I read some great reviews about how Becoming a Writer had really inspired and helped people who were wanting to be writers, so I thought as a freelance writer I should check it out. It may be useful for someone who has no support or encouragement in their writing career as she does spend a bit of time encouraging new writers. I didn't really need encouragement.
She also talks a lot about the lifestyle, etc of writers and how form and style are more important than punctuation and grammer, which can be true to a point (but who keeps paying a writer who can't spell or use proper punctuation?).
All in all, it may be worth reading for someone else. It was written in the 1930s, so maybe that's why some of her advice seems trite to a seasoned writer. Like I said, it may be helpful for new, just starting out writers.
I actually never finished this book, as I decided I really don't want to learn how to write from someone whose own book is painfully dull.
http://www.denisereads.blogspot.com/
She also talks a lot about the lifestyle, etc of writers and how form and style are more important than punctuation and grammer, which can be true to a point (but who keeps paying a writer who can't spell or use proper punctuation?).
All in all, it may be worth reading for someone else. It was written in the 1930s, so maybe that's why some of her advice seems trite to a seasoned writer. Like I said, it may be helpful for new, just starting out writers.
I actually never finished this book, as I decided I really don't want to learn how to write from someone whose own book is painfully dull.
http://www.denisereads.blogspot.com/
Helpful Score: 2
An inspiring book for an amateur or professional writer who seeks to tune into the heart of the writing experience, more than focus on specific techniques and skills. Guaranteed to spark the creative fire. A classic.
Not a bad book, just didn't suit my taste as a writer (my brain doesn't work the same way as Dorothea Brande's, apparently). This was originally written in the 1930s, so some of the authors she talks about may leave you scratching your head.
I did want to mention that the only wear this book has are a few folded over pages; nothing excessive, still easily readable/legible. There's no water or smoke damage, it has its cover, etc. Just wanted to be on the up and up on this, in case you prefer your pages to be utterly pristine.
I did want to mention that the only wear this book has are a few folded over pages; nothing excessive, still easily readable/legible. There's no water or smoke damage, it has its cover, etc. Just wanted to be on the up and up on this, in case you prefer your pages to be utterly pristine.
NOTE: The actual book has a different cover than the one pictured, but the same ISBN code.
"Even in 1934, Dorothea Brande knew that most writers didn't need another book on "technique" -- and this, before so many more would be published. No, she realized, as John Gardner notes in his foreword, "the root problems of the writer are personality problems," and thus her wise book is designed to simply help you get over yourself and start writing, with techniques ranging from a simple declaration to write every day at a fixed time -- no matter what -- to exercises that come close to inventing the TM and self-actualization movements that would follow a few decades later."
--Borrowed from Amazon.com
***** 5 star rating!
"Even in 1934, Dorothea Brande knew that most writers didn't need another book on "technique" -- and this, before so many more would be published. No, she realized, as John Gardner notes in his foreword, "the root problems of the writer are personality problems," and thus her wise book is designed to simply help you get over yourself and start writing, with techniques ranging from a simple declaration to write every day at a fixed time -- no matter what -- to exercises that come close to inventing the TM and self-actualization movements that would follow a few decades later."
--Borrowed from Amazon.com
***** 5 star rating!
