First, a quote from the publisher: “There’s no better writing than what writers write about writing. Each author’s perspective, each honest quip, and each unique truth offers insight into the process of self-expression. Curated here in a thoughtful collection, The Truth About Writing brings fresh attention to favorite writers, their thoughts, and their passions. Elevated with a fresh design, a foil-stamped cover, and colorful edge staining, this book of quotes is the perfect gift for novice and professional writers, avid readers, or anyone who loves the written word. “
The Truth About Writing is a collection of quotes on topics relevant to writers. These topics include:
- “On Being a Writer”
- “On Getting Started”
- “On Writing”
- “On Advice”
- “On Editing, Revision, and Publication.”
A work like this is only as good as the included quotes. Happily, I found about one good quote per page on average. The work definitely includes some stinkers (the quotes from human trash JK Rowling come to mind), but they can easily be crossed out. The work also included quotes from a wide variety of creatives and time periods (Mark Twain, Miles Davis, and George Saunders all make appearances, for example). I’ll be sharing a few of my favorites after completing this review.
I was able to finish the work (with annotation) in about an hour. With that in mind, I’m not sure this one is worth its asking price (approximately $11 USD). It may well be worth borrowing from a friend or the library, though. I got my copy from the Humble Bundle, so I have no complaints. (The bundle in question is active for another month and a half at time of writing.)
If I had to describe this work in a single phrase, it’d be, “what you see is what you get.” If you’d enjoy a collection of quotes from authors on writing, this one is worth a peek. If not, you can easily pass.
Check it out here.
You may also enjoy …
- My “Creativity Double Features” which include reviews of Your Inner Critic is a Big Jerk, Creative Quest, Letters to a Young Writer, and Turn Your Pain Into Art here and here.
- “Show Your Work!” by Austin Kleon (you can see my review here).
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Notable Quotes
- “I think I did pretty well, considering I started out with nothing but a bunch of blank paper.” (Steve Martin)
- “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” (Maya Angelou)
- “I think new writers are too worried that it has all been said before. Sure it has, but not by you.” (Asha Dornfest)
- “I heard some writer say that his “father was a truck driver, and you know what, never in his life did that man get truck driver’s block.”” (Barnaby Conrad)
- “Writing is something you do alone. It’s a profession for introverts who wanna tell you a story but don’t want to make eye contact while telling it.” (John Green)
- “Good fiction’s job is to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” (David Foster Wallace)
