Product Description
We all have stories to tell about our lives and the lives of people we know. Rebecca Rule and Susan Wheeler help new and experienced writers commit those stories to paper. ... Read more

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Content Summary

Technical writing is an essential form of straightfoward communication that allows readers to accomplish a specific task using easy-to-understand directions.

Our book also dispels the myth that all technical writing only pertains to user manuals; rather, technical writing covers a host of purposes including interoffice memos, e-mail, and other basic forms of daily communication.

Part I of our multi-purpose textbook is written, designed, and sequenced for an introduction to technical writing course.  Taking into account that most students in such a course are not familiar with technical writing, or consider it a form used only by scientists or ""techies,"" the material in Part I is introductory in nature. Only the most relevant details that students would need to apply to their own writing projects are examined.  Each of the sections in Part I is developed on a much more advanced level in Part II, where students in an introductory course can refer if they have an interest in learning more about a given topic.

Part II also has a dual purpose in that it can be used as a textbook for several advanced technical writing courses or as a technical writing handbook or desk reference for working technical writers--it presents full coverage of topics and issues in technical writing.  Topics that a technical writer would encounter on the job are covered with precise detail. Students in an introductory technical writing course have to know how design affects the overall readability and success of a document; Part I will introduce students to the concepts of basic page design. However, in Part II, students will go beyond the basics and learn details about the kind of document design that is expected in a professional setting. Part II also discusses digital document collaboration, professional development, and research methods to give the book an innovative, multi-faceted approach. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Bible
this book will no doubt be kept very close to me at all times. and thank you to the seller who sent me this book in such good condition. technical writing will definately help me obtain the type of job that i want.

clear, concise, and helpful
This text is a good introduction and overview of a subject that can be daunting. It is well-organized and uses clear examples to aid the reader. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (64)

Renegade Writer Rocks!
This book is packed with a lot of great information. Especially for writers of all levels, but especially for beginning writers. Formichelli and Burrell have a winning combination of heart and smarts in the book. I think it is a required addition to any writer's library.

This book is amazing!
I am just an average Joe... a mom who works full-time at a job I can't hardly stand, and who dreams of becoming a known writer.I've read various books from the library on freelance writing, and how to write proper queries, and other various topics. None of them have filled me with confidence like this book has.

These women did an excellent job of bringing their sense of humors into the book, which really helped keep my interest.I even laughed out loud a couple of times. They seemed to cover pretty much every base out there that needed to be covered.

I haven't put a lot of effort into trying to get out there and find work, because I really had no hopes of getting anywhere. However, after reading their book, I am psyched, and ready to put forth some real effort. I hope to be able to come back in the near future, and leave another comment, hopefully telling my success story from following this books advice.

Great job ladies!

Good resource for the freelance writer
"The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success" by Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell is a motivating book about breaking the traditional "rules" of freelance writing to prosper and do it your own way.

Both authors are freelance writers and they share examples of how they broke the traditional "rules" of freelance writing to gain more assignment and make more money in a career they are passionate about.The 200 page plus book is easy to read and contains many tips for the aspiring freelancer as well as the seasoned pro.

There are chapters on breaking into the business, generating ideas, sending queries without fear, contracts, how to find information, doing interviews,breaking grammar rules, getting paid, and your renegade attitude and how to thrive and not just survive.There are also some good references in the Appendices.

A number of the chapters concluded with a profile of a freelance writer who shared some of their renegade strategies that had worked for them.A couple of these writers were Melody Warnick, Jennifer Lawler, and Kelly James-Enger.Hearing the perspective of these other writers was not only informative, but also motivational and inspiriting.This would especially be true for the new writer.

There are nuts and bolts about the writing business that are not covered in this book, but that was not the author's purpose.It would be good for an aspiring writer to read some of the nuts and bolts and traditional rules type books, but then read this to realize that often rules are made to be broken, and when you do break them it is not the end of the world, but sometimes the beginning to bigger and better things.

I've recently started to increase the freelance work I do, and I'm glad I read this book.There are some great ideas and examples for any freelance writer.So, all you need to do is read the book and become a Renegade Writer today.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer. Alain Also wrote a series of articles called Lessons From The Apprentice.

Insightful tips for beginners
This book provided insightful tips on how to approach a freelance career.It offers practical tips based on the actual experiences of the authors, who are established freelancers.I would recommend this book to anyone thinking about launching a career in freelance writing.I hope to get my career going soon.

Renegade is breath of fresh air
I liked this book...from the title throughout!Finally a book on Freelancing that is honest about there really not being a FORMULA in getting published.It was insightful and refreshing.I look forward to another of their books (I hope there will be another!) ... Read more

Product Description

The Right Phrase for Every Situation…Every Time

These days, it's not enough to work for a good cause or worthy organization. If you want to receive funding from a corporation, community, foundation, or government institution, it all comes down to one thing: your proposal. With hundreds of ready-to-use “Perfect Phrases,” you'll quickly know the right words to use for the three major sections of every successful grant proposal:

• How to introduce yourself, your program, and your achievements
• How to describe your goals-and what funding will accomplish
• What you should include as your supporting documents

With this comprehensive, user-friendly approach to grant writing, you'll be able to tackle the various proposal formats, create a professional purpose statement, and back up your plan with solid data. Plus, you'll discover some insider secrets that will really get the attention you want-and the funding you need.

