Craft & Technique

by Paul Raymond Martin

Introducing the big secrets of writing--in handy, accessible, and inviting little books! -More than 300 practical writing insights, pieces of instruction, and nuggets of wisdom covering craft, inspiration, and publication -A friendly format that's value priced, for instant application anywhere, for anyone -Expert advice from an engaging and experienced "writer's writer" who knows the advice authors crave to hear Aspiring and published writers alike will welcome the practical and witty lessons in these engaging new books.

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2005

Reviews

[Ryk Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

March 2019 - I found so much to highlight in this book, tidbits that would make great little posters. I am thinking about buying this book for my writing friends :)

August 2012 - Good little book for writers to read. Nothing earth-shaking, but good advice to inspire writers.

[M.C. Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

While at a writing group, a couple dropped off a bunch of books on, what else, writing which included this little pocket book. I enjoyed the quotes sprinkled throughout and the tidbits that were, for the most part, point on. It didn't keep my interest like the other one I read, but it's suitable material for a beginner writer trying to find their voice...

[DB · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Pose your questions to people and you will get countless useless answers.”
― Dejan Stojanovic, The Sun Watches the Sun

“Evie wanted to cry. From fear. From exhaustion, yes. But mostly from the cruel uselessness, the damned stupid arbitrariness of it all.”
― Libba Bray, The Diviners

“...simply moderate giftedness has been made worthless by the printing press and radio and television and satellites and all that. A moderately gifted person who would have been a community treasure a thousand years ago has to give up, has to go into some other line of work, since modern communications put him or her into daily competition with nothing but world's champions.... A moderately gifted person has to keep his or her gifts all bottled up until, in a manner of speaking, he or she gets drunk at a wedding and tap-dances on the coffee table like Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers. We have a name for him or her. We call him or her an "exhibitionist." How do we reward such an exhibitionist? We say to him or her the next morning, "Wow! Were you ever drunk last night!”
― Kurt Vonnegut, Bluebeard

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

fiction writers. There are more than 300 thoughtful reasons to buy this book. It covers characterization, dialogue, plot, fiction techniques, style and voice.

There was no groundbreaking insight here, but I did enjoy it and think it worthwhile. The suggestions were good and forced you to look at your own work and possibly find weak spots. Some of what was covered I’ve read other places, but in this format it worked to jump start my thoughts and ideas, instead of making me want to take notes.

Included are quotes from established and diverse authors such as Mark Twain, David Sedaris,Virginia Woolf, Elmore Leonard, Vladimir Nabokov, and James Michener. There were also a few exercises sprinkled throughout and some solid suggestions for name choice and editing dialogue.

This is not an instruction book. It is more of an inspiration book. I read the whole thing in a hour or so and came away with a few new insights and ideas and a renewed excitement to start writing.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aphorisms. It's a book of aphorisms. Little snippets of ideas. It is a little book of little ideas on how to develop craft and technique. I'll leave it laying around and pick it up occasionally. Or not.

[Clifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bits of wisdom and inspiration for the writer. Mostly I liked the quotations from well-known writers.