The Writer's Book of Wisdom: 101 Rules for Mastering Your Craft

by Steven Taylor Goldsberry

The Perfect Source for Instruction and Inspiration! Part writing coach and part personal muse, The Writer's Book of Wisdom shows you how to hone your skills and liberate your creativity. Novelist and poet Steven Goldsberry offers 101 thoughtful, concise, and proven techniques to help you with everything from first-draft outlines and plot development to precise word choice and correct sentence structure. Whether you're writing fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, The Writer's Book of Wisdom shows you how to overcome mental roadblocks, infuse your language with energy, and master the essential elements of the craft. With technical guidance and heart-felt motivation, this book is a must-have resource guaranteed to teach and inspire.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 3, 2004

Reviews

[Keri Payton · Rating 5 out of 5]

[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)

[Deb Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Patience Lacy-smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Trixy Lemell · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Nicole Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Vickie Greenway · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Grant Eagar · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Natalie Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mel]

buku datang hati senang...
art paper, banyak ilustrasi warna-warni, dan isinya padat. masuk deretan koleksi.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of great advice who anyone who writes or wants to write.

[O. Stephen Peart · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Laura Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

cool little tool.

[GK Jurrens · Rating 3 out of 5]

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