Customer Reviews (5)

Good book.
This book has a variety of great tips on writing successful proposals with samples taken from funded proposals.I keep it with me every day when I am working on grant applications.

easy reference
If you are lost in the middle of writing a grant proposal, this book can give you some ideas.

poor service to get book
ORDERED THE BOOK AND WAS TO BE SHIPPED AUGUST 13TH BY US POST OFFICE, THROUGH DVDLEGACY AND TO THIS DATE...THE 2ND OF SEPTEMBER STILL HAVE NOT RECIEVED IT.THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT KEEP SINGING YOU A SONG AND TAKE THEIR SWEET OLD TIME TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS,DON'T EVEN BOTHER ORDERING THE BOOK....YOU WILL PROBABLY NEVER GET IT.OUR POSTAL SYSTEM ISN'T THE WORLDS BEST BUT IT DOES NOT TAKE 3 WEEKS TO SEND ANYTHING IN THE USA.

Perfect Phrases for Writing Grant Proposals is Perfect
I recently took a job where one of my focuses is to seek out and write grants.I have had some experience but not to this magnitude.I was researching books to help make sure I met the criteria for the technical writing and ran across this book.It was great and gave me some ideas as to how to structure specific areas of my proposal.It was well worth the purchase price as far as I'm concerned and I know that I will use it again in the future.

Perfect Phrases
This is another great book by Dr. Beverly. She makes everything so easy for those just starting out their grant writing journey or for those who have been at it for a while and just need a litle push. As always, the book was informative, relevant, and a must have for your grant writing tools collection. ... Read more

Product Description
This versatile guide will improve the skills of virtually every type of writer, from professional copywriters to students. Its interactive lessons entertain as they inform, encouraging writes to test their knowledge, learn new techniques and pay attention to detail. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Words Matter
Words matter.Or, as Bill Hybels says in his nifty book,Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs, "Language Matters."

I write a weekly eNews for my nonprofit clients--and review a book a week. So I wondered, what gem-of-a-book should I put on display to celebrate the 200th edition of my eNews? I have a five-foot stack of prospects behind my office door. More choices than a Baskin-Robbins megastore.

I decided that words matter--so the winner is a book to empower my writing (maybe yours too). After 200 book reviews, I fear my color commentaries are growing stale. I needed new juice--and Stephen Wilbers' "Keys to Great Writing" quenched that thirst.

Wilbers writes a syndicated newspaper column on effective writing. Those weekly insights were my guarantee that his book held promise. It met my test: fast-moving, creative, 50 or more underlined pages. In a word: buried treasure. (Oops. Two words.)

Much of the writing we endure today is shockingly bad: website grammar and typos (it's versus its), rushed emails, smudged business letters, boring "From the CEO" columns, news reports with no news--is there no shame?

Wilbers begins with a self-assessment on your writing expectations.Set a goal:
Level 1: Basic Competence
Level 2: Above-Average Competence
Level 3: Exceptional Competence
Level 4: Extraordinary Competence
Before you check Number 4, here's the standard: "To write with such extraordinary insight and beauty that people will be reading what I have written one hundred years from now." (How about...a week from now?)

His five keys to great writing will surprise you: Economy, Precision, Action, Music and Personality.Hum along: "One of the most important things you can do to sharpen your style is to reawaken yourself to the sound of your words, to tune your ears to the rhythm and cadence and flow of your language. It is in this context that you should ask, How can I make this music more pleasing to my readers? What techniques can I learn from accomplished writers? What techniques can I discover on my own?"

Trust me--no decent book on great writing would dare bore you.This book informs and inspires: how to avoid three common patterns of monotonous sentence structure; why you should follow a long sentence with a short, snappy one; don't stack nouns. And when writing a letter of apology--there's one cardinal rule: "Don't bury your apology."

This Minnesota-based writing coach (check out his columns and the "Better Writing in Six Weeks" email course) adds, "Think of the last part of a sentence as a punch line to a joke: It counts more than the beginning and the middle. Your success--both as a writer and a comedian--depends on it."

He tackles business writing by helping you wrestle with the six basic purposes for writing, including "to persuade your reader" (think board reports, donor letters and requests for raises). Then (and this is refreshingly on target) think about your audience: Who are they? What do they know? What do they feel? And how can you motivate them? (Four cheers from the Customer Bucket!).

Words matter.In The Wall Street Journal's Saturday column, "Word Craft," a new contributor is featured each week on the art of writing and speaking. Hmmm. Must be important to business leaders. (Boring? Not! A recent column by Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams was hilarious. Notice that I wrote "hilarious," preferable to the worn-out "LOL.")

Recently, in The Wall Street Journal's "Word Craft" column, Alexander McCall Smith (author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series) comments on the art of writing:"The real aim, of course, is conciseness. Concise prose knows what it wants to say, and says it. It does not embellish, except occasionally, and then for dramatic effect. It is sparing in its use of metaphor. And it is certainly careful in its use of adjectives. Look at the King James Bible, that magnificent repository of English at the height of its beauty. The language used to describe the creation of the world is so simple, so direct. `Let there be light, and there was light.' That sentence has immense power precisely because there are no adjectives. If we fiddle about with it, we lose that. `Let there be light, and there was a sort of matutinal, glowing phenomenon that slowly transfused, etc.' No, that doesn't work."

Where do you go for inspiration on effective writing? Words matter. When is the last time you asked for feedback on your speaking and writing?

