Writing a Book That Makes a Difference

It sometimes seems like every one feels, at one time or another, that they have a book deep inside them that is begging to be written. Most will never commit the time and effort it takes to write that book. This book makes it easier to at least recognize what needs to get that book on paper. Understanding the basics necessary to write a good book are a good first step to actually getting started. Mr. Gerard has written a good book for not only beginners, but a book that is beneficial to those of us who want to improve our writing skills.

For those who have mastered the craft of writing, but feel like they are missing the art of truly touching an audience, this book is amazing. It talks about how to move your work to a higher level, achieving the sort of resonance that the great books have. It not only breaks down some of the effects used by classic works and authors, but also details why and how to create them yourself. i am a confirmed how-to-write book addict--but this is one of the few that really steps above the rest to present a new approach. It speaks to the power that fiction (and non-fiction) can have to affect the reader--something many writers aspire to, but don't know how to consciously approach. In classic how-to style, it even includes exercises after each chapter! I picked it up on a whim, but I will be recommending it to all of my writing buddies who feel that their work, while technically excellent, is lacking the spark that will really bring it to life.

There are so any books on writing fiction, as any budding writer will see. Hundreds of them, on the wider scope of novels, on the specifics of short stories, or on the techniques of dialog, scenes and plot. Many of these books are useful, but they all tend to focus on popular, commercial fiction, generally genre fiction. I guess if you want to write genre fiction (nothing against it - I read plenty of it), then these books are fine. But for me, embarking on writing serious fiction, none of these books helped very much. Philip Gerard's book fills the gap that these other books have left in the market. It approaches writing fiction for those who want to write novels that make readers think. He covers enough of the basics (tone, point of view, style) to make this a good generalist book, but, above all, doesn't talk down to the reader. In addition, he inpsires you to think of the broader aspect of writing a serious novel. As a full-time writer of non-fiction, I'm hoping to leap over the fence into fiction. This is the best book I have yet found that gives me the inspiration and the tools to do so. I have already read it three times, and have gotten more out of it each time. If you want to write serious fiction, this is the only book that really helps you do so.

What differentiates a well-written and interesting book from one that is mediocre?Philip Gerard, author of WRITING A BOOK THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, teaches in the MFA program of the Professional and Creative Writing Program at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. His vast writing experience has included fiction and non-fiction books, magazine articles, and television writing. Gerard's wisdom is quite apparent when you read and study his book WRITING A BOOK THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.He does an excellent job in emphasizing the fundamentals of what constitutes good writing that ultimately leads to a book that makes a difference.As is the case in any discipline, the author realizes that to effectively share ideas and suggestions it is necessary to have a common meeting ground concerning vocabulary.Consequently, from the very onset, Gerard introduces the reader to an analysis of indispensable terms.These terms that form the backbone of the book are: originality, aesthetic distance, didacticism, essay, narrative, narrative stance, non-fiction, novel, persuasion of continuity, psychic distance, public subject, rectitude, resonance, story, subject matter, subtext, suspense, theme, thesis, tone, and universal.After providing us with an explanation of the jargon that will be constantly referred to in the book, the author proceeds to deal with the larger picture. This he divides into two parts, the first explaining subject and theme and the second showing the reader how to build a book.We learn about such elements as choosing a worthy subject, research, theme discovery and theme development, connecting to the reader, creative non-fiction, ethics and art, subject and point of view, and discovering themes as you write.All of these are viewed within the wider context, if the book stands up to rereading? If we are not left with ideas and impressions that are thought provoking it will not pass the test. As Gerard also points outs" the book must also tease us into comprehension on a higher level. There must be something to possess."Reading and studying this book is certainly an enjoyable learning experience and one that will be appreciated by novice as well as established writers.The mixture of concrete excerpts extracted from well-known books together with several writing exercises certainly enhances its attractiveness as a useful resource for students of creative writing.This review first appeared on the reviewer's own sitewww.bookpleasures.com

I was shocked to open this book and find the author's words targeting the very soul of my writing. It is a book about craft, not a pop culture "I wanna write a book" manual.Gerard shows a great understanding of the motivation behind the need and desire to write well. He speaks to those who are willing to put effort and excellence where their pen meets the page.I heartily recommend this book.