Your Writing Coach: From Concept to Character, From Pitch to Publication Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great book for aspiring writers as well as established writers looking to branch out into new areas. A lot of writing books seem to be by a novelist writing only about novels, by a screenwriter writing only about screenplays, etc., but Wolff explores both of those genres, as well as non-fiction books, magazine articles and more. He assumes you're serious, and while he doesn't fill you with delusions of grandeur, he doesn't insult you by selling some fantasy of instant riches, either. He makes it clear that writing for a living requires dedication and hard work, just like any other career, and then he shows you how to go about making it happen.
The title is important and telling - Wolff's tone is professional and authoritative, yet friendly and quite cordial, and you get enjoyable little glimpses into his own successful career and personality as he provides anecdotes from his own published/produced works in all the fields he discusses. It's obvious that he's speaking from his own experiences in all aspects of the business(es), not just the writing, but also the marketing, pitching, ethics, etc. In addition to drawing on his own background, he also brings in snippets and examples from lots of other writers and creative types, most of whom are very well-known.
Actually, there is a lot of good information in here for creative business people of all sorts, like copywriters, marketing staff, and even product development types, anybody who needs to manage time, inspire others, hatch ideas or promote a vision, all of which are facets of the writing business and life. The book and table of contents are nicely organized and detailed in such a way that you can easily cherry-pick the information you're looking for. Of course, if you're a "regular" writer you will want to read every page, but the organization makes it easy to revisit various topics without cluttering up the sturdy, finely printed book with unsightly Post-It Notes.
Finally, the thing I liked best about this book is that it's a lot more than just a book. Every chapter includes an access code you can enter at one of Wolff's websites, where you can view bonus content and video interviews with Wolff and many of the people he mentions in each chapter. Wolff even makes himself available via his website, like a true coach would, as a source of advice and inspiration. It's a brilliant blend of old and new media, and access to the website makes the book a real 2-for-1 bargain.
As you might guess, I'd highly recommend this book. I've got a copy of my own and bought another for a friend, because this is the kind of book that if you loan it out, you may not get it back!


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Your Writing Coach: From Concept to Character, From Pitch to Publication goes beyond other books that only discuss style or selling. Jurgen Wolff, a highly successful author with vast experience and credits from Hollywood to the BBC, shows aspiring writers how to overcome fear, get past excuses, and start writing! Featuring exercises and quotes for encouragement, Wolff explains how to hook readers and keep them engaged. He offers powerful tips on how to be productive while still being creative and how to transform your inner critic into a constructive guide to get past the dreaded writer's block. Finally, he offers advice on marketing yourself and your work and the tremendous opportunities offered by new media like the Internet and podcasts. More than just a how-to book, Your Writing Coach is a friendly companion and mentor, providing all the strategies needed to build a career as a full-time writer.

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Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing: A Novelist Looks at His Craft Review

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(More customer reviews)David Morrell's name may not sound familiar, but his works should spark recognition. Rambo. Brotherhood of the Rose. If you haven't read them, you may have seen or heard of the Rambo movies or TV miniseries. Who can forget Sylvester Stallone as Rambo in his black headband with his exposed sweaty muscular chest holding a machine gun with fury?
Impressive background aside, the knowledge that Morrell imparts is educational and constructive. He tells the story of the writer, Sterling Silliphant of Route 66, who influenced Morrell's career in writing. A story like that sounds dull, but Morrell tells it in a simple and gripping way like the rest of the book.
Morrell provides lessons on literary techniques: plots, structure, and voice. His technique of talking to himself and questioning every aspect of a story is a remarkably easy way to ensure the words and story have purpose.
Most writers don't have time to go to a writer's conference or take a class. This book is a class in itself without the annoying "how to" style of writing. I read this book over a period of several months, absorbing one chapter at a time. Reading it slowly was like getting a mini-lesson each reading session.
Not only does he offers tips on smarter dialogue and overcoming writer's block, but he also talks about the business of writing and what to do when a book is published. "Getting Published and the Business of Writing" alone is worth the price of the book. Every writer who publishes a book will benefit from this chapter.
Whether or not one is interested in screenwriting, the chapter on movies is a humorous adventure as Morrell dives into the red tape-like process for getting Hollywood to bring a book alive on the silver screen. Think writers whose books get Hollwoodified are rich? Think again as Morrell walks through the steps of where all the money goes and it ain't in the writer's pocket.
The genre of Rambo movies isn't my thing, but I'm Morrell's fan after spending time with this book. He's inspiring.

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Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University Review

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(More customer reviews)Want to write true stories that will still be readable five, 10, 20, 50 years from now? Ever talk to someone who told you something that touched your heart, whether it's an experience they had or just a good yarn that you'll think about long after the conversation's over?
These are the kinds of stories this book will show you how to write. The authors won't tell you exactly. That's a path you'll have to find out for yourself. But they'll give you guides, practical tips to learn how to talk and write like you're having a conversation with a reader who wants to know more about your story.
As a working journalist for a mid-sized newspaper in Southwest Virginia, I've read countless of books discussing the techniques of narrative writing. This one ranks high above them. Many of the authors break down the elements of telling good stories. For example, listen to Susan Orlean talk about having voice in your stories: "You can't invent a voice. And you can't imitate someone else's voice, though trying to can be a good exercise. It can lead you to begin to understand the mechanisms that convey the voice. Read your stories out loud so you can hear how you tell stories. As you read, ask yourself: Does it sound real? Would I have said it that way?"
The editors of the book offer nice introductions to each section and tell you who you'll be reading in the next few pages. It reminds me of a book by Stanley Cavell called "Cities of Words," which is presented as a series of lectures in a classroom.
The way this book is put together is similar. It reads like you're in class waiting for a lecture from folks such as Tom Wolfe, Susan Orlean, Tracy Kidder and others. There is no shortage of ideas, approaches to reporting and writing stories and you can't help but think how you would have tackled a famed writer's story if you were in their position. (Probably, not very well. But better, I'm assuming, than those who don't read this book.)
Writing true stories is not the easiest way to spend your time. It can get very frustrating and confusing. That's why this book is important. It has given me a new perspective on how to approach these kinds of stories and that's why I recommend it.

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Inspiring stories and practical advice from America's most respected journalists The country's most prominent journalists and nonfiction authors gather each year at Harvard's Nieman Conference on Narrative Journalism. Telling True Stories presents their best advice—covering everything from finding a good topic, to structuring narrative stories, to writing and selling your first book. More than fifty well-known writers offer their most powerful tips, including: • Tom Wolfe on the emotional core of the story • Gay Talese on writing about private lives • Malcolm Gladwell on the limits of profiles • Nora Ephron on narrative writing and screenwriters • Alma Guillermoprieto on telling the story and telling the truth • Dozens of Pulitzer Prize–winning journalists from the Atlantic Monthly, New Yorker, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and more . . . The essays contain important counsel for new and career journalists, as well as for freelance writers, radio producers, and memoirists. Packed with refreshingly candid and insightful recommendations, Telling True Stories will show anyone fascinated by the art of writing nonfiction how to bring people, scenes, and ideas to life on the page.

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