Writing to Be Understood: What Works and Why

by Anne Janzer (Author and narrator)

Are you interested in writing but not sure where to start? This “straightforward, practical guide” (Publishers Weekly) provides listeners with simple tips and tricks for effective nonfiction writing. Using science-based insight and advice from established writers, this informative listen will give you the tools and inspiration you need to reach an audience and make an impact!

Audiobook

Published August 9, 2019

Reviews

[Marizaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely read non-fiction. I have to read a lot non-fiction for my studies so prefer fiction. It’s a lot more fun to read about dragons and wizards than reading about real world stuff. This book was very helpful in my daily writing, especially writing for Die Student and Akademia Student Newsletters. My only problem with the book was the narrator of book voice kind of bore me. I would often find myself wondering off. The book in general was very good overall and useful in your general non-fiction writing.

[Brigitte Ayerves Valderas · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a writer and editor, I ended up devouring this book. In other words, I listened to it as soon as I received it and completed it within 24 hours. This book presents writing techniques, resources, and tools, and it treats writing as a science. Many people assume that writing boils down to picking up a pen or tapping their fingertips on the keyboard to produce few sentences and paragraphs that create content. However, they don't realize its effectiveness results from developing it as a skill, which means understanding writing rules and techniques.

I appreciate this book for its smart and fresh approach to the writing process. I have come across a few books about the writing process that are conversations about the author's writing habits with a few suggestions and nuggets of information about technique. In this book, the author gives away a writing technique right up front in the introduction. This action sets the direction as well as your expectations for the flow of information.

The author, Anne Janzer, begins the book by talking about, in my opinion, the most crucial aspect of writing: the audience. Time and time again, as a copy editor, I find that people write with no clue about the members of their audience. They often fill up their writing with jargon and acronyms. I love how the author reinforces the fact that simplicity can show the writer's knowledge, and when introducing a new or complex concept you need to provide an explanation.

In this book, the reader learns topics not often discussed in writing books, such as the importance of expressing empathy to understand the perspective of the audience and the foundations of moral feeling and thought.

Janzer not only conducted research but also studied nonfiction writing to discover how to weave specific writing methods throughout a story. I like that I can walk away with information that I can exercise and implement in my work today. I plan to listen to this book a few more times to reinforce the techniques and concepts so I can enhance my writing.

I would recommend this book to high school teachers and college educators who teach English and Journalism. Janzer's approach encouraged me to look up other books she's written and her author page. I would love to read more from this author and see how she addresses other writing topics, such as the editing process.

I truly enjoyed this book and think it's an excellent read for people attempting to improve their writing skills.

[Flora · Rating 4 out of 5]

What has curiosity got to do with writing? How can you turn a boring subject into a captivating one and keep the attention of your readers? How do you pursuade readers who have already made up their mind?

All these questions and more are answered in Anne Janzer's book Writing to be Understood.

Beginning non-fiction writer will find a lot to help them get off to a good start and more advanced writers will find a lot to help them bring their writings up a notch or two.

I liked that the author interviewed other writers for advice on types of writing she is not familiar with, and that she refers to the works of a lot of other writers to gain valuable insights.

It suddenly occurred to me while listening to a talk that all the tips given by Ms Janzer are applicable in all types of communications – not only in non-fiction writing, and not only for written communications. In fact, they will be useful for anyone who needs to communicate in whatever format, be it in a formal or informal setting.

The author did a good job narrating her own book, her narration is clear and smooth. I did find the occasional amused tone of voice rather distracting though.

