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The Writer's Book Of Wisdom: 101 Rules For Mastering Your Craft

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All writers, regardless of experience, want tips on polishing their craft, but most don't have extra time to take writing workshops or even to read lengthy texts with confusing lessons. In The Writer's Book of Wisdom, novelist Steven Goldsberry teaches 101 concise--and proven--techniques on everything from tone to characterization that are guaranteed to get readers writing immediately. Each piece of quick instruction is geared toward both fiction and nonfiction writers of any level. Furthermore,Goldsberry's voice is lively and authoritative as he provides unintimidating guidance. The stunning visual design makes this book both fun to use and perfect as a gift Part writing coach and part inspirational muse, The Writer's Book of Wisdom will soon hone writers' skills and liberate their creativity.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published December 3, 2004

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Steven Taylor Goldsberry

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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Keri Payton.
156 reviews58 followers
June 9, 2011
[Writers] are, in fact, like Hobbits, about whom Tolkien said, “Their elusiveness is due solely to a professional skill.”

An extract from the introduction to one of my favourite books on writing: ‘The Writer’s Book of Wisdom: 101 Rules for Mastering Your Craft’ by Stephen Taylor Goldsberry.

This is a small, visual book which fits nicely into a bag and consists of three parts – approach, language and craft – and 101 rules to help you become a better writer.

From Rule #1: Learn The Rules Before You Break Them, to Rule #7: Fail, to Rule #17: Stop Reading This Book, to Rule #37: The “As” Clause Is For Amateurs, there are so many things to learn and think about. You can start from 1 and work your way to 101, or you can jump from one section to another.

The Writer’s Book of Wisdom is full of insightful and comical remarks and examples to help you process the information. The rules aren’t lengthy but are still full of enough insight to make you think. Every time I read this book, it opens up my mind and makes me re-evaluate my writing process. The word “rules” might make some reluctant to open it up but it isn’t at all a tell-off guide, it’s a little slice of book with a whole heap of knowledge and you can take and you can apply it how you please.

It is one of my favourite books on writing and I have no doubt it will remain so. It is a must-read for all writers, if not a must-buy.

(From my blog, Quill Café)
Profile Image for Deb Simpson.
Author 7 books19 followers
August 19, 2011
A Must Have on your writers shelf...

I have owned this book for 2-3 years, but had only scanned through it until last week

What a treasure I was missing by not reading it sooner!

Now I have sticky notes scattered across many pages...

Quick little bites of info that writers can remember and relate to!


Get one for yourself and one for a fellow writer!
Profile Image for Patience Lacy-smith.
2 reviews
December 1, 2021
Terrific little book to pop in the handbag and pull out when you’re in Starbucks or on the train going to your office. I’ve had my copy some years and now want to give it to a writer friend for Christmas. Really brilliant must-have for writers.
Profile Image for Trixy Lemell.
98 reviews16 followers
November 16, 2016
Quick little burst of tips, motivations, and inspiration. About an hour and a half read if going straight through. I spent my time taking notes and found that I knew much of it but it was presented in a new way, which made it clearer. There were things that I didn't know at all and I was grateful for that.

This isn't On Writing or Bird by Bird or even The Elements of Style. This is something I suggest you read if you get in a funk during the writing process but don't want prose weighing in and tinkering with your own style. There is just enough in here to keep your spirits up and things fresh in your mind and yet not consume your writing time.
Profile Image for Nicole Marie.
Author 3 books15 followers
September 6, 2016
The humorous snippets of advice regarding a writer's approach, language, and craft encourage readers to become the writers they've always dreamed of becoming. The book includes some practical rules to follow (or to break), and while these rules are nothing new to an English teacher (me), they provide good reminders about how to read and think like a writer. It may have even provided the final nudge I needed to start a serious writing project of my own.
Profile Image for Vickie Greenway.
32 reviews12 followers
February 9, 2014
I love this book! It is written in a concise and easy manner to read and retain the information. I applaud the author. As a writer, it is now the book I carry around with me, equal to my dictionary and thesaurus. I truly appreciate having it in my collection. I would absolutely recommend this book for every writer to read.
Profile Image for Grant Eagar.
Author 11 books4 followers
December 22, 2014
I have read this book four times now, usually a few pages a day. It has a lot of advice that is good to go over again and again. I loved the close the book and write. Because of its size and format it is not intimidating.

The only problem is that it is now falling apart so my suggestion would be to make it more durable since it is the kind of book you will be reading many times.
Profile Image for Natalie Jennings.
25 reviews6 followers
August 2, 2007
One of the BEST writing professors I had in college wrote this one...and it's really helpful! And a good size to carry with you.
Profile Image for Mel.
111 reviews
Want to read
July 28, 2009
buku datang hati senang...
art paper, banyak ilustrasi warna-warni, dan isinya padat. masuk deretan koleksi.
Profile Image for O. Stephen Peart.
Author 1 book2 followers
July 21, 2012
Really enjoyed reading this book. If you are a budding writer or interested in writing, this is a great source for reference and read. This book was very helpful in the publication of my first book.
Profile Image for GK Jurrens.
Author 23 books7 followers
March 5, 2018
This is a handy little reference volume.

Many of the tips on writing well are aimed at beginning writers, but some were thought-provoking and useful. Some handy reminders for experienced authors slapped me alongside the head to pay attention to the fundamentals.

I liked the book for the purpose it was intended.

GK Jurrens
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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