One of the best if not the best!
Stephen Wilbers book explains what great writing is and how to achieve it.Lots of clear examples to help you improve your writing.I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to write clearly and convincingly.

Keys to a Great Beginning
This is a good book for Writer's Workshop I am taking. I feel, I will benefit off this book. I think, it was a great purchase.

Brilliant and illuminating
How do I pay rightful tribute to Keys to Great Writing? It's not enough to say this book is worth far more than its cover price.
Author Stephen Wilbers earned his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, and he knows an awful lot about words and how they work. Although this book is written as a guide to improving nonfiction writing, the principles conveyed can be applied to any type of writing, including fiction.
Wilbers's approach to punctuation--in the chapter titled Music--is a call to celebrate what colons and semicolons, dashes and periods, exclamation marks and commas can accomplish for a writer. "Listen to your voice. Punctuate your beat," Wilbers advises. Other chapters guide us through subjects such as Action, Personality, Purpose, Organization, Drafting, and Revising.
Keys to Great Writing is a work of erudition worthy of respect from academics, and yet it can be read and understood by people with a high school education. Wilbers doesn't use his position as a scholar to shut out intuition, either, reminding the reader to "allow your heart to suggest an unexplored path."
You've got to read it for yourself to get the full benefit. Highly recommended!

Best 1 volume book on better writing.
Wilbers is nationally recognized columnist on writing.His book combines the best ideas and examples on how to write simply, and on how to write well.He captures the heart and flavor of numerous other books on writing and rhetoric, and presents them in a simple, readable, understandable style.I cannot recommend this book enough.It is not only an easy read, but an enjoyable one.The examples of good and bad writing clearly illustrate a running theme in the book:It is not just what you say, but how you say it that matters in effective writing.My law partners liked this book so much that we distributed copies to partners and associates alike, and I personally gave copies to everyone in my family attending high school or college. At the present price, buying this book is a "no-brainer."This book is also well indexed, which makes it useful as a reference. I keep a copy on my desk. ... Read more

Product Description
Drawing on case studies from textbooks from school, college and professional markets this guide to textbook authorship shows prospective authors how to: research ideas for publication; plan and design; write effectively; support textbooks with websites; and find and work with publishers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Serviceable Guide for Textbook Authors
Anthony Haynes' "Writing Successful Textbooks" is a much needed discourse on writing exposition for an audience of learners, especially students enrolled in college courses, from the perspective of an acquisitions editor in textbook publishing. Haynes links his suggestions and cautionary advice to models of learning theory and pedagogical frameworks as well as to best practices and realities in the textbook publishing industry today. This title is a practical, highly readable, serviceable guide for textbook authors.

Great for everyone
Although this focuses on textbook writers, it's also useful for editors, or anybody who needs to structure text so that people learn from it.

Great for everyone
Although this is for textbook writers, it's also useful for editors. Or anybody who needs to structure text so that people learn. ... Read more

Product Description
The subject of mathematical writing has been infused with life once again by Nick Higham as he follows up his successful HWMS volume with this much-anticipated second edition. As is Higham's style, the material is enlivened by anecdotes, unusual paper titles, and humorous quotations. This handy new volume provides even more information on the issues you will face when writing a technical paper or talk, from choosing the right journal in which to publish to handling your references. Its overview of the entire publication process is invaluable for anyone hoping to publish in a technical journal.

The original book has been completely revised, making use of feedback from readers as well as Higham's own large file of ideas based on his experiences in reading, writing, editing, examining, and supervising theses.

The most obvious changes to this second edition are the new chapters: "Writing and Defending a Thesis," "Giving a Talk" (which adds to the existing material on preparing slides for a talk), "Preparing a Poster," and "TeX and LaTeX" (including tips on their use for typesetting mathematics and detailed discussions of BibTeX and indexing). Numerous mathematical symbols in the AMS fonts have been added to Appendix B.

Among the new material in existing chapters, the section "How to Referee" in the chapter "Publishing a Paper" offers advice on this important aspect of the publication process. The chapter "Writing a Paper" suggests formats for referencing items on the World Wide Web.

The renamed chapter "Aids and Resources for Writing and Research" contains a new section, "Library Classification Schemes," which will help readers find their way around libraries. This chapter's material on the Internet was completely rewritten in light of the World Wide Web.

Separate author and subject indexes are now provided; the bibliography has been updated to include many new editions of books, and more than 70 new references have been added. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Writing Mathematics
That mathematicians value excellent writing becomes apparent when one considers the number of expository writing prizes awarded by their organizations and who has won those awards. The Handbook of Writing for the Mathematical Sciences offers a comprehensive, precise presentation of the significant areas a mathemetician or technical editor of mathematical papers must deal with from the use of dictionaries and thesaursus, through what makes for excellent mathematical writing, style, making presentations, publishing, and much more. In fact, it may try to cover too much. This book is one to keep handy next to your writing area for easy reference. ... Read more

Product Description
A quick and handy, easy to use guide to writing an essay. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent essay book
Strategies for Writing Successful Essays is an excellent book for the beginning essayist. It is written in clear, consise wording not 'college speak'. I was totally lost until I picked up a copy of this book. It evenhas suggestions for essays. Only 200 pages so it's easy to find what youare looking for. ... Read more

Product Description

The Art of Editing continues to be the standard by which editing texts are judged, offering the most comprehensive and up-to-date discussion of editing available. Traditional newspaper editing forms the foundation of the text, while attention is also placed on the other areas in which journalists are increasingly finding jobs: online media, corporate magazines, broadcasting, public relations and advertising.

