- Paperback: 173 pages
- Publisher: Pan Books; New edition edition (8 Mar 1996)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0333653777
- ISBN-13: 978-0333653777
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14 x 1.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 254,278 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Refreshingly slim, beautifully written and deliciously elegant, Dorothea Brande's Becoming a Writer remains evergreen decades after it was first written. Brande believed passionately that although people have varying amounts of talent, anyone can write. It's just a question of finding the "writer's magic"--a degree of which is in us all. She also insists that writing can be both taught and learned. So she is enraged by the pessimistic authors of so many writing books who rejoice in trying to put off the aspiring writer by constantly stressing how difficult it all is.
With close reference to the great writers of her day--Wolfe, Forster, Wharton and so on--Brande gives practical but inspirational advice about finding the right time of day to write and being very self disciplined about it--"You have decided to write at four o'clock, and at four o'clock you must write." She's strong on confidence building and there's a lot about cheating your unconscious which will constantly try to stop you writing by coming up with excuses. Then there are exercises to help you get into the right frame of mind and to build up writing stamina.
This edition comes with an informative foreword by the late Malcolm Bradbury, a man who knew a thing or two about teaching writing, having pioneered the innovative MA course in creative writing at the University of East Anglia which nurtured, among many other writers, Rose Tremain, Ian McEwan and Kazuo Ishiguro. It's a pity, however, that Brande (and Bradbury) define "writing" so narrowly. They refer only to novels and short stories--ignoring biography, travel writing, plays, poems, essays and reportage. In fact, Brande is unreasonably dismissive of journalism as if it were just an uncreative, prostituted form of "real" writing. --Susan Elkin
Product Description
This guide to becoming a writer was originally published in 1934. It focuses not just on plotting techniques or prose style, but on the process of developing the habits and discipline of a writer, with beating writer's block, reading to improve one's writing, and other psychological techniques.
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First Sentence
So, having made my apologies, and stated my belief, I am going, from now on, to address myself solely to those who hope to write. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
So, having made my apologies, and stated my belief, I am going, from now on, to address myself solely to those who hope to write. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
80 of 82 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I can't believe I'm the first person to reivew this book which has to be one of the best known and best loved of all 'how to' books ever written. It does not tell you how to write - it tells you how to become a writer and it's probably best to read it before you start writing. It tells you how to balance your writing life with the rest of your life, and how to keep your editorial self and your creative self working in harmony. It gives you exercises to develop the writing habit and, quite early on, it does something so brave, I've not seen it repeated in any other guide. It tells you, if you can't manage the exercises, to stop.
"If you fail repeatedly at this exercise, give up writing. Your resistance is actually greater than your desire to write, and you may as well find some other outlet for your energy early as late."
Right, now why was that so refreshing? Becuase she wrote it in 1934 and we're no longer used to such straight talking. Almost makes you feel like a grown up.
"If you fail repeatedly at this exercise, give up writing. Your resistance is actually greater than your desire to write, and you may as well find some other outlet for your energy early as late."
Right, now why was that so refreshing? Becuase she wrote it in 1934 and we're no longer used to such straight talking. Almost makes you feel like a grown up.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book will not tell you how to write a great novel. Nor the secrets to plot and character development. What this book will do is help you make the most of those tendencies that impel you to want to write. Written in the 1920's and still popular now, this is a vital tool for those wanting to enhance whatever compulsion to write that they already possess. Buy this book and begin to write. You never know where it will get you. And never, ever, let technical quandries mire your creative spirit.
42 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have been a published writer for eight years, and I must have read a mountain of books on writing. Dorothea Brande's book is without any question the most helpful of them all.
I would go as far as saying it is the ONLY book that has made any real impact on my work. If you have always wanted to be a writer but have lacked a certain confidence, or energy, read this book. If you are already a successful writer but find your work a stuggle, read this book.
Dorothea Brande is a very clever woman who shows in her book an unmatched understanding of the psychology of a writer - and uses this understanding to expertly encouage the reader's development. A strict but nurturing teacher, many great writers have and will benefit from her work.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
excellent
This book doesn't give very information on what to write or how to write in terms of plot or grammar. Read more
Published 8 days ago by diabllo
unexpectedly intriguing and captivating
An unexpectedly intriguing and captivating book.
Unexpected, due to the unique content. Certainly not another 'this is how you write' book. Read more
Unexpected, due to the unique content. Certainly not another 'this is how you write' book. Read more
Published 5 months ago by David Briddock
Becoming a writer
Becomin a writer by Dorothea Brant is an excellent book written with humility and insight. The authour has drawn on her own experience as both writer and teacher.
Published 5 months ago by shukran
Becoming a Writer
This book won't tell you how to develop a plot or define a character, but it will get you writing if that's what you want to do. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Val, Hertsmere
A frank, concise and practical advice
I cannot recommend this title highly enough for anyone wanting to become a writer but keep postponing writing the first page or the first sentence! Read more
Published 9 months ago by S. MOHAMADI
Still strong with advices
This book won't make you instantly a great writer, but contains few good and everlasting advices. Bit of a help, even after so many decades - yet, after all, only names changed,... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mr. J. M. Zielinski
Wonderful book
Wonderful book, excellent value - still one of the best books to have been written about how to be a writer.
Published 19 months ago by CCB
The Holy Grail of How To Write books
As a journalist, I was extremely sceptical when a friend recommended this book to me. Previously, I had always sneered at 'how to' books, believing that if you needed to read about... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Vanilla Cherry
The Best Place To Start
Initially, I purchased this book simply because it was recommended to me by an author I respect dearly. Read more
Published on 26 May 2010 by D. Berry
An old book with some refreshing new ideas?
I was intrigued to read Dorothea Brande's "Becoming A Writer" because even though I write - and write about writing - non-fiction, I find there is a lot of merit in learning about... Read more
Published on 14 Mar 2010 by Suzan St Maur
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