The Writer's Digest Writing Clinic: Expert Help for Improving Your Work

by Kelly Nickell (Editor), The Writer's Digest

Experts on writing show aspiring authors how to analyze and improve their manuscripts, whether they write fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, covering everything from dialogue and plot to fiction proposals and nonfiction book overviews.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

250 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Clifford Wollum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cover letter, Synopsis, etc.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fifth time or more I have reread this book since it was published. It is one of those reference books I try to review at least once a year. Every time I do I relate to something new that I can use. I am focusing on nonfiction this time this month. November I will reread story telling.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives examples of various people's writing and how it could be improved to add more tension, have a better end or climax, how to maintain your POV, and so on. It covers fiction and non-fiction writing as well as how to write queries, synopses, and non-fiction proposals.

Again, most of this information wasn't new and I didn't read the non-fiction parts, but I still did learn some important things. You see, I've been reading books on how to write better because I've been trying to find the answer to a question I had about how to involve the reader emotionally in my novels. I found my answer in this book. I'd recommend this book if you're a writer, it's at your library, and especially if you don't have access to a critique group.

[Ally G]

I decided to shelve this book for the time being. It is geared toward revision and critiquing your work, and I'm still in the writing phase. I will check it out again when I have more solid work completed.

[Josh Hutton · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book covers everything from your opening hook to polishing up query letters, the coverage is shallow. I'd suggest this book as reference material to beginning writers, but it's not a fluid read.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful.

[Anne Marshall · Rating 1 out of 5]

I expected more from this book. Didn’t finish it.