-be writer). It's passionate, flows quickly, and you've got some gems of writing advice here.
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This book makes you want to write all day for the rest of your life. Shitty metaphors aside, it's near perfect. Filled with anecdotes and theories of writing from an unashamedly populist writer, it's inspiring to the point of ridiculousness. The main thing that I learned from this book is what any good writing book will tell you, but Bradbury beats it into your head with a clever mallet: Writers write. Do it already.
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recommends it for:
writers, creative types
This is a fabulous book that every writer should read! Bradbury shares all kinds of truths about why art is important and how to release your best work (hint: it is not by worrying about making money or making it into the NY Times Book Review).
There are so many good quotes in this book that I will note down for future thought. Even loved his poems at the end.
There are so many good quotes in this book that I will note down for future thought. Even loved his poems at the end.
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This is a short colleced of Bradbury's previously published essays on writing. It's just a joy to read -- Bradbury has such passion. He says himself that he writes his stories and novels in "a great surge of delightful passion." I especially liked the glimpses into the origins of some of his stories and ideas -- a LOT of his material came from his childhood!
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
Anyone who writes, wants to write, loves to write or loaths to write
Not only is Bradbury a master of science fiction, but he is also amazingly talented at essay writing and at keeping the reader involved in them. And finally, in this collection, he shares with his readers the source of his talent--within himself--and how every other writer can find theirs! Kudos, Bradbury! Another work of genius.
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I was disappointed in this book. It was very slight, and pretty much all of it I had read before as essays. If you've never heard Bradbury talk about writing then this is definitely worth it, but if you've read his previous essays on the subject you might not find much new.
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recommends it for:
People who really REALLY like Ray Bradbury
Although this book has some interesting (and at times esoteric) insight into how to write, I don't think Bradbury put this together to help other writers become better. It's more of a writer's memoir, and in this case, the writer can get pretty full of himself sometimes.
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Read in April, 2008
recommended to Sarah by:
CLNErecommends it for: writers
This collection of essays was written between 1939 and 1986. Bradbury discusses the joy of writing, listening to the subconscious and letting characters run ahead. Writing every day for years will help one learn to write well. Excellent book.
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Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
Any Writer.
This is another must read for any writer, Although many consider Bradbury to be only a science fiction writer, his stories are more about people than anything else, and his reflections on writing are fantastic.
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I am reading this for a class I am teaching, but also for personal benefit. Bradbury has a great way of getting to the heart of his stories, and it is interesting to read how he gets there. So far so good.
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Read in January, 2004
recommends it for:
writers, science fiction fans
Bradbury is a prolific writer, who, as my sister says, "vomits out ideas." This book is an intriguing insight into his method and philosophy. It made me want to rush out and read more of Bradbury's stories.
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Read in February, 2008
It's somewhat intimidating to read about Bradbury's prolific output and discipline, as well as the way he is able to take ordinary things and create stories that earn him a living. But it's also inspiring.
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
Those who enjoy writing
I thought I would hate reading a book written about writing, but I'm laughing my way Ray Bradbury's "Zen..." His sarcasm is splattered acoss the pages. His book is helpful and humorous at the same time.
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book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 3.98 (415 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 4.21 (39 ratings) number of reviews: 40popular shelves
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quote
"We must take arms each and every day, perhaps knowing that the battle cannot be entirely won, but fight we must, if only a gentle bout. The smallest effort to win means, at the end of each day, a sort of victory. Remember that pianist who said that if he did not pratice every day he would know, if he did not practice for two days, the critics would know, after three days, his audiences would know.
A variation of this is true for writers. Not that your style, whatever that is, would melt out of shape in those few days.
But what would happen is that the world would catch up with and try to sicken you. If you did not write every day, the poisons would accumulate and you would begin to die, or act crazy, or both."
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