The Writers' Reader

by Brenda Walker

This fresh and exciting collection of essays looks at the essential elements of writing poetry and fiction. It includes a diverse range of experienced writers and academics discussing genre, technique, the reader and finally publishing. Delia Falconer writes about the necessity of historical research, Marele Day discusses creating characters and Marion Halligan plots out the various structures of short stories. An essential text for any budding writer and students of creative writing.

Genres: Writing, Textbooks, Reference

207 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2006

About the author

There is more than author with this name

Brenda Joanne Walker was an Australian writer. Born in Grafton, New South Wales, she studied at the University of New England in Armidale and, after gaining a PhD in English (on the work of Samuel Beckett) at the Australian National University, she moved to Perth in 1984. She was a Winthrop Professor of English and Cultural Studies at the University of Western Australia. She had also been a visiting fellow at Stanford University and the University of Virginia.
Walker was the sister of songwriter and musician Don Walker, and the daughter of author Shirley Walker.

Reviews

[Lee Kofman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This writing book is just wonderful, especially that it’s not a 'how-to-write' book. The contributors are predominantly academics who are also literary writers and their advice is passionate and uncompromising. It’s full of wisdom, of inspiration, of encouragement to become an experimental writer. The editor did a great job of putting this collection together. My highlight was the last essay by Peter Bishop.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertainment & Engagement:
Rating: Poor. The book isn't particularly engaging. It's a collection of articles from different writers, leading to a variety of styles. While one or two pieces were enjoyable, many were rather dull.

Educational Value:
Rating: Great. The book covers a wide range of topics related to fiction, poetry, and the writing process, including publication. Though it's not the best writer's guide, it contains valuable information that can benefit anyone working in these genres.

Effort, Accessibility & Aesthetic Impact:
Rating: Good. The book is divided into articles of a reasonable length, making it easy to read a piece or two in short bursts. However, since the articles are written by various authors, the accessibility and aesthetic quality vary. Some are easy to digest, while others are more challenging, with most falling somewhere in the middle.

Practical Application:
Rating: Good. While much of the content isn't practical advice, there are useful nuggets scattered throughout. The book primarily offers interesting insights into how different authors approach various aspects of the craft.

Value for Writers:
Rating: Good. I wouldn't call it great, as it’s not one of the best books I've read on fiction writing. That said, it covers both poetry and fiction, so while it didn’t resonate deeply with me, others may find the insights and information more useful for their needs.

[Isaac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite useful and thought-provoking.