Book Reviews
Book Review: Unleash the Writer Within
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What better way to start the new year than with a new book about writing! I know, you might think you have more writing books than you need. But there’s always room for one more, especially if it’s offered by someone like master writer Cecil Murphey.
Unleash the Writer Within: The Essential Writers Companion is not a textbook, not a collection of how-to articles, nor is it a marketing guide. It’s a tutorial on discovering who you are as a writer so that you can better tell your unique story. You can be a master of writing techniques and marketing, but, unless your writing is authentic, it will fall flat with readers.
As stated in the promotional material, Unleash the Writer Within helps you:
- Develop your voice and writing style.
- Learn to write with heart.
- Become authentic to your readers.
- Grapple with the dreaded “Writer’s Block.”
- Harness the inner critic (and a few outer ones too).
- Expand your comfort zone.
Each of the 27 chapters is based on an aphorism about writing. For example, the first chapter explores “I write to find out who I am.” Murphey shares his experience helping others answer the question: “Why do you write?” By the time I reached the end of the book, I think Murphey answered every question I’ve ever asked myself about writing. From writer’s block to finding and expanding your comfort zone, Murphey covers it all.
Unleash the Writer Within is brand-new. In fact, there are no online reviews yet. You can sample the first couple of chapters at this link. I recommend that you get your copy right away. I predict that you will get a lot out of the first reading, but I also think you will want to revisit parts of it often. So, start your new year by inviting Cecil Murphey to walk with you your writing journey this year.
Buy it on Amazon.com by clicking on this link: Unleash the Writer Within
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from author Cecil Murphey without any strings attached. I was not required to publish any review at all. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Give Books for Christmas
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Announcement: Reba Cross Seals won the drawing for the free copy of A Brief Guide for Writers. Reba lives in the mountains of West Texas. Her work-in-progress is Screams on Paper: A Widow’s Journey Back to Life.
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What better way to support your fellow writers than to buy their books as Christmas gifts? Not everyone likes to read just for fun, but everyone needs information. As you make your Christmas gift list, think books first.
I’ve made a sample Christmas list below. Click the link in each listing to access reviews on my book review blog. If you decide to purchase a book, I’d appreciate it if you would click through to Amazon from my blog post so that I can get credit for the sale.
For those who like non-fiction Christian content (or for “seekers”):
- Committed But Flawed by Cecil Murphey
- Heaven Is for Real by Todd Burpo
- Daily Devotions Inspired by 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper & Cecil Murphey
- Anything by Cecil Murphey
For fiction fans:
- Lynn Austin is my favorite historical fiction author. See all my reviews on her work here
- Consider romantic suspense by Virginia Smith. Reviews here.
- Jerry Jenkins is a favorite, too.
For political junkies:
- Be the People by Carol M. Swain, PhD
- The Faith of Ronald Reagan by Mary Beth Brown
- The Fight of Our Lives by William Bennett
For writer friends;
- Know a beginner-writer? Either Writing for the Soul or Writers on Writing would be perfect.
- Browse all my reviews of writing books here.
- See my book review blog for other ideas.
I welcome additions to this list from my readers. To suggest books, just comment on this post. Be sure to include a link to the author’s site or to a listing of the author’s work on Amazon.
Getting Your Book Published 101
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Indianapolis Christian Writers Conference was superb again this year! Most writers go to conferences because they want to write and publish a book. The Indy conference organizers (Wesleyan Publishing House) provided the usual workshops and private appointments. But, they went the extra mile by providing each conferee with a free guide to publication, Keith Drury’s new A Brief Guide for Writers. Read on to find out how you can enter a drawing for a free copy.
Author Keith Drury is Associate Professor of Religion and Philsophy at Wesley Seminary (Indiana Wesleyan University). Don’t let the professor label scare you. He is a down-to-earth person and a great writing teacher.
Publisher’s book description: “Practical help for writers who want to move ‘the ideas swirling about in my head’ to a final manuscript that will get published. Packed with dozens of tips and hints, this book gives step-by-step instructions on preparing a manuscript so it will shine and be noticed by editors and publishers. This veteran author offers advice on where to get ideas, how to organize them, and then how to turn ideas into a worthy book or article.
Brief Guide for Writers demystifies the publishing business for beginning writers, explaining each step of the process including making an outline, preparing the proposal, signing a contract, checking galleys, and revising future editions of your book. A sample style sheet is included so you will know what publishers want and expect. Written in an easy-to-understand conversational style, this book is a primer for someone who has a book or article idea and needs the information and the motivation to get those ideas into a manuscript that will become a published work.”
