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This Won't Take But a Minute, Honey
This innovative, self-published book comprises 30 short short stories, and 30 brief essays on the psychology and practice of writing.
78 pages, Paperback
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About the author
Steve Almond
89 books462 followersSteve Almond is the author of two story collections, My Life in Heavy Metal and The Evil B.B. Chow, the non-fiction book Candyfreak, and the novel Which Brings Me to You, co-written with Julianna Baggott. He lives outside Boston with his wife and baby daughter Josephine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
October 28, 2011
Wonderful book of flash fiction and flash essays detailing Almond's advice on writing. This book can only be bought at readings, I believe, so keep an eye out for him at your local writing conferences. He's an amazing speaker and writer, and his small gems are inspiring:
"We are living in an era of screen addiction and capitalist pornography. As a species, we are squandering the exalted gifts of consciousness, losing our capacity to pay attention, to imagine the suffering of others....This is the hard labor we're trying to perform: convincing strangers to translate our specks of ink into stories capable of generating rescue."
Sigh ...
"We are living in an era of screen addiction and capitalist pornography. As a species, we are squandering the exalted gifts of consciousness, losing our capacity to pay attention, to imagine the suffering of others....This is the hard labor we're trying to perform: convincing strangers to translate our specks of ink into stories capable of generating rescue."
Sigh ...
October 14, 2014
I love writing-craft books SO MUCH--just the *thought* is bringing tears to my eyes this very minute. I created an at-home (low-res?) third year to my MFA program by binge-reading craft books as fast as the public library could fulfill my hold requests, and introduced myself to the genius of Jack Bickham, Donald Maass, Julia Cameron, Adair Lara, James Scott Bell, and Stephen King as Ultimate Craft Masters. It took some time to appreciate Anne Lamott's much-loved "Bird by Bird" since it seemed to be more about process than craft (and, even then, was more about *avoiding* process/craft/actual writing, which I find delightful now but was frustrating when seeking structural guidance). Still, I learned so much from these and other authors during that blissful year where not much writing was done, but much education was had.
Steve Almond's book hits my current craft-book sweet spot: stellar, no-nonsense writing tips paired with a hint of realistic exasperation (re: crankiness) that is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. I even really-really liked the flash-fiction half of his book, which is an ASTOUNDING statement if you know anything about me and/or my motto, which is: "The only good thing about flash-fiction is that it takes even less time to NOT read than regular short stories."
(**Author's Note: in unrelated news, IntellectualRefuge.com will publish a flash-essay of mine sometime this fall...)
In a TOTALLY shallow aside that is COMPLETELY unrelated to content, the *size* of this book is ridiculously seductive; I am a Kindle convert because now I can *finally* read comfortably with one hand, etc-etc-etc, but the size & thickness of "This Won't Take But A Minute" is ideal for a print book--I LOVED bending back the pages and creasing the spine and it touched my memory for how pleasureable it can be to hold a paper book.
Don't wait too many minutes, Honeys, before ordering this book (I'm truly sorry, but I HAD to say it)--it offers astute writing instruction & wit-filled delight, both of which are in short order these days.
Steve Almond's book hits my current craft-book sweet spot: stellar, no-nonsense writing tips paired with a hint of realistic exasperation (re: crankiness) that is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. I even really-really liked the flash-fiction half of his book, which is an ASTOUNDING statement if you know anything about me and/or my motto, which is: "The only good thing about flash-fiction is that it takes even less time to NOT read than regular short stories."
(**Author's Note: in unrelated news, IntellectualRefuge.com will publish a flash-essay of mine sometime this fall...)
In a TOTALLY shallow aside that is COMPLETELY unrelated to content, the *size* of this book is ridiculously seductive; I am a Kindle convert because now I can *finally* read comfortably with one hand, etc-etc-etc, but the size & thickness of "This Won't Take But A Minute" is ideal for a print book--I LOVED bending back the pages and creasing the spine and it touched my memory for how pleasureable it can be to hold a paper book.
