Seven Steps to Confident Writing

by Alan Gelb

Not everyone is a natural writer. In fact, most people don’t think seriously about writing until, one day, they’re suddenly called upon to write an office memo or a wedding speech ― and find themselves paralyzed with self-doubt and indecision. Author Alan Gelb specializes in helping anxious writers find their voice.

During his career as a writing coach, Gelb has developed a repertoire of techniques to improve anyone’s writing, sometimes in a matter of days. Those methods are now available to everyone in Seven Steps to Confident Writing. This compact and easy-to-use book demystifies the writing process and shows readers how to break through writer’s block, sculpt concise sentences, shape well-structured paragraphs, and polish a final draft.

Best of all, readers will see for themselves that writing is not an inborn talent but a skill that can be mastered with a bit of patience and perseverance.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing

256 pages, Paperback

Published March 15, 2019

Reviews

[Jean MacLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book very much. What I especially liked was the writing itself. Sometimes it's not easy to make an instructional book entertaining. This one did. Also, I'm taking a serious look at my use of semicolons. Sometimes we get attached to superfluous stuff.
I don't know if the above will match up with Mr. Gelb's advice, but I wanted to post a thank you.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview of the writing process. I especially enjoyed the sections on grammar and editing.

Essays are discussed a lot but the advice applies just as well to fiction or nonfiction.

[Tristy at New World Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endorsements:
“The blank page can strike terror in the heart of any would-be writer. Alan Gelb has the remedy: simple, practical steps that turn a daunting task into a process anyone can master.”
— June Casagrande, author of The Joy of Syntax: A Simple Guide to All the Grammar You Know You Should Know and It Was The Best Of Sentences, It Was The Worst Of Sentences: A Writer's Guide To Crafting Killer Sentences

“Appropriate for newbies while also useful for practiced writers, Gelb’s book begs to be read from cover to cover and then kept within reach for regular consultation.”
— Booklist

“Alan Gelb offers practical direction and inspiring models to guide even the reluctant writer forward. In his book Seven Steps to Confident Writing, Gelb shows readers how to engage in the writing process and how to embrace the elements of style that will lead to writing success whether you are writing an office memo or a movie script. ‘Writing requires enormous effort,’ writes Gelb, but as a master coach he guides readers toward the ‘enormous satisfaction in bringing a piece of writing to its best state.’ This is an important book that I look forward to sharing with my students and others who need practical writing guidance.”
— Sandra Marinella, author of The Story You Need to Tell: Writing to Heal from Trauma, Illness, or Loss

“A must-have in everyone’s personal library. . . . People from high school age to much older will find it beneficial for writing school papers through last words for their loved ones in a more clear and precise manner.”
— Manhattan Book Review

“As a writer and teacher of writing, I find Seven Steps to Confident Writing by Alan Gelb to be exceptionally helpful. I have Gelb’s quotes on index cards propped around my work space. His advice is succinct and clear. Reading Alan Gelb’s book charges me with renewed energy, and I find myself heading for my latest draft to polish and refine the work.”
— Tina Welling, author of Writing Wild: Forming a Creative Partnership with Nature

“In Seven Steps to Confident Writing, Alan Gelb proves that confident writing is a skill that can be taught. He lays out practical steps and clear guidance that any writer can follow to edit and strengthen his or her writing. I look forward to using this resource with my own writing students.”
— Denise Jaden, author of Fast Fiction: A Guide to Outlining and Writing a First-Draft Novel in Thirty Days and Story Sparks: Finding Your Best Story Ideas and Turning Them Into Compelling Fiction

“Alan Gelb demystifies good writing in a tone that’s both warm and no-nonsense. What shines through is his own love of writing — the fundamentals, the precision of language, the structure of sentences (including my favorite sentence from Stuart Little), the search for your true voice, and the lapidary work of rewriting. He modestly asserts that if you’re looking to write a novel or memoir, this may not be the book for you, but I disagree. This is a book for anyone who wants to be a better writer — no matter what your experience.”
— Barbara Abercrombie, author of A Year of Writing Dangerously: 365 Days of Inspiration and Encouragement

“At the same time that writing skills are deteriorating, people in all walks of life — solo entrepreneurs, managers, engineers, and millions more — are obliged to communicate well. Writing is the skill needed today, and Alan Gelb’s Seven Steps to Confident Writing is an essential guide for anyone who must write in order to stay competitive.”
— Eric Maisel, author of A Writer's Paris: A Guided Journey For The Creative Soul

[Keilee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Books on writing often provide specific rules to abide by. The rules-based method isn’t a bad method for teaching writing, but Alan Gelb goes beyond this model by working through multiple drafts with the reader. I greatly appreciated how Gelb gave an inside look to the writer’s drafting stages and the editor’s thought process.

Writing with confidence is a hard skill, but a learnable skill. This is made evident through specific types of writing and words that signal a lack of confidence.

[Lisa Vaxmonsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

FINALLY. A step by step book that actually tells you what to do. I read through this with ease, and I’m looking forward to using this helpful book on my next writing project. Simple and straightforward.

[Rachel E. Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, solid book full of basic writing advice. A good place to start if you're a beginner, but also a nice read if you've been writing for years (like me). It was easy to read and full of actionable advice. While primarily targeted at non-fiction writers, it's good for fiction writers as well.

[Lillian Halliday · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf

[Kevin Demel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book has some good information about ways to write sentences.
It also has about 20 simple rules to edit writing.
I can use this in the future when I'm ready to develop my writing further.