Product Description
When writers make their descriptions fresh, they move their stories forward and imbue their work with atmosphere. Monica Wood helps squeeze the greatest flavour from language and provides insight into how detail, editing, style, point of view and original word depictions can be used to create unforgettable images that will stick with readers for a lifetime. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (30)

Troubleshooting kit for a writer.
Consider this book an owner's manual and troubleshooting kit on the use of description, point of view and dialogue. Seriously. There are a handful of books that I have read and feel that I am better equipped to write, and this book is on that list. I particularly found the sections on forward motion and point of view enlightening, and I find myself referencing this book quite a bit now. Wood will help you become a better writer.

Not the usual
Monica Wood takes on some of the classic proverbs of fiction-writing--like "show don't tell" and "never use adverbs"--and makes a convincing case for moderation.

She covers a range of styles from the minimalist to descriptions that run for a couple of paragraphs, all the way up to the "set piece" scene which gets its own discussion in chapter 3. You'll have to pick and choose based on your personal style--I myself can't imagine *ever* intentionally writing a set piece--but the information is there.

She also makes a point of showing how description combines and contrasts with the other parts of narrative, and offering her opinions (which seem pretty reasonable to me) as to when to show and when to tell.

Special topic: It seems like every book on writing goes on about Point of View, and unless you're a total beginner you probably know all of that stuff. But Chapter 5 goes into PoV in a depth that I've never seen before, with explicit recommendations for what types of stories work and don't work in various PoVs. She discusses not just the strengths and weaknesses of each possible choice of PoV but also gives specific suggestions on how to work with the weaknesses. She even has about two pages discussing second-person PoV, a topic that is usually dismissed with a "nobody does it".

Wood's book isn't entirely anti-establishment, but there is enough unorthodoxy in there to make this an interesting addition to my collection of writing books.

Great tips and ideas
I've read several of the writer's digest books and this was one of the better written ones.I use a highlighter to underline useful points and in Description I found at least 30 ideas/suggestions for future consideration. Some of the material I have seen elsewhere but that's to be expected.I found her style to be very readable, sometimes funny, informative, and easy to comprehend.If you're interested in writing novels or short stories, I would recommend you make this book part of your library.

Description
I highly recommend this book if you are writing your first novel.Contains valuable, insightful information.

Not Terrible, Not Great
This it one of those books that I can neither thing of a real good reason to recommend it, nor can I think of a good reason to tell people to avoid it, so it gets three stars. Monica Wood covers the topic fairly well and has some good suggestions, but there isn't much unique matterial in the book. As I read, I found myself skipping sections of the book and I don't feel that I miss anything by doing so. She has some different views about some things than other authors, most notably the "show, don't tell" rule. But few authors agree on that rule. She seems to have more of a character driven approach to writing, so if you do also then you may find her book more helpful than one written by someone with a plot based approach. The occassional jewels that are scattered throughout the book make it worth buying for many people, but others may find it difficult to read. ... Read more

Product Description
Author Marcia Golub cheerfully blends encouragement and humor with hard-earned advice to offer a balanced approach to gaining more satisfaction from the writing craft. Writers relate to Golub's experiences while finding solutions to their writing dilemmas, including:* How to balance parenthood and the need for uninterrupted writing time* Techniques for seeing ideas through to completed stories * Ways to maintain confidence in spite of rejection* How to write journals, notes and more--even when away from the deskPart information, part inspiration, with I'd Rather Be Writing, writers will find everything they need to have fun as they pursue the writing hobby or career they love. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

A Humorous and Practical Guide
I spend way too much time reading books about writing rather than writing. But this book stands out from the dozens of books I've read over 20 years. What impresses me the most is this: It has specific suggestions on the process of incubating ideas, selecting the best ones, and developing those ideas.

As with many books on writing, it offers pep talks and suggestions on technique. But the one thing I found in this that I've not seen in other books is what I've noted above. I believe it will help me move forward to finishing some projects I've had sitting around here for ages.

I'd Rather Be Writing
I've read or skimmed several books about writing over the last few years and found that most of them led to a paralyzing depression, those sit-down-and-outline-the-whole-story-and-write-ten-pages-about-each-character-before-you-type-a-word-type books. I'm not saying such methods don't work--what do I know--or that successful writers don't write that way--they probably do. But for *me*, even considering adopting such a regimen deadens any urge I might have to hit the keyboard.

Marcia Golub's I'd Rather Be Writing, on the other hand, is the furthest thing from disheartening. The author offers practical advice about writing that the average mortal can imagine following--advice about note-taking and imposing deadlines on oneself and keeping numerous projects, in varying stages, going at once. The principal piece of advice one comes away from the book with, however, is a simple one, that if you want to be a writer, you have to sit down every day--or as close to every day as you can--and write *something* for some length of time. This is not earth-shattering information, of course, and indeed none of what Golub has to say is particularly profound. Nor did it have to be said at such length. The book could probably get the same information across in half the pages.

But that wouldn't have been as much fun. Golub's writing is pleasingly breezy and occasionally funny. ("I know there are marriages where husband and wife both work at home. I also know there are marriages where husbands push wives out of windows and wives sprinkle arsenic on their husbands' bowls of pasta. I'm not saying the two are related, but you have to wonder.") She lets her personality and her life circumstances spill onto the page. She writes about her own work habits, descriptions of which for some reason always fascinate me. Most importantly, Golub somehow manages to be inspirational. She makes you want to follow her advice, to sit down and write *something*, both because you really want to and because, as she might say, death is just around the corner. (Golub seems unusually aware of her own mortality.) writers looking for a kick in the pants, as the kids say, may well find inspiration here.

