The Little Black Book of Writers' Wisdom

by Steven D. Price (Editor)

Author and journalist Gene Fowler put it best: "Writing is easy; all you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until the drops of blood form on your forehead." Anyone who has ever wanted or been required to create something more complicated than a shopping list or a Tweet knows there's more truth than poetry in the observation. The process can be difficult, frustratingly so when we realize that although we use words all the time, coming up with the right ones can be a daunting task.Even the most celebrated writers have reflected on this creative process, and their observations and conclusions are collected in this book. The compiler, himself no stranger to a blank page or computer screen, has selected the wisest and wittiest utterances on such subjects as why we write (Ernest Hemingway: "I have a good life but I must write because if I do not write a certain amount I do not enjoy the rest of my life."); how to write (Anton Chekhov: "Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass."); and writing for money (Cormac McCarthy: "I never had any doubts about my abilities. I knew I could write. I just had to figure out how to eat while doing this.").It has been said that reading won't make you a good writer, but it will make you a better writer. Dip into this lively and useful treasure trove, and you'll be well on your way.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Adult

224 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2013

Reviews

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of fun -- quite a number of good quotes on writing. Here's one: A.J. Liebling said, "I can write better than anybody who can write faster, and can write faster than anybody who can write better."

[Sonya Dutta Choudhury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a charming dip into book . Featuring quotations like

Truth is so hard to tell, it sometimes needs fiction to make it plausible - Sir Francis Bacon -

Write without pay until someone offers to pay - Mark Twain -

I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by -Douglas Adams

We tell ourselves stories in order to live - Joan Didion

One wants to tell a story, like Scheherazade, in order not to die. It's one of the oldest urges of mankind. It's a way of stalling death. - Carlos Fuentes

Letter Writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company - Lord Byron

Letters are most significant memorial a person can leave behind him - Johann Wolfgang Von Goehe

Need I say more :)

[Tri Le · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little collection of writing-related quotes and a few illustrations/pictures of famous writers. Quotes are related to why writers write, how writers write, writing fiction, writing poetry, letter writing, editors and critics, writing for money, and writing advice. Cute showpiece, nothing substantial.

[Benny Blanco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright this isn’t a typical “book”, but more so a great tool of inspiration and some of these quotes are funny. The amount of research for these quotes must of taken a while, because this “book” is broken up into parts and each part has certain quotes. The books layout is a bit lacking but it’s definitely a good read when you’re down and out.

[Jay Phipps · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much insight to writing - just motivational sayings about writing

[Lisa Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun little collection of quotes about writing. I found it inspiring and sometimes insightful. The writer in your life, especially if they're struggling, might like it too.

[J.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandmother gave this to me as a Christmas gift. Lots of nice quotes in here from a great variety of artists. There are also pictures!

[David A Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good eclectic fun.