Crafting a Life in Essay, Story, Poem

As a middle school English teacher I find this to be an excellent resource to guide student in the writing process.

After reading Murray's book, even the most skeptical reader will be tempted to take up the craft of writing - at least as a hobby! At the same time, Murray teaches important attitudes, skills, and techniques involved in writing a variety of genres and in getting published, so the book also appeals to those interested in writing professionally.Murray's appeal to such a diverse audience begins with his development of an intimate relationship with the reader in the introduction entitled "Why I Write." The reader can easily imagine having a cup of coffee with Murray while he shares the story of his birth as a writer and what motivates him to continue his writing life. But it's not just about him. With charming candor, Murray invites readers to explore the possibilities of a writing life for themselves. While encouraging us to overcome our fear of writing and to develop a writing discipline, Murray comes across as a combination fairy Godmother and Olympic training coach. His maternal tone urges us to give ourselves "permission to write" and provides comforting advice. Yet, like a coach, he also expects us to challenge ourselves, set goals, and stop making excuses for not writing. The first few chapters of the book also focus on "cultivating a writing habit" and provide tips on self-motivation, attitude, subject matter, elements of voice and discovery through keeping an open mind.Once he has his readers convinced of the personal joys and benefits of the craft and confident in their own potential as writers, Murray shifts the focus to teaching techniques for the specific genres of essay, fiction, and poetry. These chapters may easily be used as springboards for writing exercises that are non-intimidating and likely to produce exciting results. In addition, Murray generously shares samples of his own early drafts with crossed-out lines, notes in the margins and detailed discussions of why he made the changes he made. Anyone who thinks that professional writers simply sit down, receive inspiration and then spontaneously produce masterpieces will learn a lesson from Murray about the energy and commitment involved in the craft of writing. Every step of the way, Murray displays rigorous honesty about himself as a writer, about the joys and struggles of the writer's life and about what it takes to please a reading audience.The book ends with a discussion of the revision process and the usefulness of sharing our writing with a community of others who take the craft seriously. These companions can help us stay motivated, provide feedback about what works, catch mistakes and provide inspiration. If you are interested in a writing career, Murray's last chapters will also help you understand the relationship between writers and editors, how to plan a book and how to prepare a manuscript for publication. However, you need not be a serious writer to enjoy this experience with Murray. He probably will convince you that you need to write at least for yours

I devoured this text over last weekend, although I could have easily read it in just a day. The reason I didn't? I wanted to savour every morsel of wisdom in it.Don Murray has done an excellent job of addressing some of the common concerns of aspiring writers and teachers of writers everywhere. We can all be writers, but we do not all chose to write. Why? And why not start now?Murray reveals the fears we've held about writing (he goes through all the "writer's excuses" and dispels them one by one) and he helps us focus in on what really helps writers with tidbits from his own experiences as a writer and from a plethora of "published" writers' reflections.He has one chapter on each of the three major forms of writing: essay, story and poem. Each of these felt loaded with valuable tips, examples, anecdotes and his overwhelming encouragement for those of us who still wish to write.As a teacher, I loved how he peeled open his skull and let us peek in to see what goes on in his mind when he writes -- or revises -- or edits -- or just plays with a text, rehearsing it on his mind or on his computer. As a writer, I found myself itching to get back to my computer, back to some of the writing I had neglected.His writing is straightforward but never boring. This is both a textbook and an inspiration tale. I plan on using it in the classes I teach, and as a kick-start for my own writing when it gets mired in the daily grind.Reading about writing just doesn't get better than this!