Read to Write: A Writing Process Reader

by Donald M. Murray

Designed primarily for students in composition courses, Read to Write explains and demonstrates how writers read both their own works in progress and the published works of other writers in order to learn how to write more effectively.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

457 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Donald Morison Murray

Reviews

[April]

I believe this was either a textbook of mine or one that my cousin had--I can't remember now. But it was from college, which, for either of us, was in the early 2000's. I enjoyed reading this book as both a textbook and for pleasure. I wish an updated version existed, but this is a good one for the classics. It gives good, solid advice for writers and I have gotten good tips that have enhanced both my current reading and my future writing endeavors. I know I'll refer to it when attempting my next piece of writing.

From an update by me while reading this book: I just enjoyed reading Mekeel McBride's process on how she wrote the poem "Red Letters." Her writing is so colorful and descriptive. I'd like to be able to write like that. Her writing about her process is like a piece of art in itself.

[Naomi Jayalaksana]

You may not be a good dreamer, nor the walking dictionary. But if you're a good reader, then you could be a damn good writer! Take a round tour to see what you can do to help yourself to be a good writer by reading the book!

[Penny]

Oh my... I learned a ton from Murray again.