Alysoun Owen

This short book is a wonderful resource for writers — both writers of fiction and non-fiction. Unlike so many books about writing, this is not about self-publishing, or setting goals, or grammar, or marketing. Instead, it consists of very short quotes by people who know what they are talking about: writers. Here are three typical quotes — all of them useful or witty: “When we ask advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice.” That was Saul Bellow. Another one from a writer I don’t know, Jules Renard: “Writing is the only profession where no one considers you ridiculous if you earn no money.” That really did speak to me. And a final one, from Zadie Smith: “Try to read your own work as a stranger would read it, or even better, as an enemy would.” I love that one. There are hundreds more here, grouped by subject, with good indexes by name and topic. If my next book is any good, I can thank the people at Writers’ and Artists’ for this great little book.… (mehr)