Writer to Writer: Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing

by Cecil Murphey

Veteran author Cecil (Cec) Murphey made a double commitment when he started writing professionally: (1) He would never stop learning and improving, and (2) He would do whatever he could to help other writers. This book is part of that commitment.

In Writer to Writer, Cec shares valuable, bite-sized lessons he’s learned on his journey, such as:

* How to get beyond the amateur look;
* Why writing articles is a good place to start;
* The importance of showing and telling;
* Choosing the best words and tenses;
* Using dialog to move your story along;
* Writing from the right perspective;
* Keeping your reader happy;
* Working with publishers, editors, and agents;
* Making a living as a writer.

It’s possible to become an excellent writer, and the tips and advice provided in Writer to Writer from a master at his craft promise to guide you on the right path.

Note: WRITER TO WRITER is a previously published work, and is not substantially different from the original edition.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

434 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 4, 2013

About the author

Cecil Murphey has written or coauthored more than one hundred books, including the autobiography of Franklin Graham, Rebel with a Cause. A collaborator on the bestseller Gifted Hands with Dr. Ben Carson, Cecil resides in Georgia.

Reviews

[Dan Alatorre · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I read this book after attending a Florida Writer's Association mini conference where it was referred to several times by a presenter. I also immediately recommended it to an author friend who bought it and we read it more or less together, commenting back and forth as we did.)

Like Bird By Bird, if you are considering pursuing a career in writing but have not yet done so, this book will be of incredible service. If you have been writing for any amount of time and utilized online author groups or critique groups, much of what's in here will not be new - but to see it summed up and succinctly put together for easy reference, that's worth a lot. Having your writing beliefs and instincts validated by an authority with decades in the business, that feels good. When you aren't right, or are stumped, this will bail you out. Its many examples and easy to read style make it a great tool. The chants and other simplistic items encountered along the way - not everybody wants to write articles to start nor should they, and query letters aren't important for indie authors - aren't relevant, but overall the book is very helpful. I read it over two nights, underlined key reminders and messages, and could have returned it because I didn't read a lot of new insights there, but instead I'm happily keeping it for the reference tool I expect it to be.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wish I'd discovered this book a decade ago when I was learning how to write blogs, web content, newsletters, and books. Not only is this book full of information, the short lessons (usually less than a page) are easy to study and digest. You could read one per day or one topic per day -- there are plenty of ways to divide this book up.

I'm so impressed by the content and the ease of reading it that I've recommended it to my sister for her homeschooled children. They both want to be writers, and the practical advice in this book will help them develop those skills.

I will definitely start recommending this book to new writers regarldess of what they're writing. You're bound to find tips and information that will help, whether you're writing an article or a novel.

[Mary Kenyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the great pleasure of learning from Cecil at a workshop at a writer's conference. His down-to-earth style is refreshing and informative. If you aspire to be a writer, this book is a must-read. If you are already a writer, as Cecil suggests; never stop learning about writing. I've been writing for over 25 years and still learned a great deal from this book.

[Deidre Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book of writerly insights by a long time industry veteran and author with some 30 million books in print. As an agent, I've represented Cec some 17 years and had the privilege of both his friendship and his many insights, both spiritual and literary. This book offers so many great lessons for writers of all levels.

[Aria Gmitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

a straight from the heart must read for all writers.