Reviewed by Debra Hamel, author of Trying Neaira: The True Story of a Courtesan's Scandalous Life in Ancient Greece

I think women writers will relate more
I read the reviews and dated though some might be, I must say that I agree with all but one.This book was the gentle push that I needed to set aside my excuses and get back to my craft.Marcia has written this book in such a way that I no longer felt alone and probably not meant to be a writer since I struggled so hard sometimes about doing it.Her perspective is completely in-line with so many women writers--a mother, trying to juggle children, home and family time.I can see how some men might not take this book as seriously, but perhaps that's because they come from a different place.But as a mom and a writer with few writer friends, this book made me feel good about myself again and not so isolated in my struggle and passion of writing.

Keep up the great work, Marcia.I wish you were a neighbor.I'd pine to walk next door to talk to you while trying to finish my novel.

Buy this for a writer you love - Indispensable!
I have been a semi-professional writer for about six years now, but have always tended to shy away from `How To' books for writers. Rather than set my mind free and allow the ideas to flow, I find they just leave me scared that my structure is all wrong, I don't know my character's motivations, and what have you. They tell me how to write, not *what it is to write* - a crucial difference. This book addresses not the technical aspects of writing, but the practical ones - like managing to fit writing into a life which already involves cooking, cleaning, picking up kids from school, and the writer's nemesis - procrastination! (heck, why do you think I'm sitting here writing a review on Amazon when I should have started my writing three quarters of an hour ago?)

Marcia Golub's book is the only book on writing which makes me want to rush to my computer and start typing as soon as I have finished a chapter. I bought it after a bout of writer's block which saw one and a half screenplays and half a novel languish on my hard drive for months, while I quietly rolled up into a quivering ball vowing to never write ever again. After reading `I'd Rather Be Writing', my only question is: what was I so scared of? Why did I avoid working on what I love doing?

Any writer, amateur or professional, will be able to sympathise with the situations Golub sets out. It's bizarre but true - writers will sometimes do anything to get out of the act of writing and more importantly, putting their work out into the open where it may succeed or fail. It is all too easy to fall into bad habits, and disconnect yourself with the reasons you fell in love with writing in the first place. Golub helps you break these habits, and form productive ones in their place.

Her writing style is conversational and witty - she makes you feel as if you're an old pal who has stopped over at her place for a nice cup of coffee and a bit of advice. Working through her hints and tips and following her advice, I've now finished both screenplays, and am looking forward to completing the novel rather than dreading it.

If you have a family member or loved one who drives you crazy as they rant at their computer, tear their hair out, wear a track into the carpet with their pacing, and insist on giving the dog its fifth walk of the day - I highly recommend you pick up a copy and place it on their bookshelf right next to the Strunk and White. It'll be a reward for you as well as them!

A must read for "serious" writers.
If you're a "serious writer" - the type who sits down at thekeyboard and opens up a vein, as Red Smith would say - you need I'd RatherBe Writing.

You need this book because you're probably takingyourself too seriously, as writers tend to do. Marcia Golub offers balm foryour wounded soul via sound advice and a fantastic sense of humor.

The mixture makes for a book that's helpful, and often hilarious.

While the style may be breezy, there's plenty of meat. I found the sectionson writer's block, meeting a rigid self-imposed deadline, and "writingthrough" very helpful. True, it's advice that you've probably heard orread before. But Marcia presents ideas and exercises that are fresh andgenuinely useful.

For instance, here's one of her more seriouspassages about making progress:

"Some people tell themselvesthey can't write without a perfect beginning. They're looking for thatopening sentence, that great scene, the bit that's going to bring the wholetogether. And so they can't start. But they can't get that beginningwithout actually beginning. No amount of kvetching and moaning and pushingis going to get it out of them. The only chance one has of finding thatbeginning is beginning. This sounds like a koan, some kind of irritatingwisdom along the lines of the sound of one hand clapping. I don't mean toannoy you. There's no other way to say it. You start by starting. You giveup perfectionism. What has perfectionism done for you lately? It's kept youfrozen in the dread of that first step. Instead of giving into that feelingyou say: okay this isn't how I want it to go, but it's a start. Then youtap out an inane sentence or two or two hundred . . . eventually it willstart to flow . . . by the time you get to the end you will know or atleast have a better idea how to begin."

I would venture to saythat this is Ms. Golub's best selling book. By her own admission, hernovels have not fared well. Maybe she should adapt the muse she followed inthe writing of this book to her fiction. If she put this voice and wit intoa novel, there's plenty of potential. ... Read more