Don't wait too many minutes, Honeys, before ordering this book (I'm truly sorry, but I HAD to say it)--it offers astute writing instruction & wit-filled delight, both of which are in short order these days.
December 17, 2012
Every writer should read these fantastically funny and hard hitting essays about the process. I even liked the short stories, and you know how I feel about short stories.
For more about Steve Almond including a video and a juxtaposition with Orhan Pamuk, check out the full book review on my blog.
For more about Steve Almond including a video and a juxtaposition with Orhan Pamuk, check out the full book review on my blog.
April 24, 2020
Maybe closer to 3.5 but I felt like the quality was consistently high on both the flash fiction and the essays so it gets rounded up...
These are interesting and varied flash fiction pieces - a little dry and distant at times for my taste but really well-written. And when they did hit for me, they hit hard. "Stop" for instance, was fantastic. Overall, a high quality collection.
The opposite side of this slim volume is essays on the craft of writing. Almond is quite good at being blunt (maybe succinct is a better term but I'm sticking with blunt) about writing dos and don'ts but always follows them up with real, quality reasons why. There were some bits of advice that I bristled at - sometimes because I genuinely disagreed with them, sometimes because I recognized them as things that I often did wrong/out of laziness. These essays are definitely worth the read for any writer of fiction.
Definitely an interesting read altogether.
These are interesting and varied flash fiction pieces - a little dry and distant at times for my taste but really well-written. And when they did hit for me, they hit hard. "Stop" for instance, was fantastic. Overall, a high quality collection.
The opposite side of this slim volume is essays on the craft of writing. Almond is quite good at being blunt (maybe succinct is a better term but I'm sticking with blunt) about writing dos and don'ts but always follows them up with real, quality reasons why. There were some bits of advice that I bristled at - sometimes because I genuinely disagreed with them, sometimes because I recognized them as things that I often did wrong/out of laziness. These essays are definitely worth the read for any writer of fiction.
Definitely an interesting read altogether.
July 5, 2017
I liked the whole thing, but, honestly, I liked the first half - the flash fiction - more than the 2nd half - the "essays" about writing. Very enjoyable nonetheless.
January 11, 2011
Half essays on writing, half micro fiction, This Won’t Take But A Minute, Honey can be read entirely in an afternoon, or like the title says, for a moment here and there. It is designed to fit in a back pocket and does away with dense ruminations on inspiration and style. “Writing is decision making,” Almond says. “Nothing more and nothing less.”
Almond’s stories hover between the beautiful past and the potential of a glowing future, all filtered through melancholy. Love and regret both reach their peaks at one crucial moment, and “These are the minutes he wishes were a thousand years” (“Chibás Speaks”). When else do we learn?
His borrowed edict that every word should receive scrutiny is true, and his descriptions are perfect. Even in stories I did not enjoy as much compared with others, I could pluck out at least one sentence that made me say, Yes.
(Full review can be found at Glorified Love Letters.)
Almond’s stories hover between the beautiful past and the potential of a glowing future, all filtered through melancholy. Love and regret both reach their peaks at one crucial moment, and “These are the minutes he wishes were a thousand years” (“Chibás Speaks”). When else do we learn?
His borrowed edict that every word should receive scrutiny is true, and his descriptions are perfect. Even in stories I did not enjoy as much compared with others, I could pluck out at least one sentence that made me say, Yes.
(Full review can be found at Glorified Love Letters.)
March 24, 2017
Daily vitamins for my writing regimen. Steve Almond is that sidewalk prophet treading the streets and trenches, baring purified measures of technical advice on the writing craft.
If you flip this book on its front and turn it 180 degree's, you'll get 30 pieces of flash fiction that will satisfy your fix for fiction. I recommend this to you. It might be hard to find though. Try the Harvard's Bookstore; I think they have it for about 10 bucks. It's a small book, but you'll get a lot of mileage out of it.
