The Book on Writing

by Paula LaRocque

You’re going to love the way Paula LaRocque teaches in The Book on Writing. A celebrated writing coach with a sense of humor and a gentle touch, she’s also a master writer herself with a long and distinguished career in both teaching and practicing the art of writing.The Book on Writing contains 25 chapters in three A dozen essential but easy-to-apply guidelines to good writing, from the importance of clarity to the value of a conversational tone. Paula LaRocque believes learning is easier and more successful when we are not only told but also shown. So her Book on Writing is chockfull of actual writing examples that supplement and illustrate principles that apply as naturally to fiction as they do to nonfiction.How to tell a story—from building suspense, to effective description, to the uses of metaphor and literary devices. Paula LaRocque also deals with the narrative “engine” and the value of the archetype in plotting and characterization—as well as with pace and speed and leveling what she terms writing’s “speedbumps.” A clear and concise handbook that deals with common problems in grammar, usage, punctuation, and style—the kind of problems that often trouble even wordsmiths. The handbook also debunks pesky language “rules” that are actually myths. The Book on Writing is one-stop shopping for writers. Read it once, and you’ll be a better writer. Read it often, and you’ll be among the best.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

255 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2013

About the author

Paula is an editor, communications consultant, and author of nonfiction who has recently turned her attention to writing fiction. Her first novel, a mystery titled “Chalk Line,” will be published by Marion Street Press, Inc., in 2011.

Often hailed as one of America’s foremost writing coaches, Paula has conducted writing workshops for hundreds of media, government, academic, and business groups across the United States, Canada, and Europe. She also has served as a writing consultant for the Associated Press, the Drehscheibe Institute in Bonn, and the European Stars & Stripes in Germany.

From 1971 to 1981, she taught technical communication at Western Michigan University’s School of Engineering and, after moving to Texas, taught journalism at Texas A&M, Southern Methodist, and Texas Christian universities. From 1981 to 2001, she was assistant managing editor and writing coach at The Dallas Morning News.

She has been a columnist for the Society of Professional Journalists’ Quill magazine for more than 20 years. Her commentaries on the language air regularly on National Public Radio in Dallas, and she’s author of three books on writing (Marion Street Press).

After leaving The Dallas Morning News in 2001, Paula -- now a member of the Mystery Writers of America and of the Dallas-Fort Worth Writers Workshop -- wrote the first two books of a mystery series. The series features detective Ben Gallagher and is set in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

A member of the Associated Press Managing Editors association from the early 1990s through 2001, she was elected to the Board of Directors and appointed an officer. In 2001, the association granted her its highest honor: the Meritorious Service Award for exemplary contribution to journalism.

She earned a BA degree Summa Cum Laude in 1971 and an MA in 1972 (Western Michigan University). She also worked on a doctorate, but her career became so demanding she did not complete it.

Reviews

[Diana Coza · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is full of good principles, examples, comparisons and wisdom on writing...well. I enjoyed the part where the author digs in the importance of simplicity and cutting wordiness and the whole theory around monosyllabic words. I'd be so happy if I could remember and put in practice all the tips I read.

[M.K. Casperson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely glad I read this book. I found it rather dull, but then again, I find most books on writing dull. So don't hold that against it. I knew I needed to keep reading when I found myself drawing on its lessons while I wrote.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book for a course that I'm taking. While I think it had some helpful tips, I found the author to be extremely long-winded. He would ramble on for paragraph after paragraph just repeating his earlier sentiment.

[Michael Loveless · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is full of good advice on writing style. The author's is that simple and clear writing is more effective. There are many specific ideas for what to do and what not to do. Examples are used to illustrate the points. Almost anyone could benefit from reading The Book on Writing.

[Carolee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem. Originally published in 2003, I didn't run into anything outdated.

It's an excellent resource for learning to write well and for unlearning common grammar myths. I work in both fiction and nonfiction and I would highly recommend it to all writers, no matter what your genre is. Even for people who aren't writers, but have to write as part of their jobs.

The chapters cover many topics: sentence structure, use of metaphors, clarity in writing, trusting your readers, and sections on mechanics (i.e. grammar quiz with explanations, a style guide). Truly an invaluable resource, but also written in a style that is both engaging and direct.

I couldn't possibly remember all the mechanics that I was embarrassed to be ignorant of. (It's okay, by the way, to end sentences with prepositions and to use adverbs when needed. Isn't that liberating?) But I know where to look for them when I get jammed up.

I had many of those WHAT?! moments, for example:

--Did you know "decimate" means to destroy a fraction (1/10), rather than to destroy? Apparently, once upon a time when there were uprisings and such, punishment was some times doled out against 1 person in every 10.

--The word is "minuscule" not "miniscule"? (I don't think I've ever written it, but I have definitely pronounced it incorrectly. Many times.)

(Oh, also, you should really never use parentheses. I'm looking for a support group, no worries.)

--The phrase is "spit and image" not "spitting image." Again, not one I've used, but I'm fascinated.

Buy this book. Keep it handy.

[Ilham Alam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who is serious about improving their creative or technical writing, should read this book. And definitely re-read it again and again. I liked the no b.s., matter of fact tone of her writing too. I love writing and love to read books about the craft of writing

[Jez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read and assigned parts of this book for my students in a college level writing course. Although some sections are geared more toward fiction writers, it is useful for academic writing. This is especially true in LaRocque's discussions on drafting and revising (and revising again). The suggested practice of writing a paragraph with one-syllable words, which I did with my students, helps break the annoying habit of college writing where "utilize"often trumps "use." A quick and easy read that put me (and hopefully my students) a little more at ease with the writing process.

[Jeffrey Philips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many useful subjects were covered. The chapter on using single-syllable words was the most helpful. Single-syllable words make your sentences direct, to the point, and understandable. Very interesting.

[Raman Ohri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the first half - excellent advice on writing for any purpose. The advice is quite similar to Tom Sant's stuff, to the point where I doubt you need to read both. The back half of the book is more specific to creative writing, which is not something I do often.

[Brigetta Barone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the best, most practical writing tips I've ever read.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awesome guide for aspiring writers or those who need help working on style and accessibility of their prose. Highly recommended.

[Jason Coleman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too technical, couldn't really get into it. It just seemed like an entire novel about mistakes to avoid. After a while all the chapters seem to blur together.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic book. Unfortunately, with texting and blogs and social media, the art of writing is becoming lost. Or perhaps evolving to a new future. Either way, this book is great.