Product Description
Collection of forty five articles from members of the Horror Writers Association covering most aspects of crafting tales of horror. Also covers the business of publishing in the horror genre and the need for an agent. Includes an interview with Stephen King.Amazon.com Review
Oftentimes how-to books fall short because they spend too much time with the basics and not enough time explaining the nuances of their subject. Writing Horror, by the Horror WritersAssociation, doesn't fall into that trap; the authors of the 39 articles in this anthology assume you can write, and thus they concentrate on getting the most out of working in the horrorgenre. The result is more like an inspirational guide than a how-tobook. Of specific interest is the small section on writing horrorcomic books, featuring essays on E. C. Comics by Dan Chichester (whohas done several Clive Barker adaptations as well as a well-receivedrun on Daredevil), and "Breaking All Codes" by DavidQuinn (who broke all sorts of taboos in his bloody and sexyFaust). Other authors include Joe R. Lansdale, Joyce CarolOates, and the one and only Harlan Ellison. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Insightful advice
I'm convinced that no one, not even the most respected writers in horror, can teach a person how to write; writers learn by doing, picking up lessons as they go.Based on the contents of this excellent and informative book, I suspect editor Castle agrees.Instead of the usual assortment of articles with detailed instructions, Writing Horror presents thirty nine pieces by professionals explaining both the diversity of the horror genre and how they practice their craft--readers are treated to articles like "Mirror, Mirror:Drawing Characters and Stories from Life," by Wayne Allen Sallee, "Guerilla Literature:Plotting the Horror Novel," by Nancy Holder, "Splat Goes the Hero," by Jack Ketchum, and "What You Are Meant to Know:A Reading List for the Horror Writer," by Robert Weinberg.Useful for the insight they provide to both writers and laymen, each article has something to teach--it's up to readers to decide which lessons they find most valuable.

It should specify "For Beginners".
The essays were each only a few pages long and gave general, basic suggestions.

Harlan Ellison's story was surreal, but not a good example of frightening. He has written better ones.

Writing Horror was Wonderful
I hate horror. I detest it. Horror is a loathsome, acrid genre. I fear the insomnia that follows upon the reading of a horror novel or any scene involving grotesqueness. Lying in bed, in the dark, imagining what lies where light is not, scares me.
Yet I read Writing Horror because my dad recommended it. He qualified it as a writing guide that applies not only to horror but to all genres. I braved it and found that the book wasn't just good: it was really, darned good.
You'd expect a book written by a bunch of writers to be at least moderately tolerable. And it was, in fact. It was (obviously) very well written. Although you've probably heard this a bunch of times before, I'll say it again, just for the record. Heck, it was explanatory, too, but isn't that what you'd expect from a WRITING GUIDE? If that's the sort of book you're interested in, you'll like it.
From Writing Horror, I learned five things. Actually, these are the five things I remember well.
1. When writing dialogue, spice it up. Don't just say, "I want to bite you!" Joe shouted. Say something like, "I want to bite you!" Joe's voice shook with rage. Instead of using `shouted' or `said' or other speech tags, I used a set of words that illustrated the scene involving Joe without using a speech tag.
2. Before starting a story, make a character sketch. Include everything you'll need to know: birth date, birthplace, parents, current residence, etc. Also include the things you won't need to know: political preference, food choice, footwear style or even favorite color. Then, when you're writing your story, you can refer to your character sketch for any information you need. Think about it. Someone who eats Weight WatchersÒ is probably going to be at least slightly different from someone who's on the Krispy KremeÒ diet. (And by character sketch, I don't mean drawing unless you feel you're a good artist.)
3. When writing action, right at the peak of the climax, say something short but direct such as:
Steam streamed from Joe's ears. His teeth gritted with the sound of a jackhammer. His face had gone beyond purple to an unnatural black. Then, Joe erupted.
An arm and a toe, then a lung landed. People screamed, blah, blah, blah.

You see how I put in a simple but informative line, three words long. Then, Joe erupted. We can all see that. Well, we'd rather not.So in action scenes, try this. (Hint: Think of it as a headline: short but sweet.)
4.Make sure your story is correct. Check for both obvious mistakes and deeper plot mistakes. For example, you couldn't really expect anyone who hangs around McDonalds all day to look emaciated.
5. When writing children's/teen horror, make sure to put the gore offstage. Don't put a character getting gutted right in front of the readers' eyes. Leave some clues as to what happened to them but not the actual graphic. After all, you're not trying to twist children's minds. Or are you?
These are five - well, at least four - important things to remember about writing any genre.
One last thing I pondered. What the HECK goes on in a horror writer's mind??? And what, I may ask, do they do daily?I've got no idea, personally, not being a horror writer. But I'll take a guess. Here's what I came up with.
Horror writers write horror for several reasons. The first is to scare people. They want you covered in goosebumps, sweating but still gripping the book with wonder and suspense. They want you to feel scared.
Some horror writers want to see their names in print, on the front of a book. They only use horror as their genre because it was a genre they are proficient at.
And some horror writers have a story to tell or want the reader to think about a topic.Maybe it's a topic from real events or maybe just an experience they've had. Whatever the reason, horror writers write horror. That's all there is.
Horror writers read horror, too, to get a sense of what's popular, what's outdated and what's scary. They read horror to compare it to their writing and to see what they could do differently to improve their writing. Horror writers read horror because it's habit. That's what they did when they were young and they read it now, only because it's a habit that they've grown up with.
Lastly, I think - I suspect - that horror writers' brains are twisted or demented. How else could they write gripping tales and not put down their pens and say, "Ahhh! My writing's too scary! I quit!" (Actually, I expect the same reaction from horror readers.) Horror writers have an inner feeling that makes it possible to write such freakish images.
All in all, the book rocked! If you get a chance, read it! It's sort of small press so you might have little trouble finding it, although I know that my library has it. So get out there and read - and write horror! Or not. Please. For my sake...

Essential Basics
I highly recommend this one.If you really want to make a living writing this fiction in this frowned upon genre you can avoid a lot of worn cliches and come up with something unique and...Hmm, what's that other word?Oh, yeah, SCARY!