If you flip this book on its front and turn it 180 degree's, you'll get 30 pieces of flash fiction that will satisfy your fix for fiction. I recommend this to you. It might be hard to find though. Try the Harvard's Bookstore; I think they have it for about 10 bucks. It's a small book, but you'll get a lot of mileage out of it.
April 30, 2020
This is my favorite book in the world to teach people how to write. I have pointed so many friends and students to the materials in the essays section and I think of so many of them every time I sit down to write. There's some sage advice in here, presented in a pithy, entertaining language. The stories on the other side of the book are also fun examples of flash-fiction. The book is just a gold mine and I highly recommend it to anyone who does any sort of writing (fiction, non-fiction, essays, grants and so forth).
May 31, 2010
When it comes to talking about writing, whether it's at readings or on paper, Steve Almond is one of the most honest and inspiring writers on the subject. This little book features a bunch of short essays on one side and some of the author's flash fictions on the other. Steve's flashes are always poetic and sturdy but it's his thoughts on writing that make this an awesome read.
January 30, 2019
Good essays. Ok stories.
June 20, 2019
Steve Almond is a generous teacher and excellent writer. Best craft book I’ve read yet. With gratitude, Cat Fagelson
August 9, 2019
the ONLY craft book I consistently use.
October 22, 2020
Masterfully beautiful stories that take up less than a page.
December 22, 2020
The essays are excellent, dark, attitude-filled lessons on writing, loaded with practical advice. The flash fiction is at times grim, poignant and funny, making you wish the stories were longer.
March 3, 2021
The writer's author. Highly recommend keeping this handy for savory snacking. Almond makes it look easy.
January 28, 2024
Got this book in a writing workshop as a gift. It was amazing! Really recommend it.
December 31, 2014
This short book of microstories and meditations on writing was printed on Harvard Bookstore's book printing machine. It's a pleasantly packaged self-published item. The only thing I still don't like about books produced this way is the lack of lamination on the covers. It often feels like the ink could rub off on your hands, and in my experience working with books produced on various generations of such short-run-printing machines, that does sometimes happen.
But apart from that, I enjoyed this little book very much. I liked the thirty observations on writing more than the thirty short stories, but that is in part because I think writing advice is best given in small doses. Stories are best given in larger doses. This is not to say that lengthy pieces of writing advice cannot be excellent. They can, but they are not apt to supply me with the handy tools I find most helpful. Perhaps some writers like an extended pep talk and desire dozens of examples for every bit of wisdom they're offered. But to me, good advice provides handy tools. The tools fit many circumstances, and to do so they need to be brief, incisive, easy to remember. The advice here is like that: Here's an overarching goal. Here are some modes of expressions to be avoided. Here is what may be happening when things are not adding up as you intend.
These things are easy to remember and easy to scan over again for a quick refresher. I am a fan of this format and of Almond's viewpoint and advice.
And then there are the stories. As I say, I think stories work better in larger doses. I do like very brief stories too, but they are like appetizers. They are for the moment, and they almost never stick with me. They don't create a sustained effect. They have too little happening for there to be a key resonant moment or a perfect, troubling detail to loom large. I liked most of Almond's stories. They are varied and interesting. They have curious viewpoints. They avoid repetition and encompass a wide collection of experiences. But they come and go quickly, and I found myself reading them over again just a week or so after my first run-through, and very few of them had stuck in my memory.
Of course, my memory is not what it once was, so bear that in mind.
But apart from that, I enjoyed this little book very much. I liked the thirty observations on writing more than the thirty short stories, but that is in part because I think writing advice is best given in small doses. Stories are best given in larger doses. This is not to say that lengthy pieces of writing advice cannot be excellent. They can, but they are not apt to supply me with the handy tools I find most helpful. Perhaps some writers like an extended pep talk and desire dozens of examples for every bit of wisdom they're offered. But to me, good advice provides handy tools. The tools fit many circumstances, and to do so they need to be brief, incisive, easy to remember. The advice here is like that: Here's an overarching goal. Here are some modes of expressions to be avoided. Here is what may be happening when things are not adding up as you intend.
