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Becoming a Writer
 
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Becoming a Writer (Paperback)

by Malcolm Bradbury (Foreword), Dorothea Brande (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • 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: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 46,751 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #8 in  Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > B > Bradbury, Malcom

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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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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
5 star:
 (12)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Don't think about it - buy it., 11 Jun 2005
By Rp Garner (Nottingham, England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Becoming a Writer (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.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for motivating and understanding yourself., 6 Sep 2000
By A Customer
When I read this book I felt as if DB was talking about me. Almost everything she said seemed to relate directly to my own experience. She mentions stages I know I have passed through, and problems I experience now. I felt as if she was a friend who really understood - who was willing to take me by the hand and explain to me the mysteries of a writer's psyche, and how to harness my talent. Unlike other books on writing I have read I really didn't want to put it down - I felt addicted to her wisdom and the crystal clarity of her insights. I have heard many people recommend this book, and once I had read it I understood why. If you want to write fiction, I really think you should read it too.
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32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Simple the best book on becoming a writier, ever., 30 Aug 2000
By A Customer
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

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for all new (and old) writers
This is the single most valuable, and important source of advice on writing that money can buy. Brande's book is ageless, and will serve you well througout your career. Read more
Published 2 months ago by A writer in London

3.0 out of 5 stars Dated advice
Originally published in 1934, and it shows. The writing style is a touch archaic, and ever so middle class. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Budge Burgess

3.0 out of 5 stars All that Writing Jazz
Books that teach you how to write fiction are almost a genre unto themselves. Some are literary (A Passion for Narrative) and some are trash (How to Write a Blockbuster), but most... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Oliver Redfern

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on writing you'll ever read
I don't why you can't add this book other than through the Amazon Marketplace. Is the book out of print? If this is the case, then this is truly sad. Read more
Published on 19 Jun 2007 by monkeyboy0709

5.0 out of 5 stars in two minds
Dorothea Brande's 1934 classic best-seller is about how to harness 'flow' as this is the key to great writing. Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2007 by George Clark

4.0 out of 5 stars If you want to be a writer, then you need to read "Becoming a Writer"
This book will not tell you how to write a great novel. Nor the secrets to plot and character development. Read more
Published on 12 April 2007 by Sam J. Ruddock

5.0 out of 5 stars The classic first book for wannabe writers
There are so many how-to books for aspiring writers, but this is far and away the best for the beginner at the outset of the writing journey. Read more
Published on 21 Sep 2006 by a reader

5.0 out of 5 stars The One, The Only Writer's Guide
There is only one guide on how to become a fully fledged writer of fiction and this is it. The rest are footnotes. Read more
Published on 13 April 2006 by Mr. Not Myrealname

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for your bookshelf
First published in 1934 this wonderful book on becoming a writer is brilliant for writers at any stage in their career. Read more
Published on 3 Jul 2005

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT MOTIVATIONAL BOOK
Despite the fact that this book was written in 1934 it is perhaps one of the most useful books to have on your bookshelf in terms of writing. Read more
Published on 20 Nov 2000 by P. Bourke

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