Think Like a Writer: How to Write the Stories You See

by Tom Bentley

The book’s core is how to see the world as a writer. It supplies tools to find and cultivate your writer’s voice, that unique combination of attributes—sensitivity to language, storytelling and audience—by which writers see and define the world.

Think Like a Writer discusses writing at a structural level: how words work in sentences and how sentences work in stories, moving to how to use those elements and that writer’s stance to write across genres.

It also addresses how to deal with writing distractions, and offers a resources section with takes on practical matters: software, hardware and links to writing resources.

Stimulate your story hunting, get dizzy with language (but not so dizzy your writing wobbles), and get those stories written.

(Oh, the book is funny too.)

244 pages, Paperback

First published May 23, 2015

About the author

Hello. I hope this doesn't sound like a laundry list (and a soiled one at that) of me, me, me, but: I’ve run a writing and editing business out of my house for many years.

I've published hundreds of freelance pieces—ranging from first-person essays to travel pieces to more journalistic subjects—in newspapers, magazines, and online. (Venues include The Washington Post, Forbes, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Writer’s Digest, Sailing Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Wired, the San Francisco Chronicle, Writer's Market and many others.)

I have written several novels and nonfiction books, and I was the 1999 winner of the National Steinbeck Center’s short story contest, as well as a 2007 winner of the Lunch Hour Stories short story contest; I’ve also won three Traveler's Tales Solas awards and a few other nonfiction writing contests.

Sign up for my newsletter on my site—I'll discuss writing issues and craft, the freelancing life, provide links and resources, and talk about my latest projects and wiseguy ideas. Right now it's a monthly, though that might change.

I like to mix my literature with the occasional cigar and shot of whiskey. Come by and say hello!

Reviews

[Nicole.B]

Think Like a Writer: How to Write the Stories You See by Tom Bentley is a practical and insightful guide for aspiring and experienced writers alike. The book focuses on cultivating a writer’s unique voice, helping readers develop sensitivity to language, storytelling, and audience.

Bentley explores writing at both the structural and creative levels, explaining how words form sentences, sentences build stories, and how these elements combine with a writer’s perspective to craft compelling narratives across genres. The book also offers strategies for managing distractions, a useful resources section covering software, hardware, and helpful writing links, and injects humor to keep the guidance engaging.

Readers who are looking to strengthen their craft, discover new storytelling techniques, and gain practical tools for consistent writing will find Think Like a Writer both instructive and entertaining.

[Suzie]

Think Like A Writer is not only an appealing title for a How To Book but his personal stories will reach inside your head and help you recall your own stories to write. Bentleys catchy words and style harmonize with each page turner--filled with humor, wit and charm teaching you how language can soothe, erode or expedite emotions.
Tom Bentley has found his niche in writing, piece by piece. Also, many of his pages have footnotes.