These things are easy to remember and easy to scan over again for a quick refresher. I am a fan of this format and of Almond's viewpoint and advice.
And then there are the stories. As I say, I think stories work better in larger doses. I do like very brief stories too, but they are like appetizers. They are for the moment, and they almost never stick with me. They don't create a sustained effect. They have too little happening for there to be a key resonant moment or a perfect, troubling detail to loom large. I liked most of Almond's stories. They are varied and interesting. They have curious viewpoints. They avoid repetition and encompass a wide collection of experiences. But they come and go quickly, and I found myself reading them over again just a week or so after my first run-through, and very few of them had stuck in my memory.
Of course, my memory is not what it once was, so bear that in mind.
September 16, 2010
Steve Almond's flash fictions are original in every way--not just slant or style. Yet they bring you to the brink of recalling a dream you may have had. They sometimes feel, to me, as if they're tapping into an intimate but collective unconscious.
When I read the flash fiction in This Won't Take But a Minute, Honey, I had been writing them myself for the online 'zine, "The View from Here." ***
After reading Steve Almond's, however, I'm no longer writing flash fiction. Perhaps one day I'll hit upon a way to write what is mine to write in fewer than 500 words. But my guess is that reincarnation would be required along with me living like a saint starting now.
Almond's flash fiction could have only sprung from a singular sensibility. The fact that they're self-published shows that exceptional, powerful work isn't always welcome in commercial publishing, for Steve Almond is a popular and savvy writer if not fully saturated in celebrity.
Flip this little book over and he presents brief stories revealing tried-and-true writing advice. His funny, generous, straight-forward personality makes rules for writing fun. But rules they are. For a beginning writer, these lessons present a blue-jean pocket-size education that's indispensable. And naturally, Almond offers the caveat that rules are meant for those who've thoroughly learned them to break--sometimes.
Much as I might wish the book offered more flash fiction and less advice I've heard before, I must admit that had I read these entertaining and reassuring lessons when I was furtively attempting fiction, certain I'd fail, it would have saved me years of scribbling in circles.
Further, for a scatter-shot like me, this neat package of rules offered in wry style can only help.
***(Btw, "The View from Here" continues to thrive online and has extended offerings in a gorgeous monthly publication, both headed by Mike French from England.)
When I read the flash fiction in This Won't Take But a Minute, Honey, I had been writing them myself for the online 'zine, "The View from Here." ***
After reading Steve Almond's, however, I'm no longer writing flash fiction. Perhaps one day I'll hit upon a way to write what is mine to write in fewer than 500 words. But my guess is that reincarnation would be required along with me living like a saint starting now.
Almond's flash fiction could have only sprung from a singular sensibility. The fact that they're self-published shows that exceptional, powerful work isn't always welcome in commercial publishing, for Steve Almond is a popular and savvy writer if not fully saturated in celebrity.
Flip this little book over and he presents brief stories revealing tried-and-true writing advice. His funny, generous, straight-forward personality makes rules for writing fun. But rules they are. For a beginning writer, these lessons present a blue-jean pocket-size education that's indispensable. And naturally, Almond offers the caveat that rules are meant for those who've thoroughly learned them to break--sometimes.
Much as I might wish the book offered more flash fiction and less advice I've heard before, I must admit that had I read these entertaining and reassuring lessons when I was furtively attempting fiction, certain I'd fail, it would have saved me years of scribbling in circles.
Further, for a scatter-shot like me, this neat package of rules offered in wry style can only help.
***(Btw, "The View from Here" continues to thrive online and has extended offerings in a gorgeous monthly publication, both headed by Mike French from England.)
