The Writer's Book Of Wisdom,9781582972923

The Writer's Book Of Wisdom

by
ISBN13: 9781582972923
ISBN10: 1582972923
Format: Hardcover
Pub. Date: 2004-12-03
Publisher(s): Writers Digest Books
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Summary

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.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9(5)
PART 1: APPROACH
Learn the rules before you break them
14(3)
Writing is more craft than art
17(1)
Believe in yourself even if no one else does
18(2)
True inspiration must be earned by writing
20(2)
Write to be great, not rich
22(3)
Get used to despair
25(2)
Fail
27(1)
Keep your writing exercises in perspective
28(2)
Be prepared to fight your demons
30(2)
Stay out of sight
32(2)
Work in an inspiring environment
34(2)
Think of writing sessions as entertainment
36(2)
Electronic voices destroy inspiration
38(2)
Return to the basics
40(2)
Generate text
42(2)
Break away from your labors
44(2)
Stop reading this book
46(2)
Resist distractions
48(2)
Produce multiple drafts
50(2)
Think of your first draft as a blue-book essay exam
52(2)
Ignore the length of your first draft
54(2)
Practice mechanical learning
56(2)
Seek the wisdom of others
58(2)
Keep yourself open to serendipity
60(2)
Borrow (and steal) from your favorite writers
62(2)
Always have a notebook and pen on hand
64(2)
Keep a ``read-in-progress'' nearby
66(2)
Create an anthology of your favorite literature
68(2)
Feed on words
70(2)
Subscribe to magazines
72(2)
Carry a camera
74(2)
Write as therapy
76(2)
Think of writing as a hobby
78(4)
PART 2: LANGUAGE
Buy and study a grammar book
82(2)
Master metaphor
84(2)
But try not to overdo it
86(2)
The ``as'' clause is for amateurs
88(2)
Avoid cliches and stock phrases
90(2)
Trust the precision of your nouns and verbs
92(2)
Don't overuse negatives
94(2)
Be mindful of your diction
96(2)
Avoid repeating words that sound or look similar
98(2)
Play with words
100(2)
Collect good titles and practice writing your own
102(2)
Be brief
104(2)
For speed in communication, write clearly
106(2)
Accelerate the pace with ``invisible writing''
108(2)
Vary sentence structure and type
110(3)
Be interesting with every sentence
113(1)
The discipline of poetry will sharpen your sentences
114(2)
Sentences are written like jokes: The punch line is at the end
116(2)
Write toward climax
118(2)
The first duty of the writer is to entertain
120(2)
Tell your story as fast as you can
122(6)
PART 3: CRAFT
Write like you talk
128(2)
Trust the power of your own voice
130(2)
Command attention immediately
132(2)
Design your opening page for maximum impact
134(2)
Start where the story gets interesting
136(2)
Never save your best for last
138(2)
Master the basics of literature
140(2)
Mix description, narration, exposition, and dialogue
142(3)
For structure, remember the Golden Triangle
145(1)
Use the classical plot outline
146(2)
A more detailed plot outline provides your template
148(3)
Allow the process of discovery to happen naturally
151(1)
Dialogue heightens drama
152(2)
Dialogue speeds the process of discovery
154(2)
Dialogue creates tension
156(2)
Use dialogue tags correctly
158(2)
Establish point of view early
160(2)
Keep your characters real
162(2)
Give the opposition quality attention
164(2)
Tell a dream and you risk boring a reader
166(2)
Setting matters
168(2)
Allow for descriptive passages
170(2)
Practice the elements of description
172(2)
Use images to deliver ideas
174(2)
Avoid commentary; let readers make their own deductions
176(2)
Tell them stories to keep them reading
178(2)
Reveal past events through exposition or flashback
180(2)
Shift focus often
182(2)
Know your theme
184(2)
Go with God, but write with the devil
186(2)
Resolve all conflicts by the end of the story
188(2)
Writing is the vehicle for truth
190(2)
Maintain the trance of verisimilitude
192(2)
Writing offers hope
194(2)
Think about your readers
196(2)
Revise with a critical eye and outside help
198(2)
Art shows up in rewriting
200(2)
Get distance from your work
202(2)
Revise for speed
204(2)
Trust the muse of revision
206(2)
If you can be misread, you will be
208(2)
Ultimately, content matters more than craft
210(2)
Know how to sell it
212(2)
Study the board
214(2)
Submit a professional manuscript
216(2)
Aspire to reach a universal audience
218(2)
Embrace the wisdom of opposing views
220(3)
Appendix: Evaluation Guide for Your Writing 223

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