Method Writing: The First Four Concepts

by Jack Grapes

Method Writing is a powerful approach to finding your deep voice and activating the creative process. Based on a series of concepts and exercises Grapes has used in his writing workshops over the last 30-plus years, Method Writing does more than describe techniques: it takes you step-by-step through a process that will empower your writing and make it unique.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Michelle Monti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book during an 8-week writing workshop and it totally changed my writing - and me. This is the first book for level 1 writers. It challenges you to unlearn everything you learned about how you "should" write, and just write like you talk. (This is just one exercise in Grapes' method.) Like magic, I feel more authentic in my writing for fun and for work, too. Highly recommend.

[Joshua Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredible principles and pedagogy somehow written very poorly. Great teachers aren’t always great writers and vice versa. I do not feel at all compelled to seek out Grapes’ non-instructional writing. However, I’m ordering the Advanced follow-up to this right now. I read the four concepts while concurrently teaching them in my university songwriting class and it made for a very refreshing semester.

Concept 2, which seems to be his favorite, is the sloppiest and most slippery. Concept 3 of creating an image-moment was revelatory to me and will undoubtedly change the way I write.

Wanted to rate this higher, but he needs a better editor and fewer and shorter quotes. Also you should be able to get a copy for less than $30.

[Ahimsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most useful how-to-write books I've ever seen.

[Penelope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a work in progress.

[Johnny Cordova · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an editor of a small press journal, I wish more poets would read this book.

As a poet, I wish it were around when I was starting out.