Read
September 28, 2014One half/side of this small book are essays about writing (and/or trying to write, which is part of the writing...
"I've come to see love in more precise terms, as an act of sustained attention implying eventual mercy."
And then there's "20a. What You Should Be Writing About - Anything you can't get rid of by other means"
The other half (which you have to turn the book over and upside down to get to, are short shorts. Don't know if they qualify as flash fiction, but none are longer than a page.
Steve's another VCFA PWC guy. He's had another kid since I saw him last a few years ago. If you ever run into him in person, ask if you can buy one of his little books. Not sure you can get 'em any other way.
"I've come to see love in more precise terms, as an act of sustained attention implying eventual mercy."
And then there's "20a. What You Should Be Writing About - Anything you can't get rid of by other means"
The other half (which you have to turn the book over and upside down to get to, are short shorts. Don't know if they qualify as flash fiction, but none are longer than a page.
Steve's another VCFA PWC guy. He's had another kid since I saw him last a few years ago. If you ever run into him in person, ask if you can buy one of his little books. Not sure you can get 'em any other way.
April 12, 2010
Steve Almond only sells this book at readings. It's a collection of 30 vignettes, which are a little hit-or-miss but have some truly shining moments, and a 30-part essay on writing which it would behoove every author to read. It includes subjects such as having a good bullshit detector, hurting your own and other's feelings, and why many of the things you think you're doing in your writing are pretty fucking dumb.
October 25, 2010
A fun little picker upper. It is a flip book: short stories by Almond on one side and writing tips on the other. I may not have agreed with all the writing tips, but there is not a doubt in my mind, that Almond has the craft down. And more importantly, he is a damn fine writer who is also not afraid to teach.
October 30, 2012
politicians take note:
he doesn't bullshit around questions, so you might think he is being too blunt.
children take note:
you want the facts, you read the book.
people in general take note:
I had to order this through Harvard.
I took note:
On that even though this was a text-book for class, I ended up reading it again, again, and again.
he doesn't bullshit around questions, so you might think he is being too blunt.
children take note:
you want the facts, you read the book.
people in general take note:
I had to order this through Harvard.
I took note:
On that even though this was a text-book for class, I ended up reading it again, again, and again.
March 16, 2010
These flash stories and essays on the craft of writing are sublime. A reminder of what wisdom and beauty can exist in the small things. Steve Almond's voice is second-to-none. I could eat his flash on toast.
September 27, 2010
I liked the essays slightly better -- real, good, honest advice that essentially boils down to one thing: make good decisions at the keyboard (or type-writer, or pen-to-paper), and the rest will set you free. Or something. Cool, guys.
March 27, 2011
One half brief but brilliant observations on the craft of writing fiction and one half brilliantly executed short stories that show Almond knows what he's talking about, this one is a must-read for any creative writer, and for anyone who loves creative writing.
December 24, 2011
A real innovative book, printed on the Harvard Book Store's EBM has two sides, one, essays about writing, the other short shorts. True to all Steve Almond, the language is extremely effective and meaningful, and a pleasure to read.
February 13, 2012
Fantastic flashes, great craft essays. Detailed comments at A Just Recompense.
April 22, 2012
so normally how to write books bug me and this one did bug me but in that kinda good way when i realize the shit he calls people out on is the shit i'm kinda doing...
the brevity also really helped allow his points to be the focus and not him...
helpful, yes...
the brevity also really helped allow his points to be the focus and not him...
helpful, yes...
June 4, 2013
I met Steve Almond in 2009 at a writer's residency and when he read from this new book of his I found the essays on craft and flash stories both absorbing and compelling. This tiny little book is full of advice for writers and it's supremely entertaining.
March 8, 2014
I've pretty much memorized every one of this book's flash craft essays. Almond lives and breathes and sweats and seethes writing, and his love for and understanding of how to write well is so apparent throughout. The super-short stories, also, are beauties.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews