Joy Writing: Discover and Develop Your creative voice

by Kenn Amdahl

An entertaining and readable introduction to creative writing by the author of There Are No Electrons, The Land of Debris and the Home of Alfredo, Jumper and the Bones, Revenge of the Pond Scum, and co author of Algebra Unplugged and Calculus for Cats. Features examples from over 50 authors (both how to and how not to), from Shakespeare to Donald Trump. Blurbs by George Garrett, Reg Saner, Edward Ormondroyd, Barbara Steiner, Leslie O'Kane, and Francine Mathews.

After you've readi Joy Writing, there are many books about writing to consider, each with a unique slant, by authors like Anne Lamott, EB White, William Zinsser, William Strunk, EM Forster, eric bork, Siri Carpenter, Robert McKee, Sacha, Black, Holladay, Wendell, stephen king, pressfield, and dreyer

Genres: Writing

151 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

Reviews

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never heard of this guy. I learned from the epilogue that he is a self-published writer of funny books about math. He lives by the abundance mentality, that if you're willing to work hard, we're not in competition with one another.

But it was his fresh practicality that really sold me on this book. There were detail issues and big picture issues. The one thing that really revolutionized my thinking on writing started at the beginning and was referenced throughout: the idea of having two writers inside you. One is Bart Simpson, the messy art-slinging child who flings creativity wall to wall. And then Colonel Klink comes in and tightens, organizes, cleans up the mess with editing. If I can just compartmentalize and think "this is a Bart Simpson hour" and "this is the time for my Colonel Klink," I'll be in good shape.

This was a fun read on what could've been a boring topic. Just so happens that was one of his points: If you're passionate about the topic, your readers will be too. If you're not, you should become passionate or change topics.

[Kenn Amdahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm the author of this book. I'm new to goodreads, and guessing it would be highly inappropriate for me to plug my own books much. So, let me just say that it will transform you from an ordinary writer into the absolute best writer in the universe.

Thanks.
Kenn Amdahl

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with great tips.

[Jennifer Kepesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book that encourages teachers to embrace and encourage writing that is not a follow-on to a writing lesson. Amdahl is one of the people who founded the Writer's Workshop movement, so he is not suggesting that WW be set aside, but rather that teachers create opportunities for writing that are not graded or workshopped, just appreciated. He speaks of writing for two things--to express one's inner self, and writing as a way to crystallize one's thoughts. This is in contrast to the performative aspects of writing. He encourages teachers to teach to the level the child is at, not for what they will need to work on. He suggests numerous writing outlets, what he calls the "greenbelt" approach and the "feral" approach. Some great ideas include blogs that all students can write and read (I will try to set this up!). Wonder notebooks that are just questions, a class notebook that's passed around, a monthlong slice-of-life writing challenge that's voluntary (there's a yearly challenge each March). I'm also looking for ways to implement a more traditional writer's workshop but still have it be Montessori-compatible, and this is helpful with the idea of getting lots of writing going, but not yet satisfying my need for the more formal lessons and practice of writing.

[Magill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly written in an easy-going, humorous manner.
No other book has made me want to drop everything and start writing as much as this one did.
And in fact, I did just that. Several times.
Amdahl doesn’t lay out rules or tell you how to write, he makes suggestions and then says, “but you decide.”
I love this. Reading Amdahl’s book gave me permission to write badly, to make up my own rules, to decide for myself what works.
While some books on writing come off as superior, condescending or patronizing, Amdahl’s book didn’t try to teach me things that any aspiring writer should already know. He gives the reader credit for intelligence and the ability to think and to choose for oneself.
He continually says, “you decide, make up your own mind.” I love that he gives the reader/writer agency of their own.
When he writes “don’t listen to me” it makes me lean in a little closer to hear what he has to say.
My favorite quote from the book, “Do what you want, just don’t do it accidentally.”
Brilliant.

[Tom Britz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book on writing was well thought out and the author gave plenty of great examples to illustrate his points. He was also quite funny. I not only learned a few things, but had fun doing it.

[Pam Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm new to writing and trying to quickly catch up by reading everything I can to learn my craft.
Kenn's book is one that I will be referring to frequently. I've practically highlighted the whole Kindle version of the book.
This book helps me dissect the books I read as well.

[Karen Douglass · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introduction almost put me off, very general (as introductions often are) and did not prepare me for the distinctive voice and smart discussions of a writing life.