Write to Learn

by Donald M. Murray

WRITE TO LEARN establishes a framework for students to create original and compelling writing. Donald Murray, with his famous clear and succinct writing style, moves the beginning student writer from an initial idea all the way to a final draft. In addition, revisions to this edition should make the book more appealing to Creative Nonfiction instructors.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Donald Morison Murray

Reviews

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing insight on the process of writing as an act of discovery, reflection, and - of course - learning. I love Murray's laser sharp focus on experiencing the process as opposed to choking the product.

[Kara Kuehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good. I will admit, it is a little outdated. There were some good concepts and tips, but I was not enthralled with the majority of the delivery. (-1 star)

I did, however, enjoy his discussion on "code words" in chapter 3 (page 66) and leads in chapter 4 (pages 91-96). He talks of how our code words have meaning for us, but as a writer, we need to make them have meaning for the reader. I have never read about how to construct leads before so I found his explanation to be very helpful.

Notable Quotes:
"A writer's life is at least twice lived, at the time of living and at the time of reliving" (pg. 30).

"The writer is never bored, for where others see dull monotony the writer sees potential subjects" (pg. 58).

Things to be aware of in "Write to Learn":

Language:
- 1 "crap"
- 4 "dumb"
- 3 "stupid"
- "Darn and "bugger" are mentioned as bad words
- 1 usage of the Lord's name in vain
- 1 "a**" (in a quote)

Romantic Content:
(-1 star) In my opinion, the following were completely unnecessary.
- Sex is mentioned a handful of times
- A mention of a bikini busting (in a quotation)

Additional Notes:
- Booze, alcohol and beer are mentioned
- Cigars are mentioned
- A comment is made about some writers being fat

Read my full review here: https://kbook-reviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Thomas Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third consecutive Don Murray book to read. This is the best. Lots of content. Speaks to the reader as a writer, not a teacher of writers. Slow read because of content to be digested. More like a book to study and reference for future information. Enough stuff in here to keep a writer busy learning for a while. I recommend this.

[Sonstepaul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a writer, and find that I need to return to this book every five years or so. More than any other text I have ever used, this one reminds me what I fundamentally need to know--and be reminded of--as a text creator.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's worth the read if you can wade through his own editing of his own stuff.

[Robin Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book.