The book lives up to its description. It is available from Triangle Publishing. You can also get Brief Guide for Writers
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Brief Guide Giveaway: I have a copy to give away to one lucky reader. Here’s how to enter the drawing: please e-mail me at akinemily@gmail.com with enter book giveaway in the subject line. Please also give your name somewhere in the e-mail. Deadline for entries is Saturday, November 26, 2011, 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. I’ll draw one name and contact the winner for mailing address (U.S. addresses only). I’ll ship the book via medial mail as soon as I can.
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Bonus: Wesleyan writer, editor, pastor, Jim Watkins also shares his expertise on book publishing on his blog: http://www.jameswatkins.com/bookwriting.htm
Legal Stuff: I received this book free with conference registration at Indianapolis Christian Writers Conference. I was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Book Review: Polishing the PUGS
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Before I became a writer, I thought a PUGS were dogs. But now, thanks to author Kathy Ide, I know that PUGS is a mnemonic device for Punctuation, Usage, Grammar, and Spelling.
How should I describe Polishing the PUGS? It is the CliffsNotes of style books for writers seeking to get their work published. As an editor, Kathy Ide has been on the front lines correcting PUGS errors for years. She has compiled the most common mistakes writers make into one easy-to-use resource, and it’s available in CD format or as a book.
Are commas a problem for you? Go to the table of contents, find the “Commas” chapter, and get a quick punctuation lesson. Because The Chicago Manual of Style is the standard for book publishers, Kathy gives the Chicago rules first. The Associated Press Style Manual is the standard for newspapers and magazines. She provides AP Style rules that disagree with Chicago in a text box on the same page.
In the front matter, you’ll find a list of the style/reference books used by professional publishers. Don’t miss the “Ten Reasons to Polish Your PUGS” article, either. Read it and take it to heart. Your PUGS must be polished if you want to be published!
This is the second edition. Although I had the first edition, I knew I didn’t want to be without the new one because of changes in the style manuals themselves. AP Style changes occur constantly, and they publish a new book annually. The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition, was published in 2010.
If you don’t have Polishing the PUGS, you need to get one for yourself. Consider giving it as a gift to other aspiring writers. Visit Kathy’s Web site for more information and to buy the book. Click here to purchase on Amazon.
Kathy offers online classes through The Christian PEN, a professional support organization for those who do proofreading and editing work for the public and for publishing companies. See details about the classes here.
Book Review: The 11 Secrets of Getting Published by Mary DeMuth
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Do you want to be published? Do you need a step-by-step guide on how to do it? Mary DeMuth has produced this affordable e-book to help you get started on your writing journey.
Like many published authors, Mary often had people ask her how she did it. For two years, she maintained www.wannabepublished.blogspot.com, a blog that she hoped would answer “any and every question” you have about getting published. Although the blog is still out there for those who want to browse, this new e-book is a better, more organized source for the information. (more…)
Book Review Blogging: The Good, the Bad, and the Uncertain
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How can a book review blog help you promote your writing? Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? When I started my book review blog in June of 2007, I didn’t plan to use it for anything other than sharing my thoughts about the books I was reading. But, now I’m getting free books to review and the traffic from the book review blog has helped increase the traffic to my website. (more…)
Robert’s Rules of Writing by Robert Masello
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Are you ready to work on your writing techniques? This book will help you do it in easy-to-swallow doses. Robert’s Rules of Writing is subtitled: “101 Unconventional Lessons Every Writer Needs to Know. On the back cover, there is a second subtitle: “But No One Has Ever Told You.”
Masello is a prolific professional writer, and he makes no bones about the fact that writing is work. Each rule is about two pages long, great for those of us with short attention spans. The first rule shocked me out of my socks: “Burn your journal.” After I recovered, I read on. “If you’re serious about writing—burn your journal and get to work.” His point is that journaling has its place, but, if you want to turn out publishable material, you have to plan, research, and organize as you write. Journaling might give you ideas, but it will not get your work published.
Every rule is useful, although some may go against what you have been taught. There is no “filler.” I read about half the book in one sitting. Then, I decided to read one every day to keep Masello’s “get real” advice uppermost in my mind. At first, I thought it was just for laughs, but he is serious about sharing with other writers the techniques and attitudes that have worked for him.
The book is not for beginners. In the introduction, Masello states that he assumes that you “know the basic principles already and that you don’t need a lecture on how to feel good about yourself.”
Check it out on Amazon. Sample the book using the “Look Inside” feature. Complete table of contents is shown, plus sample chapters.
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Book Review: For the Write Reason
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First, I need to report the results of last week’s survey. Of the subscribers who participated, the majority have no preference regarding subject matter on Blog4Writers. Second choice was random topics. Just one person preferred series of articles on a single topic. So, today, I’m giving you a book report, which I have not done for a while.
For the Write Reason: Subtitle is 31 Writers, Agents and Editors Share Their Experiences With Christian Publishing.
Imagine having a different editor, agent or published writer to sit down with you each day and share their experience in the Christian publishing industry. That’s what you get with For the Write Reason. Read a chapter a day for a month and get more person-to person inspiration than you’d ever get at a writers’ conference.
Each chapter begins with a personal story from someone who has succeeded in the publishing industry, sometimes in first person and sometimes in interview format. They share their successes, but they also describe their failures, disappointments, and doubts. The 31 chapters offer advice on topics every aspiring writer must deal with at some point. Examples are: “Born to Write” and “Confirming God’s Call.” Chapters close with Bible readings and an inspirational/devotional message. Finally, the writer challenges you to action with a question or “homework” assignment for the day. Also included are a number of appendices with practical information on how to get your work published.
Although the book is designed as a daily study or devotional, I think you’ll find it useful as a reference. The titles of the chapters will help you to identify stories that might be most helpful to you at any given time. Since it was published in 2005, you might think it contains old information. Don’t let that stop you from finding your own copy of this book. The basics are still the same.
General editor, Marybeth Whalen, is a writer-speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Having received encouragement from other writers on her quest for publication, Marybeth wanted to pass it on to the next generation of Christian writers.
Buy it on Amazon at this link:
For the Write Reason: 31 Writers, Agents and Editors Share Their Experiences with Christian Publishing
See my other reviews on books about writing here.
Book Review: Teach Yourself Grammar and Style
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Full title: Macmillan Teach Yourself Grammar and Style in 24 Hours, by Pamela Rice Hahn and Dennis E. Hensley, Ph.D., published by Pearson Education Macmillan USA, 2000.
Have you wanted to attend a writers’ conference but couldn’t afford it? Have you considered online courses but passed on them for the same reason? Consider getting a copy of this book, and give yourself a thorough workshop on the basics of writing. Although the title may intimidate you, the book is not boring and pedantic. It’s designed for anyone needing a review of grammar basics, but it also targets those who need to improve their writing.
You may be wondering what’s the difference between grammar and style. The first sentence in the first chapter explains, “Grammar is the study of sentence structure and the rules that govern it.” “Style” means “a distinctive manner of expression,” according to Merriam Webster. The first 12 chapters give you grounding in grammar, while the rest of the book helps you develop your style.
The title says you can accomplish your study in 24 hours. Sounds amazing? Well, you won’t be able to do it overnight, unless you just don’t sleep at all. Each chapter is constructed so that you can study and absorb the material in one hour. Then you take the multiple-choice test. If you do one chapter a day, you can finish in 24 days. Do two chapters a day and be done in 12 days. Maybe it’s not “quick and easy,” but it is effective.
The book offers several appendices with tables, resources, lists, and a detailed index. If you’re a published writer or one who wants to get work published, this book will be a good refresher course. It’s available both new and used on Amazon.
Preview the book on Google books.
Book Review: Creativity and Divine Surprise
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Subtitle: Finding the Place of Your Resurrection. Author: Karla M. Kincannon. Published by Upper Room Books, 2005.
Author Kincannon makes the most of her roles as artist and United Methodist minister in this wonderful “tour” of the creative process. Written for artists, the principles apply equally to writers. The chapters are organized to take you from the beginning of the creative process all the way to the end, giving instruction and encouragement all along the way.
Because the Amazon listing does not have the “look inside” feature, I’ll share the table of contents with you. Chapters are: Invitation, Encounter, Preparation, Frustration, Incubation, Illumination, and Elaboration. Organized as a study book, each chapter begins with an inspirational quote and ends with an exercise. If you are a writer instead of an artist, you can do the exercises with a journal, pen, colored markers, and some type of art paper. I confess that I read the book, but I have yet to do the exercises.
At times I felt that Kincannon was talking directly to me. She identified all the things that keep me from being creative. She addresses the feelings of inadequacy and even incompetence that all artists feel now and then. Her discussion of perfectionism hit home for me. She pointed out that perfectionists “need a reaction from others to form their identity.” She said each new inspiration we receive is a gift from God, an invitation to a “new life of creativity in partnership with God.” The creative process is a reflection of life itself—birth, struggle, death, rebirth.
Being an artist/writer is not easy—but you knew that. Get this book and study through it, letting the lessons help you organize your thoughts. Soak up the encouragement that each pages offers. It’s well worth the time and effort.
Check it out on Amazon: Creativity and Divine Surprise: Finding the Place of Your Resurrection
Post script: Check out my Store page where you’ll find my work for sale as well as Donna Goodrich’s A Step in the Write Direction for sale.
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