The best advice on becoming a horror writer
I'm from Holland and I want to be a writer of horror fiction.
Seems like an odd choice, especially for someone living in a country which hasn't spawned a (good) horror writer in ages (if ever), but this book made me decide to go through with it.

It is great how WRITING HORROR is divided into all these chapters/ articles in which known (and some lesser known)horrorwriters give advice and pointers on how to master the craft. I learned so much from this book. There are things I hadn't even thought of yet (and never would) which are explained here. A few examples: setting the mood, how to write believable characters, draw your influences from real life, avoid cliches, don't EVER try to copy Stephen King...etc etc.

The best article for me was David Morrel's on writing dialogue. I knew him as the creator of John Rambo (of all characters). But from this book (and the real hard to find FACES OF FEAR, by Douglas Winter) I learned he's also a well accomplished writer of horror and suspense.
This man has such a clear voice and his words were so helpful to me. I'll be sure to read some more of his work in the future.

In short WRITING HORROR makes me want to create my own stories, and I think that's the best compliment you can give the people who put this book together.
I have some minor critisicm in that most of the articles are very short (only a few pages), but on the other hand I guess the writers make every word count.

It's hard being an aspiring novelist and sometimes you have to drag yourself behind your wordprocessor. WRITING HORROR makes it a little less hard! ... Read more

Product Description
With this guide, writers can learn how to create good fiction and publish profitably, guided by the timeless advice of the man who built the legendary literary agency that still bears his name. Includes information on creating characters, plotting a novel, formatting the manuscript, deciphering a publishing contract, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

The BEST Place to Start
Scott Meredith's Writing to Sell has enjoyed a huge following since its initial publication in 1950. Writers and would-be writers will find much to like in this book.

Meredith gained his fame as the agent to many famous writers. In Writing to Sell, he takes what he learned from dealing with publishers and provides his readers with practical advice on how to write marketable fiction. Most readers will find value in Meredith's discussion of the "plot skeleton." Meredith states that almost all good fiction follows some variation on this basic plot.

I really like Writing to Sell, but readers should be clear on the book's aims and scope. First, the title is correct; Meredith does not provide instruction on how to become the next Shakespeare or Dante. The focus here is on writing manuscripts that publishers want to buy rather than on fiction as "serious" art. Moreover, the relatively-short length (about 215 pages) precludes in-depth discussions of many important topics.

For those interested in writing fiction, Writing to Sell is a great tool. This short book can help improve almost any beginner's fiction.

Simple and Excellent.
I own a large pile of how-to-write books. Many of the books do not get you from here to there in terms of acquiring writing skills. Most give you a destination, but only a vague sense of how to get to that destination. It's like trying to go from your house to Oz, on a clear & sunny day.

Meredith's book is simple and excellent because it provides very clear directions & instructions for how to get to your writing destination.

Excellent Craft-of-Novel Primer
First appearing in 1950, and a hilarious 1974 introduction by the redoubtable Arthur C. Clarke, pioneering literary agent Scott Meredith's (I923-1993) Writing to Sell is an excellent tool for the aspiring writer. Meredith has a deep understanding of the marketplace (although some of his observations have become dated), as well as of what makes plots work (his original aspiration was to be a science fiction writer).He generalizes the successful plot as one in which an initial conflict is complicated to a climax, makes useful distinctions (e.g., between "incident" and "story") and gives many practical suggestions on novel writing and revising. (There is one chapter devoted to nonfiction.)Perhaps reflecting Meredith's financial success, there is a tendency to equate literary success entirely with sales reminiscent of Mickey Spillane's comment that what intellectuals don't understand is more people eat peanuts than caviar-or Tom Clancy's comment not to "commit art." Meredith's clients have included Norman Mailer, Ellery Queen, Robert Silverberg, and Philip K. Dick; and he was mentor to many agents and editors.With the qualification that his "just-sell-it" tonic may quash artistic originality, there is a lot to learn from his distillation of the American writing experience-which is no doubt why this book remains in print with Writer's Digest Books half a century after its initial publication. From the need to start off in a recognizable genre, to the importance of not skimping on the first draft and presenting likable characters with seemingly impossible problems, Meredith's work is a highly readable primer on the basic attributes of a salable novel. In short, although somewhat mercantile and dated,Writing to Sell is an excellent craft of writing work.

This is my Bible
When I was given this book, I had never been paid for my fiction. Now I make a living at it; in fact, since I started applying these principles to my fiction, I've never FAILED to sell a novel. I've sold nine so far.

This book contains everything you need to know.

The first I read, but not the best.
When I first read this book, I was expecting it to be about writing stuffthat publishers would buy.Well, it had that all right, but not until itwent through what they ARE buying, what other genres there are, how othersbroke in to the business, etc.In other words, stuff you could find prettymuch any other place you look.On the other hand, when it does get intothe actual "writing" of the book, it gives good information andgood techniques that I believe any good writer could use.Whether or notyou actually want to get published is beyond the point - you can skip thatpart if you want to. ... Read more

Product Description
Responding to the rapid growth of personal narrative as a method of inquiry among qualitative scholars, Bud Goodall offers a concise volume of practical advice for scholars and students seeking to work in this tradition. He provides writing tips and strategies from a well-published, successful author of creative nonfiction and concrete guidance on finding appropriate outlets for your work. For readers, he offers a set of criteria to assess the quality of creative nonfiction writing. Goodall suggests paths to success within the academy—still rife with political sinkholes for the narrative ethnographer—and ways of building a career as a public scholar. Goodall’s work serves as both a writing manual and career guide for those in qualitative inquiry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The best book in print on how to teach writing.
I stumbled on the first edition of this book in the late seventies while I was preparing to teach a college course in how to teach writing for English and education majors.I don't know about my students but the booktransformed my teaching.