A practical and excellent book for anyone who wants to communicate well so that people understand and keep on reading or listening to whatever you wanted to communicate. I will be sure to listen to this audiobook again.
Thank you Netgalley and Cuesta Park Consulting for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed that this book was concise and well-written, and having the author narrate the book was the icing on the cake! It was like having a conversation with a friend, on a sunny afternoon with a cup of tea on the porch. While the author is writing primarily for those writing nonfiction, I can see many other applications of the guidance given in this book, such as for instructional designers, academic writers, faculty, or even fiction writers! Several of these tips are general for writing (know your audience, use analogies, write to the reader's curiosity, etc.) but as a novice writer with no formal background in writing, I found these to be helpful. The author practices what she preaches, as she keeps the reader's attention using the very tips she writes about. The book includes interviews and examples from other popular authors to support how to communicate well in writing, and be understood more effectively.

I'm interested in getting this book in print, as I found myself wanting to write down much of what was shared. I can see this book being used by writing courses, or others wanting to improve their writing technique.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the independent publisher, for the copy of the audiobook in exchange for my review.

[Kara of BookishBytes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a lot of narrative nonfiction and self-help and business nonfiction, but I've never read a book targeted at authors of nonfiction.

To a great degree, the information here is straightforward and predictable. Know your audience. How much explanation do they need? Illustrative stories and analogies can make your point relatable, but only if the story or analogy is strong enough that you can structure your book around it. Otherwise, don't try to structure your book around it. Use an authentic voice, but don't be condescending or patronizing to your reader.

Also, as you can see from the examples above, it is impossible for Ms. Janzer to give definitive answers to the reader of this book of exactly how to write. Each situation will be different. So she gives a list of issues to consider--and it is a helpful list--but it boils down to a list.

If you are a nonfiction writer, get a copy of this book, but understand that it won't solve all of your problems. It will give you valid and important issues to consider as you organize, write and edit your work.

[SamDojtez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity.

I loved this audiobook, the author did a great job with creating a wonderful ressource for anyone who wants to write. I'm an English teacher and I found some really useful advices in this book and bought the physical copy to be able to go back and get more from the book.

However as it's a book with writing advices the audiobook is a bit limited as it's more difficult to take notes and to go back on some advices when we need it. So I would recommend to go along with a physical copy or an e-book even though the author (who is also the narrator) did a great job narrating it.

[Callista Goh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janzer's Writing to Be Understood acts as a guide to narrow down one's target audience and empathise with the needs and desires of the reader. This book is a useful text for anyone who wants to strengthen their nonfiction writing - Janzer explains in-depth tips for how to engage one's readership and provides great advice. However, I feel as if this text would have been more effective in book format, rather than audiobook, due to the nature of its content.

I received complementary access to this book from the author, Cuesta Park Consulting and Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Emma Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book advising writers on how to put their readers first and deliver readable, engaging, concise prose. Janzer’s conversational style and the layout of the chapters makes it accessible and easy to read. There is plenty to keep the novice writer on track and it’s a great resource to keep referring to in the future.

Thanks to Independent Book Publishers Association and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are my own.

[Sarah Faichney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Janzer expertly dissects and deconstructs non-fiction writing in order to help other writers improve their work. She refers to a wealth of writing resources throughout. Plenty of food for thought and invaluable advice for writers of non-fiction to ensure that their work is accessible to the widest audience possible. The audiobook is brilliantly narrated by the author herself.

[Rosemarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was completely unable to get into this audiobook. The author wasn't the right person to have as narrator. I was too distracted by her voice and intonation to take in what she was saying. I'm sorry, because I really liked what little I heard and could process.

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clear guide to writing non-fiction with your audience in mind. Would recommend to both novices and veterans to improve their craft.

[KayCee K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading books about writing. I enjoy learning about all the different ways people write, plot, developments and so on. I have read so many.
This book was well balanced. One of my favorite parts that this book covered was about how to make sure you nonfiction books are balanced with data with personal stories. It diving into word choice and how to go about picking words and what will work best not just for you as the writer but for readers.
There is a bit about how your word choice can impact the readers and how to go about writing for all audiences not just reading in your field.
The audiobook is good but I did find a few parts that were a little squeaky or pitchy.
This is a well-written book, it didn't blow me away or teach me something brand new but it's a good brush up to book.