This book covers the hows and whys of teachingwriting as a process rather than as a product.It comes from a very activepublishing writer who writes very well and knows how to teach, even throughhis very words on the page.From discoverying what to write about, tofocusing on an audience, to accomplishing one's purpose from writing,Murray's book is not only instructive in its presentation but is also anexcellent model for audience, purpose, and the processes a writer can useto accomplish his/her goals.Revision is Murray's forte.He believes itto be the key to successful writing.

"A Writer Teaches Writing"assumes that the teacher writes.Certainly, Murray does, and so well thatall other books on the subject are ecllipsed by this masterpiece. ... Read more

Product Description
The Craft of Corporate Journalism is a dynamic reference guide for business journalists, corporate communicators, and writers and editors of organizational publications. It is an indispensable manual that will be used daily by beginners and seasoned corporate writers/editors alike in the daily business of crafting creative organizational publications.Lionel Fisher writes in a fresh, down-to-earth style honed by his forty-five years of experience as a corporate communicator, newspaper correspondent/columnist, advertising/public relations creative director-copy chief, and as a freelance writer specializing in business-sales-marketing-organizational communications. He provides essential, hands-on counsel, instruction and advice on the esoteric challenges of corporate writing.The seminal message Fisher conveys is that business-related magazines, newsletters, ezines, and other organizational publications need not be dull, dry, or merely informational. Rather, corporate journalists must earn and sustain the interest of their readers, which can only be done with powerful writing. His descriptive instruction and crisp counsel is packed with riveting examples of journalistic and business prose to illustrate critical points as he teaches organizational communicators how to write.The author's engaging, iconoclastic style instructs on the essentials of corporate and business writing: How to craft powerful leads; compose and edit articles with the proper structure, pace, and flow; nurture creativity; dissolve writer's block and interview effectively. But organizational communicators must do more than just produce outstanding feature and news stories. They are also responsible for organizing their material into attractive, seductive packages. They must target and involve readers; present appetizing arrays of news and feature stories; define and tailor their publications; set stylistic guidelines; motivate correspondents; and much, much more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Writer's Bible
Here is a an treasury of great tips and examples from someone who has polished his craft and now clearly and generously shares his experience. I would recommend this to all writers who want to earn an income from their art. For me, this is a well-rounded guide that is a frequently used reference alongside "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White, and "The Chicago Manual of Style". ... Read more

Product Description
How to "jump start your funny bone" is the theme of this humorous, eye-opening guide to conceiving, writing, and marketing a winning TV sitcom. The book tells how to construct a story outline, develop character and dialogue, format scripts, pitch producers, and work with studio executives, producers, directors, agents, and actors. Full of good laughs and tips for making a living in the business, this book is a boon to any writer wanting to break into TV comedy.

Jerry Rannow has written/produced for such popular television series as Happy Days, Welcome Back, Kotter, and Love Boat. He has taught humor and television writing at the University of Wisconsin, and now heads his own communications firm in Racine. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Overrated but not bad.
This book is pretty helpful in offering structural advice and giving pointers from someone who hasbeen successful in the business. However, it is clear that this comedy writer's time has passed. His jokes were so corny and unfunny (for the most part but not entirely) that I would find myself getting frustrated to the point where I would have to put the book down for a while.You've already proven yourself as a writer Jerry, there's no need to try and be cute and add unnecessary jokes into your book.Not a bad book but it seems like all of these books pretty much say the same thing anyway.

Good but there could be more
I wish there was more in this book about script formats and script notes then just what's funny and what's not. Many good points are made but the examples are outdated and focus on shows from the 70's and 80's, which may be tough for a younger reader to relate.

A gem of a book
The author is right.This appears to be the only book about writing for comedy by someone who has actually written for comedy! Based on the reviews here at Amazon I decided to invest in the book and was glad I did.This man knows what he is talking about.

The author writes about his past 25 years experience writing and working in Hollywood, and advises on what pitfalls to avoid. He gives examples of what a TV comedy script should look like and in the back of the book he lists a list of agents as well as other helpful tips on how to get rolling.

I have other books on writing but this is by far the best one I have to purchase.You won't be disappointed.Add it to your shopping card and BUY.

Get It!!!!
I am going to keep it simple:THIS GUY KNOWS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT!!!Whether you actually want to take the leap into the crazy, unpredictable world of Hollywood writing or just want a professional peek into how some of the classics were-- and still are-- put together, this is the book to buy.I loved it-- and I'm not even headed to Hollywood!

Great Help to Aspiring Writer
This book not only gives you great insight into the art of t.v. sitcom writing, but gives you the encouragement you need to try it.Jerry's experiences are related with humor and empathy, making the book a lot of fun to read.You'll learn important lessons about the craft of comedy writing, and about the perseverance you need to succeed.Jerry teaches by example, and you'll laugh out loud as you read about his years in Hollywood.By the end of the book, you'll feel like you've been part of a sitcom writing team and that you "know the ropes." ... Read more